Need and nature of data.

Need and nature of data.

Data.

The set of information by means of numerical expression or the quantitative figures are known as data. The information often in the form of facts or figures, obtained from experiments or surveys used as a basis for making calculations or conclusion is said to be data.

The necessity of data in natural and social science.

Data is the formation foundation of all research work. After formation of the research problem, the task of data collection begins . The data is needed for following purposes.

They are as follows.

1. To understand every phenomenon numerical.
2. To complete different measures.
3. To present the information properly to make analysis easy.
4. To make a comparison of different phenomenon attractive by figures and charts.

Nature of data in natural and social science.

The nature of data in the natural and social science can be discussed under the following the heading.

1. Quantitative nature.

Complexity.

Human behaviour is complex and varied. Hence, social data are much complex than the natural data.

Variety.

In natural research, the biological and physical data can be easily classified according to the forms. A variety of social characteristics makes social research complex.

Universality.

The causal relationship can be easily established in natural data. But it cannot be easily established in the case of social data.

Objectives.

Natural data possess objectivity because the researcher has no emotional attachments to the subjects matter . But in the social survey, the researcher may be influenced by the subject matter of society. Hence, the data lack objectives.

Qualitative nature.

The nature data are quantitative so there can be measured by well- defined physical measures. But the social data are quantitative and hence cannot be measured by physical methods. These are measured by different sociometric scales develop by research.

Differentiate between Primary data and Secondary data.

Different between schedules and questioner.

Census method.

It is defined as the process in which information is collected from each and every unit of the population which makes the subject matter under study. For example, if our study of interest is to investigation the drinking habits of 5000 adults in a certain city. Then we collect the information relating the drinking habits of each and every one of them. This is the way of collecting the information by census method.

Merits.

1. Census method is most useful if the area under study is not so vast.
2. By this census method, the result obtained is more accurate and reliable as each and every unit of the population is included.
3. By this method, complete information about the population is obtained.

Demerits.

1. This method is not reliable.
2. This method needs time and labour.
3. If the field study is vast, then this method is too expensive.
4. This method destroys each and every item at the time of testing.

For example, if we got a testing of the chalk by writing on the board to see how long a chalk will last, the entire lot will be destroyed.

Sample method.

Sample method is the process of obtained information only from a part of the population assuming that it is the representative of the whole. A part is studied and on the basis the conclusion is drawn from the entire population.

For example.

If our interest of study is the drinking habits of 5000 volts, we collect information only 500 of them and find the drinking habits. On the basis of the drinking habits of these 500 adults. This method is reliable only when the sample taken is the representative of the population.

Merits.

1. In this method time, labour and cost will be minimised due to the collection of a part of the population.
2. Due to less time and money, well-experienced persons can be employed and are provided for better supervision.
3. The results obtained from the census method can be checked by this method.
4. It's the better method of the investigation if the items are totally destroyed in the course of testing.
5. In the case of definite population, this is the only suitable method to study.

DEmerites.

1. The sample was taken totally depend on upon the investigator. Due to the biases of the investigation, the result obtained may not be fruitful.
2. The sample selected should be handled only by the experts or the well-experienced person otherwise, the result will be misleading.
3. If the sample selected from the population is not the representative one, it may give the wrong conclusion.

Kerlinger, F.N. Foundation of Behavioural Research. New Delhi: Surjeet Publication, 2000.

Kothari, C.R. Research Methodology. India: Vishwa Prakashan, 1990.

Singh, M.L. and J.M Singh. Understanding Research Methodology. 1998.

Singh, Mrigendra Lal. Understanding Research Methodology. Nepal: National Book centre, 2013.