Syed Ahmed Noman 0923BBA00995 Shamim

Mahafuzur Rahman 0923BBA00987

Sazzad Alam Abdussalam

Aminul Islam 0923BBA00995

There are several methods of collecting primary data, particularly in surveys and descriptive researches. Important ones are:
Observation method Interview method Through questionnaires Through schedules and Other methods which include

Under the observation method, the information is sought by way of investigators own direct observation without asking from the respondent.

Disadvantage Advantage

Firstly, subjective bias is eliminated, if Firstly, it is an expensive method. observation is done accurately. Secondly, the information provided by this method Secondly, the information obtained under this is very limited. method relates to what is currently happening; Thirdly, sometimes unforeseen factors may Thirdly, this method is independent of respondents interfere with the observational task. 'willingness to respond

The interview method of collecting data involves presentation of oral-verbal stimuli and reply in terms of oral-verbal responses. This method can be used through personal interviews and, if possible, through telephone interviews.

Personal interviews:

Telephone interviews:

Personal interview This method of collecting method requires a person information consists in known as the interviewer contacting respondents asking questions on telephone face-togenerally in aitself. face contact to the other person or persons

 It is a very his own skill can overcome the resistance, if any, Interviewer by expensive method, specially when large of thewidely spread geographical sample is taken. and respondents;

Disadvantage Advantage

The interview method can be made to yield an almost perfect This method is relatively more-time-consuming, sample of the general population.

specially when the sample is large and recalls upon the There is greater flexibility under this method as the opportunity to respondents are necessary stimulate the respondent, Personal information can as well be obtained easily under this method.

restructure questions is always there, specially in case of unstructured interviews. interviewer on the spot may overThe presence of the

Under the interview method the organization required Samples can be controlled more effectively the field-staff is for selecting, training and supervising as there arises no difficulty of the missing returns; more complex with formidable problems.
The interviewer can usually control which person(s) will answer Interviewing at times may introduce systematic error the questions.

 Little time is given to respondents for considered answers; interview period comparison to exceed five is not likely to mailing It is more flexible in minutes in most cases.

Disadvantage Advantage

method.

Surveys are restricted to respondents who have telephone It is faster than other methods i.e., a quick way of facilities.

obtaining information.

Extensive geographical coverage may get restricted by It is cheaper than personal interviewing method cost considerations.

Recall is easy; callbacks aresurveys where It is not suitable for intensive simple and economical. comprehensive answers are required to various questions. There is a higher rate of response
Possibility of the bias of the interviewer is relatively Interviewer can explain requirements more easily. more.

No field staff is required. to the point; probes are Questions have to be short and
difficult to handle.

A questionnaire consists of a number of questions printed or typed in a definite order on a form or set of forms. The questionnaire is mailed to respondents who are expected to read and understand the questions and write down the reply in the space meant for the purpose in the questionnaire itself.

Low rate of return of the duly filled in questionnaires; There is low cost even when the universe is large and It can spread only when respondents are educated is widely be usedgeographically. and cooperating. It is free from the bias of the interviewer There is also the possibility of ambiguous answers. Respondents have adequate time to give replies It is difficult to know whether willing respondents are Large samples can be made use of and thus the truly representative. results can be made more dependable and reliable. This method is likely to be the slowest of all.

Disadvantage Advantage

Quite often questionnaire is considered as the heart of a survey operation. Hence it should be very carefully constructed. Researcher should note the following with regard to these three main aspects of a questionnaire

General form
Structured questionnaires are are those Theorder to make the questionnaire In researcher questionnaires those Unstructured should note that each So far as must be very clear for any sort the form questionnaires in whichquality to the question and generalwhichof aareis no Question sequence effective questionnaires in to ensure there there questionnaire is concerned, it can either definite,received, and researcher should of misunderstanding. Question should replies concrete a pre-determined definite, concrete and pre-determined be structured or unstructured questions. Question formulation also be impartial in order not to give a questions pay attention to the question-sequence questionnaire. of the true state of affairs. biased picture and wording: in preparing the questionnaire.

This method of data collection is very much like the collection of data through questionnaire, with little difference which lies in the fact that schedules are being filled in by the enumerators who are specially appointed for the purpose.

It requires the selection of enumerators to fill up schedules The enumerators should be trained to perform their job well Enumerators should be intelligent They should be honest, sincere, hardworking

This method of data collection is very useful in extensive enquiries and can lead to fairly reliable results.

Questionnaire
1 It is sent through mail to informant 2 It is filled up by the respondent 3 Here, replier is not identically known and clear 4 Its slow process

Scheduling
Schedule is not sent Filled out by the enumerator

Here, identity of respondent is known and clear Information is collected well in time 5 Used only when respondents are Respondents may not be literate literate and cooperative and cooperative 6 Personal contact is generally not Direct personal contact is possible established with respondents.

Warranty cards:

Distributor or store audits: Consumer panels: Use of mechanical devices: Depth interviews:

Depth interviews usually interviews that which are used Warranty cards areare thosepostal sized cardsare designed to discover underlying motives and sample by questioning but A use of of consumer durables not of consumers used The dealersmechanical in such hasdesirescollect information byconsumer panel is essentiallyaudits to widely made towho data are obtained devices a been and are often in interviewed collect information by way areobservation. repeatedly bymotivational research. of indirect means. regarding their products. over a period of time.

Secondary data means data that are already available i.e., they refer to the data which have already been collected and analysed by someone else. Usually published data are available in: various publications by the local govt. various publications by the foreign govt. technical and trade journals; books, magazines and newspapers; reports and publications of various associations connected with business and industry, banks, stock exchanges, etc. public records and statistics, historical documents

Before using secondary data the researcher must be conscious incase of taking secondary data. Secondary data must be reliable , Secondary data must be suitable for the selected tropic, Secondary data must be huge and available.

The case study method is a very popular form of qualitative analysis and involves a careful and complete observation of a social unit, that unit be a person, a family, an institution, a cultural group or even the entire community.

Researcher can take one single social unit or more units The study extends over a long period of time Behavior pattern of the concerning unit is studied directly It is a method of study in depth rather than breadth. Its made complete study of the social unit covering all facets Under this method the approach happens to be qualitative and not quantitative

Nature, scope and object of enquiry Availability of funds Time factor Precision required