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EconomicsClass 11C HA P T E R

C HA P T E R | Class 11 Economics Notes

By ConceptScroll Team · Published on 17 July 2026 · 5 min read

C HA P T E R – this guide gives you a concise, exam-ready overview of C HA P T E R from Class 11 Economics, written by ConceptScroll editors and reviewed against the latest NCERT textbook.

4. CENSUS AND SAMPLE SURVEYS

This section explains two fundamental approaches to data collection: Census (complete enumeration) and Sample Surveys. A Census involves collecting data from every unit or individual in the population, providing comprehensive and detailed information. In India, the Census is conducted every ten years, covering all households in rural and urban areas. It collects demographic data such as birth and death rates, literacy, employment, and population composition. The Census of India 2011 recorded a population of 121.09 crore, showing a significant increase from 23.83 crore in 1901. The section also introduces the concepts of Population (Universe) and Sample. The population is the entire group of individuals or items under study, while a sample is a smaller subset selected to represent the population. Sampling is preferred when surveying the entire population is impractical due to cost or time constraints. A representative sample provides reasonably accurate information about the population at a lower cost and in less time. The section illustrates this with an example of studying average income in a region by sampling a smaller group instead of the whole population. It also distinguishes between random and non-random sampling. Random sampling gives every individual an equal chance of selection, often using methods like the lottery or computer-generated random numbers. Non-random sampling involves selection based on convenience or judgment, which can introduce bias. The section mentions exit polls as an application of random sampling in elections, noting their limitations in prediction accuracy.

📊 Diagram: [figure_4] [figure_5] According to the Census 2011, population of India was 121.09 crore, which was 102.87 crore in 2001. Census 1901 indicated that the population of the country was 23.83 crore. Since then, in a period of

🧪 Activity: Activities include predicting next Census years in India and China, identifying population and sample for student opinion surveys, and selecting sample years for foodgrain production analysis using random number tables.

🔗 Connection: Leads to understanding errors in sampling and non-sampling in the next section.

Frequently asked questions

Frame at least four appropriate multiple-choice options for following questions: (i) Which of the following is the most important when you buy a new dress? (ii) How often do you use computers? (iii) Which of the newspapers do you read regularly? (iv) Rise in the price of petrol is justified. (v) What is the monthly income of your family?

This question asks you to create multiple-choice options for each of the given questions. For example:

(i) Which of the following is the most important when you buy a new dress? Options: A) Price B) Colour C) Brand D) Comfort

(ii) How often do you use computers? Options: A) Daily B) Weekly C) Occasionally D) Never

(iii) Which of the newspapers do you read regularly? Options: A) The Times of India B) Hindustan Times C) The Hindu D) None

(iv) Rise in the price of petrol is justified. Options:

Frame five two-way questions (with 'Yes' or 'No').

Two-way questions are those which can be answered with 'Yes' or 'No'. Examples: 1. Do you like to study Economics? 2. Have you ever used a computer? 3. Is your school located in the city? 4. Do you watch television daily? 5. Have you ever traveled outside your state?

State whether the following statements are True or False. (i) There are many sources of data. (ii) Telephone survey is the most suitable method of collecting data, when the population is literate and spread over a large area. (iii) Data collected by investigator is called the secondary data. (iv) There is a certain bias involved in the non-random selection of samples. (v) Non-sampling errors can be minimised by taking large samples.

(i) True - There are many sources of data such as surveys, censuses, administrative records, etc.

(ii) True - Telephone surveys are suitable when the population is literate and spread over a large area.

(iii) False - Data collected by investigator is called primary data, not secondary data.

(iv) True - Non-random selection of samples introduces bias.

(v) False - Non-sampling errors cannot be minimized by increasing sample size; they arise due to other factors like measurement errors.

What do you think about the following questions? Do you find any problem with these questions? Describe. (i) How far do you live from the closest market? (ii) If plastic bags are only 5 per cent of our garbage, should it be banned? (iii) Wouldn't you be opposed to increase in price of petrol? (iv) Do you agree with the use of chemical fertilisers? (v) Do you use fertilisers in your fields? (vi) What is the yield per hectare in your field?

This question asks to analyze the given questions for any problems such as ambiguity, leading questions, or difficulty in answering.

(i) 'How far do you live from the closest market?' - May be difficult for some respondents to estimate exact distance.

(ii) 'If plastic bags are only 5 per cent of our garbage, should it be banned?' - This is a leading question as it suggests a small percentage.

(iii) 'Wouldn't you be opposed to increase in price of petrol?' - Leading question, suggests the expe

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