Sources of Data
Learning objectives
• define static data and give an example
• define dynamic data and give an example
• compare the use of static information sources with dynamic information sources
• define direct and indirect data source
• understand the advantages and disadvantages of gathering data from direct and indirect data
sources.
Key t erms
Word/phrase Meaning
direct data A source where data is collected for a specific purpose or task, e.g.
source questionnaires or data logging
dynamic data Data that changes or is updated, e.g. data that can be written back or edited
indirect data Data obtained from a third party not necessarily related to the current task
source
static data Data that does not change, e.g. that is read from a data source, but not written
back
Static data
What is static data?
Static data is data that does not change during processing: it is either read and not written back to
a file or data source, or is not changed when written back.
Examples
• A newspaper story – hardcopy cannot be changed once printed
• Data stored on a CD ROM – a CD ROM cannot be edited.
These are examples of static data/information as they cannot be changed.
Dynamic data
What is dynamic data?
Dynamic data refers to data that changes during processing – it is updated as and when
necessary. The data is never expected to be the same when re-input.
Examples
• Data on a webpage that is updated from time to time
• Data on a CD RW can be rewritten or edited
• Data from a stock market.
These are examples of dynamic data, as they change.
Theory
Comparison of the use of static and dynamic information
sources
Static data is what is stored on a CD ROM, but the CD ROM is a static information source as we
interpret what is on the CD ROM to give us information.
Static information sources Dynamic information sources
• It is very difficult to add information to a • A dynamic information source can have
static information source after it has been information updated quickly
created • The data in a dynamic data source is usually
• There is a limited amount of information in a up-to-date
static information source • There can be many contributors to a
• Static information sources are carefully dynamic data source such as a website, so
checked for accuracy, as once the data is the information can be inaccurate.
used it cannot be changed.
Direct data sources
What is a direct data source?
A direct data source is one that data can be gathered from, without having to go to a third party. It
gives us data that is often called ‘original source data’.
A census is a common direct method of collecting demographic data. A census is usually carried
out by a national government which tries to collect details of every person in a country. However,
censuses are usually carried out every 10 years and are therefore not the best source of data on
births and deaths.
Methods of collecting direct data
Questionnaires
Questionnaires are often used to collect data from individuals. They can be hard copy or
completed online. Questionnaires can make it easier to analyse information because all
respondents are asked the same questions.
Interviews
Interviews allow you to collect more data from people as responses can be given in greater depth.
Observation
Data gatherers observe what is happening during an activity, then record and analyse the resulting
data.
Data logging
This is the use of sensors to produce data that can be gathered and interpreted.
Theory
Example – data collection methods
A new high speed train line
The government are investigating the feasibility of introducing a new high speed rail link between
the capital and a major industrial city. Before they decide whether to proceed or not, they will
need to collect some direct data.
This direct data will include:
• the time it takes to get from the capital to the other city using the existing rail line
• the number of trains and passengers who use the existing rail line
• how many passengers would use the new system
• what people who live on or near the existing route think about the effect it would have on
their environment.
Here are some examples of how the data could be collected:
The time it takes to get from the capital to the other city using the existing rail line:
This information can be collected from existing train timetables, however this method would not
be using a direct data source. Original data could be collected by actually travelling on trains
periodically and timing the journeys, but this might not be practical given the time it would take.
The number of trains and frequency on the existing line:
The suggested method to be used is a data logger. A sensor is placed on the rail line. This
sensor is attached to a roadside data logger. As trains pass over the sensor, their speed, time of
day, number of carriages and frequency are logged.
The advantage of a data logger is that it gathers physical data automatically.
The number of passengers:
The method could be to use infra-red sensors fitted around each door on the train to count the
number of passengers getting on and off the train at each station. From these it can be
calculated how many passengers are on the train at any point along its route. The data is fed
back to a microprocessor.
How many passengers would use the new system:
This could make use of questionnaires: passengers on the existing route and airline passengers
in the capital are asked to complete the questionnaires.
The advantage of questionnaires is that they can be collected and analysed reasonably quickly.
The disadvantage is that only a proportion are returned, making the sample size quite small.
