CBSE Class 11-commerce Answered

• A primary source of data is first-hand data which is collected by a researcher from the original source. It is collected by an individual or an agency. 
• A secondary data is collected by someone in the past and is used by the researcher. It is collected and processed by an individual or an agency which is ready for use.

1. Direct Personal Investigation: In this method, the researcher or investigator conducts face to face to interviews with individuals. Example: If a researcher wants to understand the small investments of vegetable vendors, they meet the vendors in the market to obtain the necessary information.
2.  Indirect Oral Investigation: In this method, the investigator collects information from the third parties who possess necessary information for enquiry. Example: If the police department is investigating a theft incident, then they try to collect information from different people by raising different questions and record their responses for reference. The people from whom the responses are recorded are known as witnesses.
3.   Information from Local Sources: In this method, investigators try to collect information through local agents. They are appointed and provided training to collect information from the respondents at different areas. Example: If a pre-election opinion report is to be prepared for Frontline Magazine, the investigator will instruct the local agents to collect information from different places about the opinion of different parties involved in the election.
4. Telephonic Interviews: In this method, the investigator raises questions to the interviewer over the telephone. Example: If the investigator wants to collect information for rating a television show, he conducts a poll through a telephonic interview. 
5.  Mailing Questionnaire: In this method, the investigator sends a questionnaire to each respondent by mail, requesting them to fill and return the questionnaire within the stipulated time. It is ensured that the shared information will be maintained confidentially. Example: If the HR Department of a large multinational company wants to get feedback from its employees on their working conditions and related affairs in different locations, it may send out such a questionnaire. 
6. Questionnaire Filled by Enumerator: In this method, an enumerator personally meets respondents along with a questionnaire and notes down their responses in his own language in the questionnaire itself. The questionnaire filled by the enumerator is known as a schedule. Example: If the enumerator wants to collect information about the health status of women, then she personally visits them at home and asks health-related questions and mentions their responses in the questionnaire itself. 

Secondary data

Sources of secondary data can be classified into published and unpublished sources