This PPT contains a detailed description of Data Collection in Business Research. 1. Definition 2. Types 3. Techniques

1. Research Methodology:
Data Collection

2. Definition
The Data Collection is a process by which the
researcher collects the information from all
the relevant sources to find answers to the
research problem, test the hypothesis and
evaluate the outcome.

3. Types
There are two types of Data Collection
techniques.
1. Primary Data Collection
2. Secondary Data Collection

4. Primary Data Collection
When the data are collected directly by the
researcher for the first time is called as Primary
Data. It is original in nature and is specific to a
research problem under study.
There are various techniques of Primary Data
Collection.

5. Techniques
1. Interview Method
2. Delphi Technique
3. Projective Techniques
4. Focus Group Interview
5. Questionnaire Method

6. Interview Method
It is the most widely used primary data
collection methods wherein the interviewer
asks questions either personally, or through
mail or telephone from the respondents to
obtain the insights of the problem under
study.

7. Delphi Technique
It is a forecasting technique wherein the researcher
elicits the information from the panel of experts
either personally or through a questionnaire sent
through the mail. Here, each expert in his respective
field is asked to give their opinions on the problem
concerned and the consolidated view of all is used
to reach for the most accurate answer.

8. Projective Technique
The projective techniques are the unstructured and an
indirect interview method used where the respondents are
reluctant to give answers if the objective is disclosed. In
order to deal with such situation, the respondents are
provided with the incomplete stimulus and are required to
complete it through which their underlying motivations,
attitudes, opinions, feelings, etc. related to the concerned
issue gets revealed. Some of the following projective
techniques are used to discover the ‘whys’ of the market and
the consumer behaviour:

9. Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)
Here the respondent is presented with
multiple pictures and then is asked to
describe what he think the pictures
represent.

10. Role Playing
Under this method, the respondents are
given the imaginary situations and are asked
to enact in a way they would have if the
situation is real.

11. Cartoon Completion
Here the respondents are shown the cartoon
pictures comprising of two or more
characters and then are asked to give their
ideas and opinions about the characters.

12. Word Association
Here the researcher provides a set of words
to the respondent and then ask them to tell
what comes to their mind when they hear a
particular word.

13. Sentence Completion
The researcher provides the incomplete
sentences to the respondents and asks them
to complete it. This is done to check the ideas
of the respondents.

14. Focus Group Interview
It is one of the widely used data collection methods
wherein a small group of people, usually 6-12
members come together to discuss the common areas
of the problem. Here each individual is required to
provide his insights on the issue concerned and reach
to a unanimous decision. In this interview, there is a
moderator who regulates the discussion among the
group members.

15. Questionnaire Method
Questionnaire is the most evident method of data
collection, which is comprised of a set of questions
related to the research problem. This method is very
convenient in case the data are to be collected from
the diverse population. It mainly includes the
printed set of questions, either open-ended or
closed-ended, which the respondents are required
to answer on the basis of their knowledge and
experience with the issue concerned.

16. Secondary Data Collection
When the data are collected by someone else for a purpose
other than the researcher’s current project and has already
undergone the statistical analysis is called as Secondary
Data.
The secondary data are readily available from the other
sources and as such, there are no specific collection
methods. The researcher can obtain data from the sources
both internal and external to the organization.

17. The internal sources of secondary data are:
• Sales Report
• Financial Statements
• Customer details, like name, age, contact details,
etc.
• Company information
• Reports and feedback from a dealer, retailer, and
distributor
• Management information system

18. There are several external sources from where the
secondary data can be collected. These are:
 Government censuses, like the population census, agriculture census,
etc.
 Information from other government departments, like social security,
tax records, etc.
 Business journals
 Social Books
 Business magazines
 Libraries
 Internet, where wide knowledge about different areas is easily
available.

19. The secondary data can be both qualitative and quantitative.
The qualitative data can be obtained through newspapers,
diaries, interviews, transcripts, etc., while the quantitative
data can be obtained through a survey, financial statements
and statistics.
One of the advantages of the secondary data is that it is
easily available and hence less time is required to gather all
the relevant information. Also, it is less expensive than the
primary data. But however the data might not be specific to
the researcher’s needs and at the same time is incomplete to
reach a conclusion. Also, the authenticity of the research
results might be sceptical.

20. Thank you