1.What is observation method in planning analysis?

What are the

different types of observation methods, and which method is more
suitable in planning?

1. Observation Method
The observation method involves human or mechanical observation of what
people actually do or what events take place during a buying or consumption
situation. Information is collected by observing process at work.
The following are a few situations:-
Service Stations-Pose as a customer, go to a service station and observe.
To evaluate the effectiveness of display of Dunlop Pillow Cushions-In a
departmental store, observer notes:-
a) How many pass by;
b) How many stopped to look at the display;
c) How many decide to buy.
Super Market-Which is the best location in the shelf? Hidden cameras are used.
To determine typical sales arrangement and find out sales enthusiasm shown by
various salesmen-Normally this is done by an investigator using a concealed
tape-recorder

What are the different types of Observation?

1. Casual and Scientific observation
An observation can be sometimes casual in nature or sometimes it may act
scientifically. An observation with a casual approach involves observing the right
thing at the right place and also at the right time by a matter of chance or by
luck whereas a scientific observation involves the use of the tools of the
measurement, but a very important point to be kept in mind here is that all the
observations are not scientific in nature.

2. Natural Observation
Natural observation involves observing the behavior in a normal setting and in
this type of observation, no efforts are made to bring any type of change in the
behavior of the observed. Improvement in the collection of the information and
improvement in the environment of making an observation can be done with
the help of natural observations.

3. Subjective and Objective observation

All the observations consist of the two main components, the subject and the
object. The subject refers to the observer whereas the object refers to the
activity or any type of operation that is being observed. Subjective observation
involves the observation of the ones own immediate experience whereas the
observations involving observer as an entity apart from the thing being
observed, are referred to as the objective observation. Objective observation is
also called as the retrospection.

4. Direct and Indirect observation With the help of the direct method of
observation, one comes to know how the observer is physically present in which
type of situation is he present and then this type of observation monitors what
takes place. Indirect method of observation involves studies of mechanical
recording or the recording by some of the other means like photographic or
electronic. Direct observation is relatively straighter forward as compared to the
indirect observation.

5. Participant and Non Participant observation

Participation by the observers with the various types of operations of the group
under study refers to the participant type of observation. In participant
observation, the degree of the participation is largely affected by the nature of
the study and it also depends on the type of the situation and also on its
demands. But in the non-participant type of observation, no participation of the
observer in the activities of the group takes place and also there occurs no
relationship between the researcher and the group.

6. Structured and Unstructured observation

Structured observation works according to a plan and involves specific
information of the units that are to be observed and also about the information
that is to be recorded. The operations that are to be observed and the various
features that are to be noted or recorded are decided well in advance. Such
observations involve the use of especial instruments for the purpose of data
collection that are also structured in nature. But in the case of the unstructured
observation, its basics are diametrically against the structured observation. In
such observation, observer has the freedom to note down what he or she feels is
correct and relevant to the point of study and also this approach of observation
is very suitable in the case of exploratory research.

7. Controlled and Non Controlled observation:

Controlled observations are the observations made under the influence of some
of the external forces and such observations rarely lead to improvement in the
precision of the research results. But these observations can be very effective in
the working if these are made to work in the coordination with mechanical
synchronizing devices, film recording etc. Non controlled observations are made
in the natural environment and reverse to the controlled observation these
observations involve no influence or guidance of any type of external force.
2. Explain the Sampling method of Data Collection along
with its merits and demerits and state how it is different from
Census method of Data Collection?
Sample Data Collection:
A sample data collection is a study that obtains data from a subset of a
population, in order to estimate population attributes.
Census Data Collection:
A census is a study that obtains data from every member of a population. In
most studies, a census is not practical, because of the cost and/or time
required.

Merits and Demerits of Sampling Method of Data Collection

The methods, using which, we can get the samples; below are given its merits
and demerits on the whole.

Merits:
1. Economical:
It is economical, because we have not to collect all data. Instead of getting
data from 5000 farmers, we get it from 50-100 only.
2. Less Time Consuming:
As no of units is only a fraction of the total universe, time consumed is also a
fraction of total time. Number of units is considerably small, hence the time.
3. Reliable:
If sample is taken judiciously, the results are very reliable and accurate.
4. Organizational Convenience:
As samples are taken and the number of units is smaller, the better (Trained)
enumerators can be employed by the organization.
5. More Scientific:
According to Prof R.A. Fisher, The sample technique has four important
advantages over census technique of data collection. They are Speed,
Economy, Adaptability and Scientific approach.
It is based on certain laws such as:
(a) Law of Statistical Regularity
ADVERTISEMENTS:
(b) Law of Inertia of Large numbers
(c) Law of Persistence
(d) Law of Validity.
6. Detailed Enquiry:
A detailed study can be undertaken in case of the units included in the sample.
Size of sample can be taken according to time and money available with the
investigator.
7. Indispensable Method:
If universe is bigger, there remains no option but to proceed for this method. It is
specially used for infinite, hypothetical and perishable universes.

