Sources of Data| Practical Work in Geography Class 12

In this article, we will delve deep into the topic of “Sources of Data” from Chapter 1 of the NCERT Class 12 Practical Work Geography book. These notes are specially curated by an expert team at GeeksforGeeks for all the students.

Sources of Data

Data collection can happen in two main ways:

1. Primary Sources:
   • This is when data is gathered for the first time by individuals, groups, or organizations.
   • For example, conducting surveys, interviews, experiments, or observations to collect fresh data.
   • Primary sources are firsthand accounts of information.
2. Secondary Sources:
   • This refers to data collected from already published or unpublished sources.
   • Examples include books, articles, reports, databases, or other research studies.
   • Secondary sources rely on existing data that has already been collected and analyzed by others.

In summary, primary sources involve gathering new data directly, while secondary sources involve using existing data collected by others.

Sources of Primary Data

1. Personal Observations:
   • This involves individuals or groups directly observing things in the field.
   • For example, they might observe terrain, rivers, soil types, vegetation, and details about communities.
   • Those doing observations need to have knowledge and a scientific mindset to be impartial.
2. Interviews:
   • Researchers gather information by talking directly to people.
   • To conduct interviews effectively, several precautions are necessary:
     • Prepare a clear list of topics.
     • Make sure interviewers understand the purpose.
     • Build trust with respondents, especially for sensitive questions.
     • Create a comfortable environment for open discussion.
     • Use simple and polite language.
     • Avoid offending religious or cultural sensitivities.
     • Ask if respondents have additional information to share.
     • Show appreciation for their time.
3. Questionnaire/Schedule:
   • Questions and possible answers are written on paper, and respondents mark their choices.
   • This method is useful for larger surveys and can be mailed.
   • However, it’s limited to literate respondents.
   • A schedule is similar to a questionnaire but filled out by a trained person for illiterate respondents.
4. Other Methods:
   • Soil and water properties can be measured directly in the field using specialized kits.
   • Field scientists collect data on crop and vegetation health using transducers, which are instruments for measuring physical quantities.

Secondary Source of Data

Secondary sources of data come from records that have already been published or unpublished. Here are some examples:

Published Sources:

1. Government Publications: Reports and publications from various government ministries and departments, such as the Census of India and reports from the National Sample Survey.
2. Semi/Quasi-government Publications: Reports and publications from urban development authorities, municipal corporations, and district councils.
3. International Publications: Yearbooks, reports, and monographs from United Nations agencies like UNESCO, UNDP, WHO, and FAO.
4. Private Publications: Yearbooks, surveys, and reports published by newspapers and private organizations.
5. Newspapers and Magazines: Daily newspapers and weekly or monthly magazines are easily accessible sources of secondary data.
6. Electronic Media: The internet, especially, has become a major source of secondary data recently.

Unpublished Sources:

1. Government Documents: Unpublished reports, monographs, and documents maintained at different levels of governance, such as village-level revenue records.
2. Quasi-government Records: Periodical reports and development plans maintained by municipal corporations, district councils, and civil services departments.
3. Private Documents: Unpublished reports and records from companies, trade unions, political and non-political organizations, and residents’ welfare associations.

These sources provide valuable data for research and analysis.

Conclusion – Practical Work in Geography Class 12 Sources of Data

This article has extensively explored the topic of “Sources of Data” from Chapter 1 of the NCERT Class 12 Practical Work Geography book. Crafted by experts at GeeksforGeeks, these notes aim to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the various methods and channels through which data can be collected and utilized effectively. The discussion began by distinguishing between primary and secondary sources of data collection. Further, the article delved into the specifics of primary data collection methods, including personal observations, interviews, and questionnaires, emphasizing the importance of meticulous planning and sensitivity when engaging with respondents.

FAQs on Practical Work in Geography Class 12 Sources of Data

What are the sources of data Class 12 geography?

Primary data sources are those that are acquired for the first time by a person or a group of individuals, institutions, or organisations. Secondary sources are data acquired from any public or unpublished source. Absolute data, often known as raw data, is data provided in its native form as numbers.

What are the two types of Secondary Source of Data?

Two types of Secondary Sources of Data are Published Sources and Unpublished Sources.

What are the main source of data in geography?

Satellite images, sonar readings, and radar are all forms of remotely sensed data. For each type of data, there is a range of important issues about collection and processing that have an impact on how reliable and useful the data are.

Why do we need data in geography practical?

Data related to the total population, density, number of migrants, occupation of people, their salaries, industries, means of transportation and communication is needed to study the growth of a city.

What is data class 12 practical?

Data are defined as numbers that represent measurements from the real world. Datum is a single measurement.