What are the Sources of Data?

Sources of Data

Sources of Data can be classified into 2 types. Statistical sources refer to data that are gathered for some official purposes and incorporate censuses and officially administered surveys. Non-statistical sources refer to the collection of data for other administrative purposes or for the private sector.

What are the different sources of data?

Following are the two sources of data:

1. Internal Source

• When data are collected from reports and records of the organisation itself, it is known as the internal source.
• For example, a company publishes its ‘Annual Report’ on Profit and Loss, Total Sales, Loans, Wages, etc.

2. External Source

• When data are collected from outside the organisation, it is known as the external source.
• For example, if a Tour and Travels Company obtains information on ‘Karnataka Tourism’ from Karnataka Transport Corporation, it would be known as external sources of data.

Types of Data

A) Primary Data

• Primary data means ‘First-hand information’ collected by an investigator.
• It is collected for the first time.
• It is original and more reliable.
• For example Population census conducted by the government of India after every 10 years.

B) Secondary Data

• Secondary data refers to ‘Second-hand information’.
• These are not originally collected rather obtained from already published or unpublished sources.
• For example the Address of a person taken from the Telephone Directory or Phone number of a company taken from ‘Just Dial’.

Methods of Collecting Primary Data

1. Direct Personal Investigation
2. Indirect Oral Investigation
3. Information Through Correspondents
4. Telephonic Interview
5. Mailed Questionnaire
6. The questionnaire filled by enumerators