Demerits:
1. Absence of Being Representative:
Methods, such as purposive sampling may not provide a sample that is
representative.
2. Wrong Conclusion:
If the sample is not representative, the results will not be correct. These will lead
to the wrong conclusions.
3. Small Universe:
Sometimes universe is so small that proper samples cannot be taken not of it.
Number of units are so less.
4. Specialized Knowledge:
It is a scientific method. Therefore, to get a good and representative sample,
one should have special knowledge to get good sample and to perform proper
analysis so that reliable result may be achieved.
5. Inherent defects:
The results which are achieved though the analysis of sampling data may not be
accurate as this method have inherent defects. There is not even a single
method of sampling which has no demerit.
6. Sampling Error:
This method of sampling has many errors.
7. Personal Bias:
As in many cases the investigator, chooses samples, such as convenience
method, chances of personal bias creep in.

In practical terms, census data collection is a very difficult task to be executed,

depending on the importance of the data usage, we chose either of the
sampling or census data. For example, if there is a survey needed on how the
new medicine is going into market, we do sampling survey, we check it on
specific group of volunteers and release into the market. Whereas in the case of
knowing the population of a country, we check the census data, we gather
data of every individual.

3. Define Mean, Median and Mode and state their

characteristics. Calculate Mean Median and Mode for the
following Data.
Mean: It can be defined as the sum total of all the observations divided by the
number of observations. (Note: the observations have to be quantitative and
not qualitative)

Solution: (A1*N1+A2*N2+A3*N3+..An*Nn) (N1+N2+.Nn)

Where A1, A2, A3An are the marks scored and N1,N2,..Nn are the
number of students who scored respective marks
=(10*12+20*25+30*47+40*65+50*70+60*70)/(12+25+47+65+70+70)
Mean =42.664

Median: If the data is arranged in the increasing or decreasing order then the
middlemost value of the data is known as the median.

Once arranged in the order, we get score 40 as the mid value!

The logic is, the mid value of the sum of the total observations is, 144.5, hence
the 145th term is the median, Hence, adding from lowest to highest, the mid
value would be 40.
Median is 40

Mode: If the data is given a glance then also we can get to know one very
important property of it that is which observation has appeared the maximum
number of times.

For the observations, both 50 Marks and 60 Marks have highest

number of observations. Hence, Mode is 50 and 60

Characteristics of Mode, Median and Mean

No. Mode Median Mean

1 It is the most frequent It is the value of the It is the value in a given

value in the middle point of the aggregate which would
distribution; it is the array (not midpoint of obtain if all the values
point of greatest range), such that half were equal.
density. the item are above
and half below it.

2 The value of the mode The value of the media The sum of deviations on
is established by the is fixed by its position in either side of the mean
 predominant the array and doesn't are equal; hence, the
frequency, not by the reflect the individual algebraic sum of the
value in the value. deviation is equal zero.
distribution.

3 It is the most probable The aggregate It reflect the magnitude

value, hence the most distance between the of every value.
typical. median point and all
the value in the array is
less than from any other
point.

4 A distribution may Each array has one and An array has one and
have 2 or more only one median. only one mean.
modes. On the other
hand, there is no
mode in a rectangular
distribution.

5 The mode does not It cannot be Means may be

reflect the degree of manipulated manipulated
modality. algebraically: medians algebraically: means of
of subgroups cannot be subgroups may be
weighted and combined when
combined. properly weighted.

6 It cannot be It is stable in that It may be calculated

manipulated grouping procedures even when individual
algebraically: modes do not affect it values are unknown,
of subgroups cannot appreciably. provided the sum of the
be combined. values and the sample
size n are known.

7 It is unstable that it is Value must be ordered, Values need not be

influenced by and may be grouped, ordered or grouped for
grouping procedures. for computation. this calculation.

8 Values must be It can be compute It cannot be calculated

ordered and group for when ends are open from a frequency table
its computation. when ends are open.

