Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
exploratory, descriptive, etc., in nature decides
the type of data collection method. The objective
and scope of the study guide whether to use the
primary data or secondary data. If secondary data
are to be used, then what are the sources, what is
the reliability of, and at what accuracy they have
been collected, all these things should be criti-
cally examined before taking any decision in this
regard. If primary data are to be recorded, then
what type of data is needed, qualitative or quan-
titative; does it require assistance from experts or
sophisticated instrument, etc.?
make an endeavor to complete the data collection
within the shortest possible time period at his/her
disposal, keeping in mind the financial resources
available for the purpose.
7.4.4 Availability of Technical Person
While discussing the different methods of data
collection, it is noted that some methods of data
collection require the help from the experts.
In a schedule/observation/interview and other
methods of data collection, the quality of the
data depends greatly on the understanding of
the subject/questions of the enumerator/investi-
gator, behavior, intellectuality, and training
taken by the enumerator. One cannot use highly
sophisticated instrument for data collection in the
absence of a highly trained expert in recording
and retrieving the data from the sophisticated
instruments.
7.4.2 Availability of Fund
Financial resource is a pivotal point or lifeline of
any good or bad research program. Depending
upon the availability of fund, research projects
are exhaustive/intensive. In developing countries,
where financial resources are one of the major
constraints in conducting good research work,
the guardians generally advise “try to do, what-
ever you can do within the limited resources,
don't hanker for that which is not available
at your disposal.” When funds are available,
a researcher is at his/her liberty to frame a
research process; otherwise, he/she has to keep
in mind the available resources at his/her dis-
posal. If resources are available, one can make
the program exhaustive/intensive, make use of
sophisticated instrument, can take help from
technical experts, and also can minimize the
time required or otherwise.
7.4.5 Precision Required
Methods of data collection are greatly influenced
by the precision required for the study. For exam-
ple, length data can be taken with the help of
screw gauge, slide calipers, centimeter scales, or
tape. All these are coming under an experimental
and observational data collection method. Now,
the question is, to which one should one apply?
Clearly, the precision with which the above
instruments work is different, and a researcher
needs to desire which technique or which method
he/she should apply. Similarly, the different
methods of data collection, may it be primary
or secondary, have different levels of precision
or accuracy. A researcher is to desire the best
methods of data collection befitting to the objec-
tive of a research program commensurating
with the available resources and the given
time frame.
7.4.3 Availability of Time
As discussed already, the different methods of
data collection require different time periods for
a successful completion. A researcher must be
aware about the time period allowed to fulfill the
objective of the study. A researcher must always
