DataData can be defined as the quantitative orqualitative values of a variable. Data is plural of datum which literally means to give or something given. Data is thought to be the lowest unit of information from which other measurements and analysis can be done. Data can be numbers, images,words, figures, facts or ideas. Data in itself cannot beunder stood and to get information from the data one must interpret it into meaningful information.There are various methods of interpreting data. Data sources are broadly classified into primary and secondary dataData are any facts, numbers, or text that can be processed by a computer. Today, organizations are accumulating vast and growing amounts of data in different formats and different databases. This includes: operational or transactional data such as, sales, cost, inventory, payroll, and accounting nonoperational data, such as industry sales, forecast data, and macro economic data meta data - data about the data itself, such as logical database design or data dictionary definitions What can data mining do? Data mining is primarily used today by companies with a strong consumer focus - retail, financial, communication, and marketing organizations. It enables these companies to determine relationships among "internal" factors such as price, product positioning, or staff skills, and "external" factors such as economic indicators, competition, and customer demographics. And, it enables them to determine the impact on sales, customer satisfaction, and corporate profits. Finally, it enables them to "drill down" into summary information to view detail transactional data. Importance of data and data collection: Data is one of the most important and vitalaspect of any research studies. Researchers conducted in different fields of study can be different in methodology but every research is based on data which is analyzed and interpreted to get information. Data is the basic unit instatistical studies. Statistical information like census, population variables, healthstatistics, and road accidents records are all developed from data.

Types of Data: Primary and SecondarydataThere are many ways of classifying data. PRIMARY DATA Primary data means original data that has been collected specially for the purpose in mind.It means some one collected the data from the original source first hand. Data collected this way is called primary data.Primary data has not been published yet and is more reliable, authentic and objective.Primary data has not been changed or altered by human beings; therefore its validity is greater than secondary data. Primary data: Data collected by the investigator himself/ herself for a specific purpose.Examples: Data collected by a student for his/her thesis or research project.Secondary data: Data collected by someone else for some other purpose (but being utilized by the investigator for another purpose).Examples: Census data being used to analyze the impact of education on career choice and earning.Secondary data, is data collected by someone other than the user. Common sources of secondary data for social science include censuses, organisational records and data collected through qualitative methodologies or qualitative research. Primary data, by contrast, are collected by the investigator conducting the research.Some Advantages of using Primary data:1. The investigator collects data specific to the problem under study.2. There is no doubt about the quality of the data collected (for the investigator).3. If required, it may be possible to obtain additional data during the study period.Some Disadvantages of using Primary data (for reluctant/ uninterested investigators):1. The investigator has to contend with all the hassles of data collection- deciding why, what, how, when to collect getting the data collected (personally or through others) getting funding and dealing with funding agencies ethical considerations (consent, permissions, etc.)2. Ensuring the data collected is of a high standard- all desired data is obtained accurately, and in the format it is required in there is no fake/ cooked up data unnecessary/ useless data has not been included3. Cost of obtaining the data is often the major expense in studiesSome Advantages of using Secondary data:1. The datas already there- no hassles of data collection2. It is less expensive3. The investigator is not personally responsible for the quality of data (I didnt do it)Some disadvantages of using Secondary data:1. The investigator cannot decide what is collected (if specific data about something is required, for instance).2. One can only hope that the data is of good quality3. Obtaining additional data (or even clarification) about something is not possible (most often). SOURCE OF DATA There are two sources of data collection techniques. Primary and Secondary data collection techniques, Primary data collection uses surveys, experiments or direct observations.Secondary data collection may be conducted by collecting information from a diverse source of documents or electronically stored information, census and market studies are examples of a common sources of secondary data.

Source of primary data : Survey :Survey is most commonly used method in socialsciences, management, marketing and psychology to some extent.Surveys can be conducted in different methods. Questionnaire :Questionnaire is the most commonly used method in survey.Questionnaires are a list of questions either an open-ended or close -ended for which the respondent give answers. Questionnaire can be conducted via telephone, mail, live in a public area, or in an institute, through electronic mail or through fax and other methods. Interview :Interview is a face-to-face conversation with the respondent. It is slow, expensive, and they take people away from their regular jobs, but they allow in-depth questioning and follow-up questions. Observations :Observations can be done while letting the observing person know that he is being observed or without letting him know. Observations can also be made in natural settings as well as in artificially created environment.

Secondary data Source: Published Printed Sources:There are varieties of published printed sources. Their credibility dependson many factors. For example, on the writer, publishing company and time and datewhen published.

Books:Books are available today on any topic that you want to research. The uses of books start before even you have selected the topic. After selection of topics books provide insight on how much work has already been done on the same topicand you can prepare your literature review. Books are secondary source but mostauthentic one in secondary

Journals/periodicals: Journals and periodicals are becoming more important as far as data collection is concerned. The reason is that journals provide up-to-date information which at times books cannot and secondly, journals can give information on the very specific topic on which you are researching rather talking about more general topics.

Magazines/NewspapersMagazines are also effective but not very reliable. Newspaper on the otherhand is more reliable and in some cases the information can only be obtained from newspapers as in the case of some political studies. General Websites; Generally websites do not contain very reliableinformation so their content should be checked forthe reliability before quoting from them.Weblogs: Weblogs are also becoming common. They are actuallydiaries written by different people. These diaries are as reliable to useas personal written diaries.

CONCLUSION: Primary research entails the use ofimmediate data in determining the survival of the market. The popular ways to collect primary data consist of surveys, interviews and focusgroups, which shows that direct relationship between potential customers and the companies.Whereas secondary research is a means to reprocess and reuse collected information as an indication for betterments of the service or product.