Question No. 5 - MCO-03 - Research Methodology and Statistical Analysis

Solutions to Assignments

                               MCO-03 - 

    Research Methodology and Statistical Analysis

                           Mcom - 2nd Year

Question No. 5

Distinguish between the following: 

(a) Primary and Secondary Data 

In statistical analysis, collection of data plays a significant part. The method of collecting information is divided into two different sections, namely primary data and secondary data. In this process, the primary data is assembling data or information for the first time, whereas the secondary data is the data that has already been gathered or collected by others.

The most important characteristics of the primary data is that it is original and first-hand, whereas the secondary data is the interpretation and analysis of the primary data.

Primary Data Definition

Primary data is the data that is collected for the first time through personal experiences or evidence, particularly for research. It is also described as raw data or first-hand information. The mode of assembling the information is costly, as the analysis is done by an agency or an external organisation, and needs human resources and investment. The investigator supervises and controls the data collection process directly.

The data is mostly collected through observations, physical testing, mailed questionnaires, surveys, personal interviews, telephonic interviews, case studies, and focus groups, etc.

Secondary Data Definition

Secondary data is a second-hand data that is already collected and recorded by some researchers for their purpose, and not for the current research problem. It is accessible in the form of data collected from different sources such as government publications, censuses, internal records of the organisation, books, journal articles, websites and reports, etc.

This method of gathering data is affordable, readily available, and saves cost and time. However, the one disadvantage is that the information assembled is for some other purpose and may not meet the present research purpose or may not be accurate.

The differences between the primary and secondary data are represented in a comparison format as follows:

 

Primary Data	Secondary Data
Definition
Primary data are those that are collected for the first time.	Secondary data refer to those data that have already been collected by some other person.
Originality
These are original because these are collected by the investigator for the first time.	These are not original because someone else has collected these for his own purpose.
Nature of Data
These are in the form of raw materials.	These are in the finished form.
Reliability and Suitability
These are more reliable and suitable for the enquiry because these are collected for a particular purpose.	These are less reliable and less suitable as someone else has collected the data which may not perfectly match our purpose.
Time and Money
Collecting primary data is quite expensive both in the terms of time and money.	Secondary data requires less time and money; hence it is economical.
Precaution and Editing
No particular precaution or editing is required while using the primary data as these were collected with a definite purpose.	Both precaution and editing are essential as secondary data were collected by someone else for his own purpose.

(b) Estimation and testing of hypothesis

 

(c) Sampling and Non-Sampling Errors 

Sampling error is one which occurs due to unrepresentativeness of the sample selected for observation. Conversely, non-sampling error is an error arise from human error, such as error in problem identification, method or procedure used, etc.

An ideal research design seeks to control various types of error, but there are some potential sources which may affect it. In sampling theory, total error can be defined as the variation between the mean value of population parameter and the observed mean value obtained in the research. The total error can be classified into two categories, i.e. sampling error and non-sampling error.

BASIS FOR COMPARISON	SAMPLING ERROR	NON-SAMPLING ERROR
Meaning	Sampling error is a type of error, occurs due to the sample selected does not perfectly represents the population of interest.	An error occurs due to sources other than sampling, while conducting survey activities is known as non sampling error.
Cause	Deviation between sample mean and population mean	Deficiency and analysis of data
Type	Random	Random or Non-random
Occurs	Only when sample is selected.	Both in sample and census.
Sample size	Possibility of error reduced with the increase in sample size.	It has nothing to do with the sample size.

The significant differences between sampling and non-sampling error are mentioned in the following points:

a. Sampling error is a statistical error happens due to the sample selected does not perfectly represents the population of interest. Non-sampling error occurs due to sources other than sampling while conducting survey activities is known as non-sampling error.

b. Sampling error arises because of the variation between the true mean value for the sample and the population. On the other hand, the non-sampling error arises because of deficiency and inappropriate analysis of data.

c. Non-sampling error can be random or non-random whereas sampling error occurs in the random sample only.

d. Sample error arises only when the sample is taken as a representative of a population.As opposed to non-sampling error which arises both in sampling and complete enumeration.

e. Sampling error is mainly associated with the sample size, i.e. as the sample size increases the possibility of error decreases. On the contrary, the non-sampling error is not related to the sample size, so, with the increase in sample size, it won’t be reduced.

(d) Bibliography and footnote 

The Footnote

Content footnotes give additional information about the content, and bibliographic notes provide additional sources related to the content. The footnote is found at the bottom, or foot, of the page. It is marked by a superscript number within the body of the text. The superscript number also appears at the bottom of the page, along with the additional explanatory or bibliographic information.

If specific sources are used to write content footnotes, this information should be cited through parenthetical citations within the footnote and then with full citation information within the Works Cited, or Bibliography, page. Bibliographic footnotes point your readers to specific, related outside texts without providing much commentary on them. Full citation information for these sources should also be included on the Works Cited page.

The Bibliography

The Bibliography, or Works Cited, page is the last section of a paper. It compiles the full citation information for any source cited in or consulted for the paper into one location and allows your readers to get an overview of the works informing your thinking.

The full citation information found in this section tells your readers when and where a source was published, whereas a footnote might only include the title of the work. Additionally, no information besides the citation information is included within the bibliography.