What do you know about census of India ? from Statistics Collec
What are the (a) measurement errors and (b) recording mistakes ?

(a) Measurement errors : As a very simple example, suppose each student in a class is asked to measure the length of the teacher's table in the class room. Every student is provided a separate measuring tape. After comparing the measurement taken by the students, we will surely find that the measurements are not identical. The differences in measurements may arise because some students measured upto the nearest of the unit, while others measured to be nearest of the tenth place of decimal. Rounding of errors will always be there. Difference in measurements may also occur due to differences in measuring tapes themselves, due to manufacturing defects. Some students may also be careless. These are called measurement errors.

(b) Recording mistakes : The enumerator or the respondent may commit errors in recording data; for example, he may record 13 instead of 3, and so on. Sometimes the handwriting is so bad and unclear that the tabulator may misread the recorded answers, while transferreing data to files or computer.
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What are the advantages and disadvantages of collecting primary data by (i) Personal interview and (ii) mailing questionnaires to respondents ?

(i) Personal interview :

Advantages :

1. The enumerator can personally explain to the respondent the objective of the enquiry and importance of the study.

2. This will help in getting better cooperation of the respondent and in obtaining accurate answers to the questions in the questionnaire.

3. The enumerator can help the respondent in interpreting the questions correctly and recording his answers.

4. This will save time of the respondent and will keep him in good humour.

Disadvantages: The method is expensive. We need a large team of enumerators and spend on their training and travel, besides other expenses on food, stationery, lodging etc.

(ii) Mailing questionnaire to respondents:

Advantage : The method of mailing questionnaries to respondents is far more convenient and less expensive.

Disadvantages : (i) The respondents may not understand or misinterpret some questions.

(ii) The respondent may not take enough care to answer all questions correctly.

(iii) The respondent may ignore and not return the questionnaire at all.

(iv) Some of the questionnaires may be lost in the mail.

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What are the main steps in the planning of a field survey ?

The main steps in the planning of a field survey are as follows :

1. Preparation of the Questionnaire :

While preparing the questionnaire the

following points should be noted :

(i) The questionnaire should not be very long.

(ii) The questions to be included in the questionnaire must be precise and short.

(iii) The questions should be framed such that they can be cross checked with other questions in the questionnaire.

(iv) The questions should not involve much arithmetical calculations for the enumerator or the respondent.

2. Mode of enquiry : The data may be collected, either by

(i) the interview method, or

(ii) mailing questionnaire.

3. Training of the enumerators: Training programmes for the enumerators have to be arranged, so that they can interpret the questions correctly, explain to the respondents the objectives of the enquiry and importance of the study. They must be trained to be polite in their presentation.

4. Policy survey : In case, it is going to be large scale field study, it is useful to, initially, conduct a survey on a smaller scale (called a pilot survey) before launching the large survey.

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What do you know about census of India ?


After every ten years, a house to house enquire is carried out, covering all households in India. This is known as census of India. Demographic data on birth and death rates, literacy, workforce, life expectancy, size and composition of population etc. are collected and published by the Registrar General of India. The last census of India was held in February 2001.

According to the census 2001 population of India is 102.70 crore. It was 23.83 crore according to census 1901. In a period of 100 years, the population of our country increased by 78.87 crores. Census 1991 indicated that the annual growth rate of population during 1980s was 2.14 percent which come down to 1.93 percent during 1990s according to census 2001.

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What do you know about Random Sampling and Non-random Sampling ?

Random Sampling : Random sampling is one where the individual units from the population (samples) are selected at random. In the random sampling every individual has an equal chance of being selected and the individuals who are selected are like the one's who are not selected. For example, if the government wants to determine the impact of the rise in petrol price on the household budget of a particular locality. For this a random sample (representative) of 30 households has to be taken and studied. The names of all the 300 households of that area are written on pieces of paper and mixed well, then 30 names to be interviewed are selected by one by one. In random sampling every individual has an equal chance of being selected and the individuals who are selected are just like the one’s who are not selected.

Non-random Sampling: In a non-random

sampling method all the units of the population do not have an equal chance of being selected and convenience or judgement of the investigator plays an important role in selection of the sample. They are mainly selected on the basis of judgement purpose, convenience or quota and are non-random samples.



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