What local residents think:
Face-to face interviews would be best. The advantage of interviews is that they may gather
some unexpected data and obtain personal attitudes that a simple questionnaire would not.
However, it takes time for many interviews to take place.
Indirect data sources
What is an indirect data source?
Indirect sources means data that was collected for a particular reason but is then used for
something else. It often occurs when one organisation collects data about individuals and then
sells this data to another organisation.
Example – indirect data sources
Electoral register
This is a list of adults who are entitled to vote in a local or national election. An edited
version of the register can be purchased and used for any purpose.
Businesses collecting personal information
Businesses sell the information that they collect from their customers. For example when
someone purchases something online they are often asked to tick a box authorising the
business to share this with other organisations. Customers often provide personal
information that has a commercial value. Businesses use this information to create mailing
lists that can be purchased by any other organisation/individual to send emails or even
brochures through the post.
The advantages and disadvantages of gathering data from
direct and indirect data sources
Advantages of direct data sources
• Only as much or as little data is gathered as needed
• Exactly where the data came from, and therefore how reliable it is, is known
• There may be an opportunity to sell the data for other purposes
• Gathering data directly addresses specific issues, as the data gatherer controls the methods of
collecting the data to fit their needs.
Disadvantages of direct data sources
• Data gathering may be expensive as other companies may have to be hired to get it.
• It may involve having to buy equipment such as data loggers and computers
• It may not be possible to gather original data due to the time of year e.g. winter snowfall data
may be required but it is now the middle of summer
• Compared to indirect data sources, using direct data sources may be very expensive in
preparing and carrying out the gathering of data. Costs can be incurred in, for example,
producing the paper for questionnaires, or the equipment for an experiment
• It takes longer to gather data than to acquire data from an indirect data source
• By the time the project is complete the data may be out-of-date
• The sample size may be small.
Theory
Advantages of indirect data sources
• Indirect data sources may allow a larger set of data to be examined using less time and money
than direct data collection would require
• The use of indirect data sources allows data to be gathered from subjects (e.g. people) to
which the data gatherer does not have physical access
• A larger sample size can be used. Direct data gathering can have limitations due to the
availability of the people being interviewed, but by using indirect data sources, the size of the
sample can be increased giving rise to greater confidence in the findings
• Using indirect data sources can be done at a relatively low cost, although this varies. Quite
often the data can be in an easily accessible location such as the internet whereas for direct
data sources, travelling expenses and time taken to collect data can be great
• Information can be of a higher quality. Data collected indirectly has already been collated and
grouped into meaningful categories and, for example, poorly-written responses to
questionnaires or interview transcripts do not have to be read through to create the data
source.
Disadvantages of indirect data sources
• The various purposes for which data was collected originally may be quite different to the
purpose of the current research and unnecessary data may need to be filtered out
• There may be no data available – the data required has simply never been recorded
• There may be sampling bias – data from only one section of the community (whether it is
based on educational level, level of income etc.) may have been collected but what is required
is data from a representative cross-section of the community.
• There may be coding difficulties. For a number of reasons, coding is one of the most difficult
tasks faced. The reasons include:
− the purpose for which the data was originally collected being different to the purpose it is to
be used for now
− different sources resulting in differences in the content
− lack of standardisation across the required data
− different sources having different amounts of data.
• If data has already been coded the coding may be difficult to understand
• The data may vary in reliability, depending on who collected the data and how old the data is
• Before using an indirect data source, the reason why the data was collected directly in the first
place needs to be known.
Exam preparation
Exam preparation
This topic requires learners to:
• define static data, clearly identifying that static data is data that is unchanged, and give
examples
• define dynamic data, understanding that dynamic data is data that is changed or updated, and
give examples
• define direct data source, and understand that this is a source where data is collected for a
specific purpose or task
• define indirect data source, and understand that this is data obtained from a third party not
necessarily related to the current task
• understand the advantages and disadvantages of gathering data from direct and indirect data
sources.
Learners must know and understand all of these terms, as well as advantages and disadvantages
of direct and indirect data sources, to be able to answer any exam questions which may come up
on this topic.
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