Methods of Collecting Primary Data

Experiment. An experiment is a controlled study in which the researcher attempts to understand cause-and-effect relationships. The study is “controlled” in the sense that the researcher controls (1) how subjects are assigned to groups and (2) which treatments each group receives.

The data from the experiment shows what the hypothesis predicted and further experiments should continue to show similar results unless the experiment is changed. The data from the experiment shows something other than what the hypothesis predicted and the hypothesis should be revised before further testing is done.

• Direct personal investigation.
• Indirect oral investigation.
• Information through correspondents.
• Telephonic interview.
• Mailed questionnaire.
• The questionnaire filled by enumerators.

Primary data is a type of data that is collected by researchers directly from main sources through interviews, surveys, experiments, etc. For example, when doing a market survey, the goal of the survey and the sample population need to be identified first.

Primary Data: It is a term for data collected at source. This type of information is obtained directly from first hand sources by means of surveys, observations and experimentation and not subjected to any processing or manipulation and also called primary data.

Which of the following is an advantage of primary data? They answer specific research questions that secondary data cannot answer. Gathering primary data is less expensive than gathering secondary data. They answer specific research questions that secondary data cannot answer.

Primary research is extremely important for businesses or organizations because it helps them to gather first-hand information about the needs of the market. The findings from primary research provide great insights and they usually inform product development and similar changes in organizational policies.

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Secondary Data

• Ease of access. The secondary data sources are very easy to access.
• Low cost or free.
• Time-saving.
• Allow you to generate new insights from previous analysis.
• Longitudinal analysis.
• Anyone can collect the data.
• A huge amount of secondary data with a wide variety of sources.

The biggest advantage of using secondary data is economics. Someone else has already collected the data, so the researcher does not have to devote money, time, energy, and other resources to this phase of research.