Primary data collection definition pdf

When the questions are administered by a researcher, the survey is called a structured interview or a researcher- administered survey. Observations: Observation as one of the primary sources of data. Observation is a technique for obtaining information involves measuring variables or gathering of data necessary for measuring the variable under investigation. Observation is defined as accurate watching and noting of phenomena as they occur in nature with regards to cause and effect relation.

Interviews can be undertaken on a personal one-to-one basis or in a group. Questionnaires: Questionnaire as one of the primary sources of data is an observational technique which comprises series of items presented to a respondent in a written form, in which the individual is expected to respond in writing. Here the respondents are given list of written items which he responds to by ticking the one he considers appropriate.

While secondary sources means data collected by someone else earlier. Secondary data are the data collected by a party not related to the research study but collected these data for some other purpose and at different time in the past.

If the researcher uses these data then these become secondary data for the current users. Sources of secondary data are government publications websites, books, journal articles, internal records. As opposed to secondary data which is easily accessible but are not pure as they have undergone through many statistical treatments.

Creating models in psychological research. Etats-Unis: Springer press. Wikipedia Data-wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. After giving the required responses, the survey is given back to the researcher to record.

It is advisable to conduct a pilot study where the questionnaires are filled by experts and meant to assess the weakness of the questions or techniques used.

There are 2 main types of surveys used for data collection, namely; online and offline surveys. Online surveys are carried out using internet-enabled devices like mobile phones, PCs, Tablets, etc.

They can be shared with respondents through email, websites, or social media. Offline surveys, on the other hand, do not require an internet connection for them to be carried out. The most common type of offline survey is a paper-based survey. However, there are also offline surveys like Formplus that can be filled with a mobile device without access to an internet connection.

This kind of survey is called online-offline surveys because they can be filled offline but require an internet connection to be submitted. The observation method is mostly used in studies related to behavioral science. The researcher uses observation as a scientific tool and method of data collection. Observation as a data collection tool is usually systematically planned and subjected to checks and controls.

There are different approaches to the observation method—structured or unstructured, controlled or uncontrolled, and participant, non-participant, or disguised approach. The structured and unstructured approach is characterized by careful definition of subjects of observation, style of observer, conditions, and selection of data.

An observation process that satisfies this is said to be structured and vice versa. A controlled and uncontrolled approach signifies whether the research took place in a natural setting or according to some pre-arranged plans. If an observation is done in a natural setting, it is uncontrolled but becomes controlled if done in a laboratory.

Before employing a new teacher, academic institutions sometimes ask for a sample teaching class to test the teacher's ability. The evaluator joins the class and observes the teaching, making him or her a participant. The evaluation may also decide to observe from outside the class, becoming a non-participant. An evaluator may also be asked to stay in class and disguise as a student, to carry out a disguised observation. Focus Groups are gathering of 2 or more people with similar characteristics or who possess common traits.

They seek open-ended thoughts and contributions from participants. A focus group is a primary source of data collection because the data is collected directly from the participant. It is commonly used for market research, where a group of market consumers engages in a discussion with a research moderator. It is slightly similar to interviews, but this involves discussions and interactions rather than questions and answers.

Focus groups are less formal and the participants are the ones who do most of the talking, with moderators there to oversee the process. An experiment is a structured study where the researchers attempt to understand the causes, effects, and processes involved in a particular process. This data collection method is usually controlled by the researcher, who determines which subject is used, how they are grouped, and the treatment they receive. During the first stage of the experiment, the researcher selects the subject which will be considered.

Therefore, some actions are carried out on these subjects, while the primary data consisting of the actions and reactions are recorded by the researcher.

After which they will be analyzed and a conclusion will be drawn from the result of the analysis. Although experiments can be used to collect different types of primary data, it is mostly used for data collection in the laboratory.

Primary data can be collocated with Formplus using online surveys or questionnaires. Therefore, we will be showing you how to use a questionnaire to collect primary data on Formplus. You can choose to either create a questionnaire from scratch or take advantage of the available templates from Formplus.

Follow the following steps to create a question. Alternatively, you can go to the Templates tab, type your query into the search text box, then click on the search icon.

Tailor your questionnaire to suit the needs of the type of research being carried out. After satisfactorily editing your forms, the next step is to collect the primary data needed for your research. To do this, you need to share your questionnaire with the sample population who are going to respond to the questions.

There are different ways of sharing questionnaires with participants. You can copy the form link, share it directly to your social media platforms, or share the QR code.

For unique identification, you can also edit the form link with specific keywords. Start Collecting Data with Formplus. When discussing the advantages of primary data over secondary data, a lot of examples can be sighted.

This is because primary data has vast uses in research, statistics, and even business. Collecting your own data allows you the freedom to address issues specific to your business, or research aim. In this case, the data collected is exactly what the researcher wants and needs. The researcher reports it in a way that benefits the current situation of the organization or research.

For example, when doing market research for a product, the data collected will be specifically for the product in question. Primary data is much more accurate compared to secondary data. For example, when collecting statistical data from online sources, you are at risk of coming across false data. This is because the data available online is not regulated, unlike the data you collect yourself.

This is very common in journalism, where blogs share unverified and exaggerated information just to gain cheap traffic. The data collected through a primary source is usually owned by the researcher, who may choose to either share or not share with others. In the market research example stated earlier, researchers may keep the results to themselves and not give access to their competitors who may want to use the information.

Also, a researcher can choose to sell the data to make a huge amount of money because they own it. The data collected from primary sources are up-to-date, unlike that of the secondary sources.

It collects data in real-time and does not take information from stale and outdated sources. For example, when the population of a community is something that continues to fluctuate as people die and children are born. The sample is selected by some of the different types of sampling methods and techniques. Advantages of primary data:. Secondary data is the data that have been already collected for another purpose but has some relevance to your research needs.

In addition, the data is collected by someone else instead of the researcher himself. Secondary data is second-hand information. It is not used for the first time. That is why it is called secondary. Secondary data sources provide valuable interpretations and analysis based on primary sources. They may explain in detail primary sources and often uses them to support a specific thesis or a point of view.

Most common examples of secondary data sources are:. Advantages of Secondary Data:. As you see, there is a significant difference between primary data and secondary data. Still, both types have their key benefits and applications.

Which type to choose? The choice between primary and secondary data in marketing research depends on several considerations such as: the purpose of the research; availability of financial resources and time; the degree of precision required and etc.

Silvia Valcheva is a digital marketer with over a decade of experience creating content for the tech industry.

She has a strong passion for writing about emerging software and technologies such as big data, AI Artificial Intelligence , IoT Internet of Things , process automation, etc.

This is a nice piece! It has helped me to know the difference between primary and secondary data. Thank you. Thanks for sharing the significant information. It helped me and will help others a lot. Thanks for sharing helpful information, i wish to keep doing it and best of luck. Currently you have JavaScript disabled. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page.

Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. On this page you will learn: What is primary data and what is secondary data?

Primary data vs secondary data: sources, advantages, and disadvantages. What is Primary data? Sources, Advantages, and Disadvantages.

Primary data is the original data — from the first source. It is like raw material. Most popular examples of primary data sources are : Interview personal interview, telephone, e-mail Self-administered surveys and questionnaires Field observation Experiments Life histories Action research Case studies Diary entries, letters, and other correspondence Eyewitness accounts Ethnographic research Personal narratives, memoirs In fact, the source of primary data is the population sample from which you gather your data.

Advantages of primary data: Resolve specific research issues Performing your own research allows you to address and resolve issues specific to your own business situation.