WHAT IS DATA COLLECTION?

Data collection is the methodological process of gathering information about a specific

subject. It’s crucial to ensure your data is complete during the collection phase and that
it’s collected legally and ethically. If not, your analysis won’t be accurate and could have
far-reaching consequences.

Data collection methods encompass a variety of techniques and tools for gathering
quantitative and qualitative data. These methods are integral to the data collection and
ensure accurate and comprehensive data acquisition.
Data collection methods are techniques and procedures for gathering information for
research purposes. They can range from simple self-reported surveys to more complex
quantitative or qualitative experiments.

Data is a collection of facts, figures, objects, symbols, and events from different
sources. Organizations collect data using various methods to make better decisions.
Without data, it would be difficult for organizations to make appropriate decisions, so
data is collected from different audiences at various times.

Data can be qualitative (meaning contextual in nature) or quantitative (meaning numeric

in nature). Many data collection methods apply to either type, but some are better suited
to one over the other.
In the data life cycle, data collection is the second step. After data is generated, it must
be collected to be of use to your team. After that, it can be processed, stored, managed,
analyzed, and visualized to aid in your organization’s decision-making.

IMPORTANCE OF DATA COLLECTION METHODS

Data collection methods play a crucial role in the research process as they determine
the quality and accuracy of the data collected. Here is some major importance of data
collection methods.
Quality and Accuracy: The choice of data collection technique directly impacts the
quality and accuracy of the data obtained. Properly designed methods help ensure that
the data collected is error-free and relevant to the research questions.
Relevance, Validity, and Reliability: Effective data collection methods help ensure
that the data collected is relevant to the research objectives, valid (measuring what it
intends to measure), and reliable (consistent and reproducible).
Bias Reduction and Representativeness: Carefully chosen data collection methods
can help minimize biases inherent in the research process, such as sampling or
response bias. They also aid in achieving a representative sample, enhancing the
findings’ generalizability.
Informed Decision Making: Accurate and reliable data collected through appropriate
methods provide a solid foundation for making informed decisions based on research
findings. This is crucial for both academic research and practical applications in various
fields.
Achievement of Research Objectives: Data collection methods should align with the
research objectives to ensure that the collected data effectively addresses the research
questions or hypotheses. Properly collected data facilitates the attainment of these
objectives.
Support for Validity and Reliability: Validity and reliability are essential to research
validity. The choice of data collection methods can either enhance or detract from the
validity and reliability of research findings. Therefore, selecting appropriate methods is
critical for ensuring the credibility of the research.
The importance of data collection methods cannot be overstated, as they play a key role
in the research study’s overall success and internal validity.

TYPES OF DATA COLLECTION

There are many types of data that you can collect and each can provide its own
benefits. The type you choose to use might depend on what you are interested in
learning. Some types of data collection include:

Qualitative
Qualitative data collection refers to non-numerical research that gathers information on
concepts, thoughts or experiences. Typically, qualitative results are useful for
experience-based topics, like disc golf player needs. Qualitative research is common in
humanities research and may use more personal methods of data collection. Some
examples of qualitative data collection and research include: Observations, Surveys,
Focus groups, Interviews

Quantitative
Quantitative data collection is the opposite of qualitative and instead collects numerical
or statistical information. For example, your results might be a number of something, a
percentage or an amount of time. Quantitative data can be useful for measuring
demographics for marketing or comparing key statistics in board reports. Quantitative
research is typically common in financial or scientific areas of study. Some examples of
quantitative data collection and research include observations and surveys.

SOURCES OF DATA
Primary
Primary data collection happens when researchers obtain information directly from the
original sources. For example, if you were researching to find the best material for your
product, you may interview experts to gather primary research data to help inform the
development of your product. These primary sources of data collection can vary
depending on research subjects. Sources of primary data can also include market or
academic research.
Secondary
Secondary data collection refers to information gathered from previous research. The
previous research might come from researchers who originally conducted the studies
for another project and then made their findings public, or organizations who have
published the research for awareness, like government organizations or nonprofits. This
data is usually already analyzed and put into context. Sources of secondary data can
include: Books, Scholarly journals and papers, Newspapers, Websites Podcasts

6 METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION

There are many methods of data collection that you can use in your workplace,
including:
1. Observation
Observational methods focus on examining things and collecting data about them. This
might include observing individual animals or people in their natural spaces and places.
Avoiding direct interactions between researchers and the subjects they are observing
can ensure that results are more accurate.
Example: A children's store named Bubbly Baby is interested in developing a new
children's toy to sell exclusively in their store. They want to make sure that they
understand the toys babies like before developing product samples. The production
team at Bubbly Baby plans to conduct observational research with babies, whose
parents have provided consent, to examine what toys interest them the most. During the
observation sessions, the production team stands in another room to view the toy
selections each baby makes. This recorded information may then guide their
development process and help them develop a new toy with components of each one
the babies were interested in. If you choose to collect data with this method, using a
checklist might help to ensure your recorded information includes everything you
intended to observe.

