4 Marks Each

Question 14 Marks

Discuss advantages and disadvantages of questionnaire by post.

Answer

In the method of questionnaire by post, a questionnaire is dispatched to respondents by post. The respondents fill up the questionnaire and send it back.
The advantages and disadvantages of this method are as follows :

Advantages :
$(1)$ This method is simple, quick and provides large amount of information with less cost.
$(2)$This method proves to be more efficient if the information is to be collected from educated and responsible respondents.
$(3)$ An investigator can get information from the respondents of those areas where it might be difficult to reach personally or by telephone.
Disadvantages :
$(1)$ This method is not quite useful if the respondents are illiterate and are lacking the sense of cooperation.
$(2)$ Sometimes respondents do not bother to read or return the questionnaire.
$(3)$ It is not possible to check whether the information given is correct or incorrect.
$(4)$ Sometimes, because of fear of information being misused. even educated respondents with sense of understanding avoid to provide written information or ignore returning back the questionnaire.
$(5)$ Because of laziness and gloom of then respondents, there may be a loss of questionnaire or delay in getting the information.
$(6)$ There is lack of assistance. Therefore clarification of the instructions or giving explanation of the questions that may arise is not attended. As a result it is possible that respondent may not provide the correct information.

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Question 24 Marks

Discuss the characteristics of an ideal questionnaire.

Answer

There are no stipulated norms or set rules for preparing a good questionnaire. A well designed questionnaire is known as an ideal questionnaire. Some characteristics of an ideal questionnaire are as follows:

Title :

An appropriate title indicating towards the object or purpose of the research should be given to the questionnaire. It should be so chosen that the respondent does not get any suspicion or dilemma in his mind about the questionnaire or its purpose.

Number of questions:

The number of questions in the questionnaire should be sufficient and consistent with the purpose of the inquiry. The fewer number of questions have greater chance of getting better response from the respondent.

Order of questions :

The order of questions should be logical so that the respondent can answer the questions quickly and spontaneously without looking back and forth at the questionnaire for reference.

Language of questions:

The language of questions should be simple. It should not be ambiguous, elumsy and dual in meaning.

Length of questions :

Questions having answers $YES/NO$ or multiple alternative should be asked. They should also be short and clear. Very long questions or answers create boredom among the respondents and hence it is possible that correct information may not be obtained.

Time :

Questions concerning remote past should be avoided. Questions leading to sharpening the memory should also be avoided.

Confidentiality :

Asking questions concerning the personal life of the respondent should be avoided. If such questions are unavoidable, they should be framed with caution and also a guarantee must be given that they will be kept confidential.

Trial:

After preparing the questionnaire, it should be executed on a trial basis to check how practical it is. If required, the questions should be changed to make the questionnaire perfect.

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Question 34 Marks

Discuss advantages and disadvantages of indirect Inquiry.

Answer

A method of inquiry, in which information is obtained with the help of an organisation or agency instead of enumerators, is called the method of Indirect Inquiry. ‘The advantages and disadvantages of this method are as follows :

Advantages :
$(1)$ When the field of inquiry is extensive this method is most suitable. When the object of Inquiry is multiple type, this method is more suitable.
$(2)$ When there are many differences of opinion among the informants, this method is more effective.
$(3)$ This method involves less cost, time and energy as the data is collected indirectly.
$(4)$ When the persons in charge of the inquiry and the informants are both experienced, neutral and technically qualified, the level of accuracy of the information can be enhanced.
$(5)$ This method is very much useful for various departments of government to collect various type of information.
Disadvantages :
$(1)$In this method, if the individual or organisation assigned with the task of providing information may have prejudices or a biased attitude. The information becomes less reliable.
$(2)$This method becomes useless when the third party from whom the information is obtained, is dishonest, inefficient. to provide correct information.

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Question 44 Marks

Discuss advantages and disadvantages of direct inquiry.

Answer

A method in which an investigator himself or an enumerator appointed by him personally visits the persons from whom the information is to be obtained, asks them questions pertaining to the inquiry or survey and collects the required Information, is called the method of direct Inquiry. The advantages and disadvantages of this method are as follows :

Advantages :
$(1)$ Since the investigator or enumerator himself collects the date by personal visit, the data obtained by this method are accurate and reliable.
$(2)$ The presence of an enumerator possibly creates confidence in the person giving information. If the person giving Information has a question or doubt or any embarassment. he can seek clarification from the enumerator.
$(3)$ The enumerator or Investigator sometimes gets supplementary Information of the respondents which may be useful at the time of interpretation of the results.
$(4)$ This method is much better when the information is to be obtained from a limited field of inquiry.
$(5)$The data is obtained personally hence the Information about the complex questions can be obtained easily. Moreover the data pertaining to the personal information can be obtained by supplementary questions. Assurance is given that such information will not be misused.
Disadvantages :
$(1)$ This method is not much effective in case of extensive and wide field of inquiry.
$(2)$ This method involves considerable amount of time, energy and money because the investigators collects the data by making personal visits to informants.
$(3)$ The information collected by this method is less reliable if the enumerators are not well trained, dutiful and honest towards the object of inquiry.
$(4)$ This method of inquiry is Iikely to be affected to a large extent by the prejudices or biases of the enumerators.

