Primary Data
INTRODUCTION TO THE TOPIC:
Primary research is any type of research that we go out and collect ourselves. Examples include surveys, interviews and observations. In other words information that has been collected at first hand is called primary research. It involves measurement of some sort, whether by taking readings off instruments, sketching, counting, or conducting interviews.
Conducting primary research is a useful skill to acquire as it can greatly supplement our research in secondary sources, such as journals, magazines, or books. We can also use it as the focus of our writing project. In primary data collection, we collect the data ourselves by using methods such as interviews and questionnaires. The key point here is that the data we collect is unique to us and our research and, until we publish, no one else has access to it.
There are many methods of collecting primary data and the main methods include:
• QUESTIONNAIRES
• INTERVIEWS
• FOCUS GROUP INTERVIEWS
• SURVYES
• OBSERVATION
• DIARIES
• ANALYSING THE DATA
The primary data, which is generated by the above methods, may be qualitative in nature usually in the form of words or quantitative usually in the form of numbers or where we can make counts of words used. Following is the detail of above mentioned methods of collecting primary data.
QUESTIONNAIRES:
Questionnaire is one of the most important forms of collecting data, but it is difficult to design and it requires many rewrites before a suitable questionnaire is shaped.
PLAN OF QUESTIONNAIRES:
Following is the way to design the best questionnaires.
Subject and covering note:
The general theme of the questionnaire should be made open in a covering letter. We should state who we are; why the data is required; give, if necessary, an assurance of confidentiality or secrecy; and contact number and address or telephone number. This ensures that the respondents know what they are committing themselves to, and also
Primary research is any type of research that we go out and collect ourselves. Examples include surveys, interviews and observations. In other words information that has been collected at first hand is called primary research. It involves measurement of some sort, whether by taking readings off instruments, sketching, counting, or conducting interviews.
Conducting primary research is a useful skill to acquire as it can greatly supplement our research in secondary sources, such as journals, magazines, or books. We can also use it as the focus of our writing project. In primary data collection, we collect the data ourselves by using methods such as interviews and questionnaires. The key point here is that the data we collect is unique to us and our research and, until we publish, no one else has access to it.
There are many methods of collecting primary data and the main methods include:
• QUESTIONNAIRES
• INTERVIEWS
• FOCUS GROUP INTERVIEWS
• SURVYES
• OBSERVATION
• DIARIES
• ANALYSING THE DATA
The primary data, which is generated by the above methods, may be qualitative in nature usually in the form of words or quantitative usually in the form of numbers or where we can make counts of words used. Following is the detail of above mentioned methods of collecting primary data.
QUESTIONNAIRES:
Questionnaire is one of the most important forms of collecting data, but it is difficult to design and it requires many rewrites before a suitable questionnaire is shaped.
PLAN OF QUESTIONNAIRES:
Following is the way to design the best questionnaires.
Subject and covering note:
The general theme of the questionnaire should be made open in a covering letter. We should state who we are; why the data is required; give, if necessary, an assurance of confidentiality or secrecy; and contact number and address or telephone number. This ensures that the respondents know what they are committing themselves to, and also