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Summarised Overview

Data collection methods can be categorised into primary data collection and secondary
data collection. Secondary data collection involves using existing data sources such as
books, articles, reports, and databases. Secondary data can be obtained from internal or
external sources and can provide valuable context and background information.
Primary data collection involves first-hand gathering of information, and it includes
observation, interviews, simulation, content analysis, projective techniques, mail
surveys and so forth. When using questionnaires, it is crucial to properly prepare and
pre-test the questionnaire to ensure its effectiveness. This involves conducting a pilot
survey to refine the questionnaire and test its feasibility. Interviews can be conducted
using interview schedules. A combination of primary and secondary data collection
methods can provide comprehensive and robust data for research and analysis purposes.

Assignments

1. Develop a questionnaire to conduct a study on the perception of customers towards
the various brands of mobile phones in your district.

2. Create a simple questionnaire with three questions to gather opinion on a popular
movie or TV show. Ask your friends or family members to complete the question-
naire and summarise their responses.
3. Prepare five interview questions to learn about people’s experiences with a recent
vacation or travel destination. Conduct interviews with friends or family members
and summarise their responses.

4. Choose a topic of interest (e.g., climate change, sports) and find three reliable
sources of information (books, articles, websites) on that topic. Summarise the key
points from each source and present a brief overview.
5. Design a questionnaire to understand people’s preferences for a specific food item
(e.g., pizza toppings, ice cream flavors). Ask at least five people to fill out the ques-
tionnaire and analyse the results.

SGOU - SLM - MCom Research Methodology 137