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Question 54 Marks

Discuss origin and growth of statistics.

Answer

The origin and growth of statistics can be described as follows :
Origin of Statistics :

From the time of Mauryan empire $(321-296\ BC)$ the contribution of India in Statistics has been quite significant.
During the time of Mughal Empire, Akbar $(1596 – ‘97)$ mentioned statistical system in ‘Ain- I- Akbari’ written by Abul Fazal.
The German word ‘Statistik’ was first used by Gottfried Achen Wall in $1749$ for analysis of data of the state.
By $18th$ century, the term ‘statistics’ was used for systematic collection of data by states.
Statistics was formally introduce in Encyclopedia Britanic in $1797$.
In $17th$ and $18th$ century Laplace $(1749 - 1827)$ and Gauss $(1772-1855)$ presented the initial principles on probability.
In the late $19th$ and early $20th$ century Karl Pearson founded Mathematical Statistics. Galton and Karl Pearson used mathematical statistics in science, Industry and Politics.
During $1910$ and $1920$, Gosset and Fisher developed modern statistical science and applied in the fields such as genetics. biometry. psychology, education, agriculture. etc.
During, $1930$. role of E. Pearson and J. Neyman has been significant in the development of statistics. After that advanced methods of statisties were developed day-by-day.

Growth of Statistics in India :

Contribution of Prof. $P. C.$ Mahalanobis has been significant in growth of statistics in India. He has founded Indian Statistical Institute - $ISI$ in $1931$ at Kolkata. He started for the first time post graduate course in Statistics at Kolkata

University in $1941$.

In $1950$, Mahalanobis started National Sample Survey - $NSS$ and started data collection. ($NSS$ has been named as National Sample Survey Organisation -$NSSO$ at present.)
Indian Agriculture Statistics Research Institute - $IASRI$ has contributed a lot in the development of statistics in India.
Among the various definitions of statistics. the definition given by Croxton and Cowden is ‘Statistics is the science which deals with the collection, analysis and interpretation of numerical data.’
How a days, statistics is not only useful for quantitative data but also for qualitative data.
Statistics is considered as a part of scientific methods. An important branch of statistics is Operations Research -$OR$, which was used in the military projects during the second world war. The use of $OR$ in industries and for the government cannot be ignored.
The constructive development in statistical studies has considerably increascd its scope and importance.

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Question 64 Marks

Discuss the method of collecting secondary data.

Answer

There are mainly two sources of collecting secondary data :
$1.$ Published and $2.$ Unpublished.
In published form the secondary data are obtained from the following, sources :

Government Publications :

Government publications is the main source of secondary data. The central and state governments collect certain data for their administrative use and publish them regularly in the interest of public information.
On results of population census. Index number of wholesale prices, statistics of imports and exports, vital statistics, agricultural statistics, Statistics related to five-year plans, etc. Are easily available from government publications, published by Central Statistical Organisation $(CSO)$.
National Sample Survey Organisation $(NSSO)$. Indian Council of Agricultural Research $(ICAR)$. Statistical Buletin of $RBI$, Statistical Abstract of Gujarat State, Social Economic Review of Gujarat. etc.

Semi - government Publications :

Semi- government organisations like the Life Insurance Corporation of India, State Electricity Boards, City Municipalities, etc.
regularly publish various data in their publications.

Publications of International Institutes :

Information can be obtained by the publications of International organisations like United Nations Organisation $(UNO)$, International Monetary Fund $(IMF)$, International Labour Organisation $(ILO)$,World Health Organisation $(WHO)$, etc.

Reports of Research Organisations :

Research institutions such as Ahmadabad Textile Industry’s Research Association $(ATIRA)$.
Physical Research Laboratory $(PRL)$, Ahmadabad; Tata Research Centre; Management Associations, etc.
provide useful data in their reports and publications.

Local Self-government Institutions and Autonomous Educational Institutions :

Municipal Corporations and Jilla Panchayats, Agricultural Universities and other Universities supply secondary data through their reports and publications.

Publications of Business and Commerce Organisations :

Federations of Chamber of Commerce, Worker’s unions, Various business organisations.
Nationalized banks, etc. publish data on regular basis which can be used as secondary data.

Newspapers and Periodicals :

Different periodicals and newspapers are important sources of secondary data.
Economic and Political Weekly $(EPW)$, Commerce.
Eastern Economist. Business India, Business Today, Economic Times.
Financial Express. etc. are the important periodicals which publish secondary data in a well organised manner.

In an unpublished form the secondary data are obtained as follows:
Some of the statistical data are collected and compiled but are not published.
However, private and Public institutions keep the registers for such data for their reference.
Such data can be obtained on request to the concerned institutions and can be used as secondary data.
Research papers of universities, private publications such as dissertations, monographs, etc. of $IIM$, are such kind of unpublished data.

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Question 74 Marks

Discuss the method of collecting primary data by indirect inquiry.