9 It can be calculated It is not applicable to It is stable in that

when table ends are qualitative data. grouping procedures do
open. not seriously affected it.
4. Explain what is meant by dispersion of data. State the requisites of
a satisfactory measure of dispersion and examine in their light any
two common measures of dispersion.

Dispersion in statistics is a way of describing how spread out a set of data is.
When a data set has a large value, the values in the set are widely scattered; when it is
small the items in the set are tightly clustered. Very basically, this set of data has a small
value:
1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4
and this set has a wider one:
0, 1, 20, 30, 40, 100
The spread of a data set can be described by a range of descriptive statistics
including variance, standarddeviation, and interquartile range. Spread can also be
shown in graphs: dot plots, boxplots, andstem and leaf plots have a greater distance
with samples that have a larger dispersion and vice versa.

Measures of Dispersion.
Coefficient of dispersion: A catch-all term for a variety of formulas, including
distance between quartiles.
Standard deviation: probably the most common measure. It tells you how spread
out numbers are from the mean,
Index of Dispersion: a measure of dispersion commonly used with nominal variables.

Lets say you were asked to compare measures of dispersion for two data sets. Data set
A has the items 97,98,99,100,101,102,103 and data set B has items
70,80,90,100,110,120,130. By looking at the data sets you can probably tell that the
means and medians are the same (100) which technically are called measures of
central tendency in statistics.

However, the range (which gives you an idea of how spread out the entire set of
data is) is much larger for data set B (60) when compared to data set A (6). In fact,
nearly all measures of dispersion would be ten times greater for data set B, which makes
sense as the range is ten times larger. For example, take a look at the standard
deviations for the two data sets:
Standard deviation for A: 2.160246899469287.
Standard deviation for B: 21.602468994692867.
The figure for data set B is exactly ten times that of A.

5. Distinguish between primary data and secondary data and

explain its merits and demerits with its significance in spatial
planning.

S.no Primary data Secondary data

1 Primary data is data originated for the
first time by the researcher through direct
efforts and experience, specifically for
the purpose of addressing his research
problem. Also known as the first hand or
raw data. Primary data collection is quite
expensive, as the research is conducted
by the organization or agency itself,
which requires resources like investment
and manpower. The data collection is
under direct control and supervision of
the investigator.
2 Real time data type
Secondary data implies second-hand
information which is already collected
and recorded by any person other than
the user for a purpose, not relating to the
current research problem. It is the readily
available form of data collected from
various sources like censuses, government
publications, internal records of the
organization, reports, books, journal
articles, and websites and so on.
Past data type

3 Sources are Surveys, observations, Source are Government publications,

experiments, questionnaire, personal websites, books, journal articles, internal
interview, etc. records etc.

4 Expensive Economical

5 Long collection Short collection

6 Always specific to the researcher's needs. May or may not be specific to the
researcher's need.

7 Available in Crude form Available in Refined form

8 Accuracy and reliability is More Accuracy and reliability Relatively less

inferences :-
http://keydifferences.com/difference-between-primary-and-secondary-data.html#ComparisonChart

https://mathisfun2blog.wordpress.com/2016/06/27/statistical-data/

https://books.google.co.in/books?id=TDbuDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA123&lpg=PA123&dq=https://communit
ymedicine4asses.wordpress.com/2013/01/07/types-of-data-primary-and-secondary-
data/&source=bl&ots=eCtnja62-
V&sig=xVJZ3RFB0MXE9ELYbszTq8rrBDs&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjxr_SYrIzSAhXCOY8KHWf8AgsQ6
AEIKTAD#v=onepage&q=https%3A%2F%2Fcommunitymedicine4asses.wordpress.com%2F2013%2F01
%2F07%2Ftypes-of-data-primary-and-secondary-data%2F&f=false

http://www.economicsdiscussion.net/statistics/merits-and-demerits-of-sampling-method-of-data-
collection/2343

http://www.agefi.fr/sites/agefi.fr/files/migrate/etudereference/PDZSBKPGIG_OECDBizFinOutlook20
15-embargo.pdf

https://communitymedicine4asses.wordpress.com/2013/01/07/types-of-data-primary-and-
secondary-data/

http://keydifferences.com/difference-between-census-and-sampling.html

http://www.sociologyguide.com/research-methods&statistics/research-design.php

http://www.sociologyguide.com/research-methods&statistics/social-survey.php

http://www.sociologyguide.com/research-methods&statistics/sampling.php

http://www.economicsdiscussion.net/statistics/merits-and-demerits-of-sampling-method-of-data-
collection/2343

http://keydifferences.com/difference-between-census-and-sampling.html