Knowledge is power, information is knowledge, and data is information in digitized form. Thus, data is power. You should collect the data before using it to develop a profitable strategy for your company or organization. That is your initial step. So, how can you make sure the data you use is important to the business challenges you’re trying to solve? A data-driven choice is only as solid as the data on which it is based. One method is to collect data on your own. So, we highlight data collection to guide you in taking the next step. What is it exactly? Here is a list of the different kinds of data, what you should know before gathering data, and seven effective data collection techniques.
What is data collection?
Before we could even describe data collection, we should first know what is data. The short answer is that “data is a variety of types of information organized in a specific way”. Thus, data collecting is the process of gathering, measuring, and interpreting accurate information from a variety of relevant sources in order to deal with issues, provide answers, evaluate the results, and analyze future possibilities.
The researchers must specify the data sources, data types, and techniques used during data collection.
Types of data collection:
Depending on the type of data, the data collection method is divided into two categories namely,
- Primary Data Collection methods
- Secondary Data Collection methods
Primary Data Collection methods: Primary data, often known as raw data, is a kind of information that is derived by experiments, surveys, or observations directly from a first-hand source. This information will not be used in the past.
In addition, there are two sub-categories we can divide primary data into Qualitative and Quantitative. Descriptions like color, size, quality, and appearance are all part of qualitative data. Quantitative data involves figures that include statistics, poll results, percentages, etc.
- Qualitative data collection: When there is no access to past information, qualitative methods are extremely helpful. Alternatively, no calculations or numbers are required. Interviews, questionnaires, observations, case studies, and other techniques are used in this qualitative data collection method. There are several ways to gather this sort of information. Those are
- Observation method: When a study is concerned with scientific inquiry, the observation method is applied. This procedure is systematically prepared. It is subject to several inspections and regulations. The various categories of observations include:
- Structured and unstructured observation
- Controlled and uncontrolled observation
- Participant, non-participant, and disguised observation
- Interview method: The means of collecting data through verbal responses. It is implemented in two methods, including
- Personal Interview – In this style, the interviewee is obliged to question the subject directly in front of them. Personal interviews can be directed investigations, concentrated conversations, unstructured or organized interviews, etc.
- Telephonic Interview – Using this technique, an interviewer contacts subjects over the phone and vocally solicits their opinions or answers.
- Questionnaire method: The set of questions is mailed to the respondent using this technique. On the form, the questions are printed in a specific order. The survey includes the questionnaire, although the questionnaire’s ultimate aim may or may not be a survey.
- Electronic methods: These methods are much used in Health or clinical research. With electronic methods, the data is entered directly into the computer system without being transcribed on the Case Report Form. Other pure electronic data collection approaches include e-CRFs, which are basically PDF (Portable Document Format) files that are electronic copies of the CRFs with built-in validations and checks to assure correct, complete, and consistent data entry. The centralized database can then receive these e-CRFs in bulk.
- Surveys: Surveys collect information about the target market’s preferences, opinions, decisions, and feedback regarding the products and services they offer. Most survey software includes a variety of question types from which to choose. Online surveys can be tailored to the company’s brand by altering the theme, logo, etc. They can be shared using a variety of platforms, including social media, a website, an offline app, email, and QR codes. Survey software and survey dashboards can generate various reports, and statistical data related to response rate, completion rate, etc.
- Polls: One single or multiple choice question appears in polls. You can use polls when it’s necessary to get a quick read on the audience’s feelings. It is simpler to collect responses from people because they are short.
- Focus groups: A focus group is a small gathering of 8–10 people who discuss the common aspects of a problem. Each person offers their opinions on the relevant problem. The group’s discussion is monitored by a moderator. The group decides on a solution at the end of the discussion.
- Quantitative data collection: It is based on calculations done using mathematics and a variety of formats, including closed-ended questions, correlation and regression techniques, mean, median, or mode metrics. This method can be used quickly and is less expensive than qualitative data collection techniques. Statistical tools are frequently used in quantitative methods for demand forecasting and market research. These methods use previous data to forecast demand. Typically, long-term projections are made using these major data collection techniques.
- Smoothing technique: Smoothing methods can be used when there are no major trends in the time series. They take away a random fluctuation from the past demand. In order to predict future demand, it serves in recognising trends and levels of demand.
- Time series analysis: A time series is a sequential ordering of a variable’s trend-related values over spaced-equally-apart periods of time. An organization can forecast the demand for its goods and services for the expected period of time by using patterns.
- Barometric method: Researchers employ this technique, often referred to as the leading indicators approach, to predict future trends based on recent occurrences. They serve as leading indicators when past events are used to forecast future ones.
Secondary data collection methods: Secondary data refers to information gathered from sources other than the original user. It indicates that someone has previously assessed the material and it is already available. Books, journals, periodicals, newspapers, and other secondary data sources are included. It could be either published or unpublished data.
When compared to primary data, secondary data is much more available, less time taking, and less expensive.
- Published data can be available from sources like
- Government publications
- Public records
- Journals
- Statistics and historical records
- Business data
- Specialized publications
- Unpublished data consists of
- Diaries
- Letters
- Unpublished biographies, etc.