The successful techniques of data collection methods used by top research organizations

Blocksurvey blog author
May 9, 2023 · 4 mins read

Data collection and data analysis are two crucial processes for any organization to prosper in its fields. While there are several ways to collect and compile the data, one must be intrigued about the best data collection methods and analysis. Here we have compiled the best and most successful techniques for data collection used for various purposes by top research organizations.

An integral part of the launch of a product or service in the market is data collection. It is one of the major factors that decide the success or failure of the launch. The various extensive data collection techniques are classified into two categories such as:

  • Primary data collection methods and
  • Secondary data collection methods

Primary data collection implies a collection of data that is an exclusive requirement and specifically intended for the research. This data is not collected by anyone before and as the name suggests, primary for research. And is segmented into qualitative data collection methods and quantitative data collection methods.

Whereas secondary research data collection includes data collected by various resources beforehand not particularly aimed for the same objectives as the organization.

Here is a list of the most popular and effective data collection techniques both primary and secondary used by successful research organizations.

Observations:

It is one of the highly effective data collection techniques especially to collect simple information which involves simple mechanical tasks.There are around 8 different ways to observe and collect data.

For example, the data of the number of vehicles that pass by a particular highway can be obtained by assigning someone to observe it.

Pros:

  • More reliable data is obtained through observations rather than self-reported metrics.
  • It is a straightforward approach and less hypothetical than other methods of data collection.

Cons:

  • Since observations don’t involve direct communication with the subject, only one side of the story i.e. the observer’s is recorded which makes it biased.
  • Observations cannot account for deeper research. Say, we might be able to figure out the number of vehicles that pass by a particular highway but we might not be able to answer questions like why people choose that particular highway or why not other means.

Surveys and questionnaires:

It is the most commonly used data collection method. The surveys can be conducted both as an online survey and an offline survey so we can say it is a flexible method to both conducting authority and respondents. It provides us with a broader perspective since large groups of people can be involved in this method.

Example: Survey and questionnaire issued in public places like shopping malls with an offer or gift for the participants grab lots of attention and bring in more participants. Reviews and feedback can also be collected along with the survey to know about customer satisfaction.

A survey is one of the best ways for collecting data that produces quality results.

Pros:

  • The researchers can design and formulate questions with precision and structure.
  • The respondents can respond by taking an ample amount of time to think and answer at their own pace.

Cons:

  • Response rate can be slow and low for this particular method.
  • Since it does not involve actual human intervention, some minute details cannot be obtained.

Interviews:

This is the most well-known primary data collection method. This method is considered highly flexible because the questions can be adjusted and modified according to the participants. Interviews are most suited while we need to collect data related to complex issues like health and welfare. It helps to connect with the target audience on a more personal level. This can be used in both qualitative studies and quantitative studies.

Pros:

  • More accurate responses can be recorded by conducting interviews.
  • It helps to uncover more information that the researchers might not have thought of or expected.

Cons:

  • It is a time-consuming process to interview all the participants individually.
  • Also, the cost for conducting the interview, choosing a place, hiring an interviewer with the required skills is high.

Focus groups:

This is one of the primary data collection methods where a group of people with common interests or issues come together and have a discussion with a host from the organization.

Example: Parent-Teacher meetings conducted in schools and colleges are a form of focus group discussion.

Pros:

  • The interaction (response) rate is high in this method.
  • Facts can be correlated easily.

Cons:

  • Finding people who have the common interests or issues the organizer is expecting is a tedious process.
  • There might be one or two people in the group who might be dominating the others and pressing the recessive people’s voices.

Internet:

For obvious reasons, the internet is one of the most widely used secondary data collection methods all over the world.There are various free and paid research tools available too on the internet which makes the process much easier.

Pros:

  • It is a fast and easy data collection process.
  • Data can be collected irrespective of the demographics or only in particular demography based on the company’s preferences.
  • Can be highly beneficial for B2B markets

Cons:

  • The Internet can be misleading because there is as much false information as the authentic ones.

Government archives:

Like individual organizations collect data, the government also collects data for the betterment of a country. Some of these data can be accessed by anyone whereas some require special permission to access.

Pros:

  • The data is authentic and highly reliable.
  • Enough data required can be obtained with the archives since they hold a history of ages.

Cons:

  • While some data requires permission to access, some are not accessible at all.
  • Also, it takes time for the requests to be granted by the government to access data.

And hence we come to the end of the list,

These are the top techniques used by successful companies for data collection whilst there are still several other ways used according to the need. However, the above-mentioned techniques are far more than necessary, and easy to collect the required data for any research.

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blog author description

Vimala Balamurugan

Vimala heads the Content and SEO Team at BlockSurvey. She is the curator of all the content that BlockSurvey puts out into the public domain. Blogging, music, and exploring new places around is how she spends most of her leisure time.

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