Observation
Topic: Economic Data: Census, NSS, Surveys and Statistical Tools · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 2 "Collection of Data"; Class 11, Ch 8 "Use of Statistical Tools"
Meaning
An observation is one single value of a variable. A variable, such as output or income, takes different values in different situations. Each value that is actually recorded is one observation. Raw data are simply a collection of observations. Statistics then organises, summarises and analyses them.
Example
NCERT lists India's foodgrain output as 108 million tonnes (1970-71), 132 MT (1978-79), 176 MT (1990-91), 252 MT (2015-16) and 272 MT (2016-17). Foodgrain output is the variable. Each of these five figures is one observation.
Don't confuse with
- Variable: the variable is the quantity that changes (foodgrain output). An observation is one recorded value of it (272 MT in 2016-17).
Related concepts
- Primary data
- Secondary data
- Survey
- Variable
- Questionnaire
- Enumerator
- Informant
- Closed-ended question
- Open-ended question
- Leading question