Answer

When the field of inquiry is very large and there is a lack of time for personal contact with the respondents, the information to be obtained is of complex nature and the cost associated with direct inquiry is high. than an investigator or an enumerator appointed by him collects the information with the help of the third party acquainted with the inquiry.
Thus, a method of inquiry in which instead of direct inquiry, enumerator collects the information with the help third party or agency, is called the method of indirect inquiry.
For example, an investigator or enumerator may collect the information on reading habit of students from the librarian of a school or a college instead of meeting the students personally.
The method of indirect inquiry is quite popular in practice. But the reliability of information obtained by this method depends on the ability, honesty and experience of the enumerators.

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Question 84 Marks

Discuss the method of collecting primary data by direct inquiry.

Answer

In the method of direct inquiry an investigator himself or an enumerator appointed by him visits personally to the field and collects the necessary information.
For example, if an investigator wants to collect the data about the reading habit of students.then he visits personally to the students of a school or college and collects the information by asking the relevant question. The information thus obtained is called the information by direct inquiry.

In this method it requires more time to collect the information. Hence. it is used when the field of inquiry is limited.
The information collected by this method may be considered reliable. But it is affected by the bias and prejudice of the enumerator and hence the data may have different Impression in practice.

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Question 94 Marks

Discuss what types of precautions should be taken while using secondary data.

Answer

Certain precautions as mentioned below should be taken while using secondary data :

Reliability :

Before using secondary data. One should verify the level of reliability of the data.
Data collected and published by government.
semi- government or autonomous organisations are more reliable.
The data collected by private organisations are less reliable because they collect the data to suit their own ideology or they might have some
bias or prejudice present.

Purpose:

The purpose of collecting data should be properly examined before it is used as secondary data.

Method of collecting data:

The method of inquiry used in collecting data should be known. From the knowledge of method applied. one becomes familiar with its limitations also.

Time duration :

The time duration when the data was collected should be known because the data collected in remote past becomes irrelevant in the present circumstances.

Scope of data:

Before using secondary data, matters pertaining to scope of data. Region for which the data are collected. definitions of terms used and the selection of units should be ascertained.

Limitations :

The limitation and drawbacks of the data should be known for the secondary data to be used.

Alternatives :

If alternative data are available. the data should be compared and then only proper data should be used as secondary data.

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Question 104 Marks

Discuss advantages and disadvantages of questionnaire by enumerators.

Answer

In this method, enumerators themselves contact the respondents personally and getting response to the questions and fills the questionnaire. The advantages and disadvantages of this method are as follows:

Advantages :
$(1)$ The complete, correct and more relevant information can be obtained from the respondents by enumerators.
$(2)$Enumerator can get proper information from the illiterate respondents providing proper explanations.
$(3)$Loss of questionnaire or receiving incomplete questionnaire do not arise because the enumerator collects the information personally.
$(4)$ For the vast field under inquiry, accurate information can be obtained within stipulated period of time.
$(5)$ Doubts arising in the minds of the respondents are resolved quickly on the spot because of the presence of enumerators.
Disadvantages :
$(1)$ if the data is to be collected from a large area, large number of enumerators are to be employed resulting in higher cost.
$(2)$ If expert numerators are not available for the inquiry, the task of training the appointed enumerators is not easy.
$(3)$ To keep close watch on the work of enumerators, it is required to appoint supervisors. This would increase the cost.
$(4)$ If the respondents are not educated, polite and sensible, it !s likely that they may not cooperate with the enumerators and hide correct information from them.
$(5)$ Since enumerators have to settle and also adjust the convenience of time with the respondent. more delay is likely to be caused.

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Question 114 Marks

State the difference between primary and secondary data.

Answer

No.	Primary data	No.	Secondary data
$1.$	Primary data are collected for the first time and hence original.		Secondary data are not original but it is the collected data reused by others.
$2.$	Primary data are collected on the units under inquiry.		Secondary data are obtained from the primary data.
$3.$	Primary data are original and hence the nature of primary data is quite extensive. Usually such data are in raw form. Hence, they are required to be classified and tabulated.		Secondary data may be in organised and tabulated form, i.e., they are usually in classified form.
$4.$	Since primary data are independently collected, large amount of resources, manpower and monetary cost are involved for their collection.		Secondary data are cost effective in terms of time, energy and money.
$5.$	Primary data are reliable in the sense that they are collected by authorised organisations.		Secondary data are collected by individuals or institutions for their own interest and hence may not be reliable or relevant from the point of view of user’s interest or purpose.
$6.$	Special characteristics, limitations and accuracy of primary data can be ascertained.		Some precautions are to be taken before using secondary data.

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Question 124 Marks

Give some examples of primary data.

Answer

Some examples of primary data are as follows :
$(1)$The data of Population Census of India obtained by $NSSO.$
$(2)$ The data on Indian agriculture obtained by $LASR.$
$(3)$The data of post graduate students obtained by Gujarat University.
$(4)$ The financial data of India obtained by $RBI.$
$(5)$The data on Textile Industries of Gujarat obtained by $ATIRA.$

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Statistics 4 Marks Each

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