Data Sources Types I Data collection methods

The sources of data can be classified into two types: statistical and non-statistical. Statistical sources refer to data that is gathered for some official purposes, incorporate censuses, and officially administered surveys. Non-statistical sources refer to the collection of data for other administrative purposes or for the private sector. Internal sources When data is collected from reports and records of the organization itself, they are known as the internal sources. For example, a company publishes its annual report’ on profit and loss, total sales, loans, wages, etc. External sources When data is collected from sources outside the organisation, they are known as the external sources. For example, if a tour and travel company obtains information on Northern areas tourism from Capital Transport Corporation, it would be known as an external source of data. Primary data Primary data is a type of data that is collected by researchers directly from main sources through interviews, surveys, experiments, etc. Primary data are usually collected from the source—where the data originally originates from and are regarded as the best kind of data in research. It is collected for the first time. It is original and more reliable. For example, the population census conducted by the government of Pakistan after every ten years is primary data. Primary data collection methods are different ways in which primary data can be collected. It explains the tools used in collecting primary data, some of which are highlighted below: Interviews   Surveys & Questionnaires Focus Groups Observation Experiments Secondary data is the data that has been collected in the past by someone else but made available for others to use. They are usually once primary data but become secondary when used by a third party. Secondary data are known to be readily available compared to that of primary data. It requires very little research and needs for manpower to use these sources. With the advent of electronic media and the internet, secondary data sources have become more easily accessible. Some of these sources are highlighted below. Books Published Sources Un published Sources Journals Newspapers Websites Blogs Diaries Government records Podcasts Some other sources of data collection include: Letters Radio stations Public sector records. Secondary data are usually easily accessible to researchers and individuals because they are mostly shared publicly. This, however, means that the data are usually general and not tailored specifically to meet the researcher's needs as primary data does. #DataSourcesTypes #DifferentSourcesOfDataCollection #DataSources #DataTypes #DataCollectionMethods #PrimaryData #SecondaryData #PrimaryDataSources #SecondaryDataSources #Research #ResearchMethods #LearningAndSharing #SaadRahoojo #UPSC #CSS #PMS #Study #SindhUniversity