Collection of Data — Economics STD 11 Commerce — Question

Questionnaire must be examined and edited if necessary.Statistical enquiry refers to an investigation on a topic by any agency or an individual which involves quantitative facts. In other words, statistical enquiry implies search of truth by using statistical tools. All statistical enquiries involve collection of data, their organization, presentation, analysis and interpretation. Collection of data is the foundation of all other exercises involved in undertaking a statistical enquiry. Organization, presentation and analysis all will become futile if there is any defect in data collected. Therefore it is of utmost importance in a statistical enquiry. An investigator whether it be an individual or an agency has to plan all stages of data collection much in advance. He has to move step by step. Given below are some of the major steps in collection of data.
Develop a complete plan for survey: It is important to draw a complete plan for a statistical survey before we start collecting data actually. The statistician 25 has to plan three things.

1. What data to be obtained;
2. From whom data are to be obtained
3. By what methods the data are to be obtained-primary or secondary.

He also has to decide the expenditure to be incurred and time availability. The expenditure and the time period will determine most of the subsequent steps he has to take.

1. Decide whether to adopt census method or sample method: For conducting survey on any issue, the investigator has two options: sample and census. Which method will depend on budget, availability of time and accuracy requirement?
2. Preparing Questionnaire: Designing the questionnaire is influenced by many considerations like number of questions to be included, language of questions, types of questions, ordering of the questions etc. we shall discuss it in detail later in this chapter under the heading "construction of a questionnaire".
3. Mode of Distribution of Questionnaire: There are different ways in which questionnaire can be sent. It can be personal or by post or by e mail. In personal it can be filled either by respondent or enumerator. These methods have also been discussed in detail later in the chapter.
4. Check the filled in forms for completeness and consistency: It is the last stage in collection of data. This stage comes when duly filled forms are returned by the respondents. Each