2. Survey
Survey methods focus on gathering written or multiple choice answers about various
subjects from individuals. Typically, individuals interact with these questions online and
there is little to no interaction between survey distributors and survey respondents.
Companies may use them to gather quick internal or external feedback.
Example: A small car rental company called Rachel's Car Rentals is interested in
learning more about customers' perceptions and loyalty for renting a car with them. To
expand their reach and maintain cost efficiency, they choose to create and send out a
survey to all of their customers from the past six months with a deadline of two
weeks. The survey includes multiple choice and short answer questions, as well as
spaces for customers to provide additional comments if they have more insight to share.
Once the two weeks have passed and the company has collected all customer data,
they can analyze it and decide how to use their findings.If you choose to collect data
with this method, using technology survey building tools might help you to manage
distribution and the incoming results.

3. Focus group
Focus group methods focus on gathering information directly from users. This method
usually focuses more on feelings, opinions or emotions rather than statistics.
Companies may use focus groups to better understand their consumers.
Example: Green Wicker University is considering a brand refresh for their university
brand but wants to ensure that their target audiences will enjoy the brand's new image.
The university designers put together some mockup brand logos and materials to share
with focus group participants to gauge their perceptions. During this session, someone
from the marketing team may run the session as a moderator and stay with participants
to present them with each potential refresh idea. Before moving on to the next one, they
may stop and ask participants what they think or feel about what they are seeing. Green
Wicker University can then use those results to help guide the image of their brand
refresh. If you choose to collect data with this method, creating and using general
scripts can help guide the moderation for your focus group.
4. Interview
Interview methods can be more personal and involve face-to-face discussions about a
topic between the researcher and participant. Researchers might share the questions
with participants before interview sessions to allow them to decide if they feel
comfortable taking part. This method may include gathering consent forms for video or
audio recordings.
Example: Knit-a-little-bit, an instructional series focused on teaching people how to knit
at different levels, worries that they aren't gaining customers at their projected rate. To
understand the reasoning behind this, the company arranges for interviews with
potential customers to listen to their perspectives. During each interview, the researcher
asks participants questions and records their answers. Once interviewers record and
analyze the data collected from all interviews, the company may use it to help boost
their position in the market or make updates to their brand strategy.If you choose to
collect data with this method, recording sessions with video or audio might provide
benefits if you plan to reference them when creating future business plans.

5. Design thinking
Design thinking methods may focus on brainstorming with participants to generate
unique ideas or solutions. Companies might use this if they are interested in solving
challenges consumers face on their journey as product users. These sessions can
happen face-to-face or virtually depending on where researchers and participants are
located.
Example: Meditative Monkey, a meditation company, is interested in developing a new
product specifically for individuals who struggle to fall asleep at night. They tried to
brainstorm as a company, but want to gather more innovative ideas and decide to run a
design thinking session with participants. First, they write a protocol as a guide to
ensure that the session stays focused to gather as much information from participants
as possible. Their protocol contains a script and guided steps for the thinking process,
including: Write all the ideas you have, group them and finally vote for the ones you like
best. After the session, Meditative Monkey can review the ideas they received and
potentially use them for prototyping their new product.If you choose to collect data with
this method, whether you are face-to-face or virtual, using physical or technological
sticky notes might provide benefits for when you have participants group their ideas.
6. User testing
Companies usually use user testing during or after the development of products or
services. If they choose to use it during development, it might be to determine where
users find the product challenging to navigate. They might also use it after they have
already released a product or service if they are interested in making updates.
Example: Baller Bingo, a bingo game for smartphones, is interested in making updates
to their application. First, they want to understand where users specifically want
improvements and choose to use user testing methods. During their sessions, they ask
participants to engage with all aspects of the application and then ask them what
navigation or features they might like to see improved. Baller Bingo can then take this
information to implement updates to their game. If you choose to collect data with this
method, it may help to allow participants to go through products or services on their own
to avoid having your own biases or knowledge influence the user testing results.

Note: Paki disregard and color red na mga paragraphs. Hihihihi. Thank youo 