Introduction to Data Collection Tools

Data Collection is the process of gathering, measuring, and analyzing information on variables of interest to answer research questions, test hypotheses, and evaluate outcomes. Many different Data Collection Methodologies are used to collect and analyze the data, and they are developed to use the basic data collection methods.

Moreover, interviews, document analysis, observation, group discussion, photography, video, surveys, questionnaires, and case studies work under data collection methods by using their tools. It becomes easier to gather data through online resources with the help of electronic media and the internet.

Our society is extremely dependent on data, which highlights the importance of data collection. The researchers should identify the data types and their resources during the correction of the data.

Importance of Data Collection

Data collection methods are important in minimizing the possibility of error in decision-making. It helps the researchers identify accurate data and relevant resources. It saves the researcher time and money by providing a deep understanding of the topic.

It is important to ask three questions before collecting the data:

i) What is the purpose of data collection tools in research?

ii) What kind of data planning and data gathering tools are used?

iii) What is the procedure to collect data and process the information?

It is possible to break up data into qualitative and quantitative types. Qualitative data works for descriptions such as color, size, quality, and appearance. Quantitative data works for numbers such as statistics, poll numbers, percentages, etc.

There are certain steps in data collection methods.

☑ Ensure the research questions are followed properly.
☑ Minimize the error of the final output.
☑ Minimize the risk of errors in decision-making.
☑ Make decisions with exact data.
☑ Saves the researcher time and funds.
☑ Create proof for a new idea, innovation, etc.

Advantages of Data Collection

There are many advantages to data collection that work for Surveys, Focus Groups, interviews, Archival data, and Observations.

Surveys:

The basic requirements of a survey are knowledge, attitude, intentions, and behaviors. 

Advantages:

☑ It uses a fast and economical way to gather information for a large number of people.
☑ It is compatible with the administrator in the survey.
☑ It is used to analyze whether the survey is related.

Focus Groups:

The basic requirements of focus groups are attitude, opinions, and interpretations.

Advantages:

☑ A focus group helps to receive in-depth information.
☑ Discussion among a diverse group of members leads to information and insight.
☑ It helps to lower the cost and the time required.

Interviews:

The basic requirements of the interview are attitude, opinion, interpretations, motives, and experiences.

Advantages:

☑ Interviews can help you gather detailed information.

☑ Participants might disclose information and details that are not talked about in the survey in group focus.

Archival Data:

Archival data works by using three elements: service utilization, fidelity to protocols, and behaviors.

Advantages:

☑ Archival data monitors actual behavior and patient care.

☑ There are no scheduling issues, and consent is often not required.

Observations: 

The main element of observation is fidelity to protocols, behaviors, and environments.

Advantages:

☑ It records actual behaviors vs self-reported ones.

☑ It interacts between individuals and their physical and social settings.

Types of Data Collection Tools

Data Collection types are classified into two categories;

1. Primary Data Collection

Primary data collection is the process of gathering raw data. The researchers directly receive the data through surveys, interviews, or experiments. A typical example of primary data collection is a household survey. Primary data collection can be classified into two categories:

a. Quantitative Data Collection Method:

Quantitative data collection methods basically focus on testing theories and hypotheses. It uses statistical analysis through math and is mainly expressed in numbers, graphics, and tables. In general, it produces the figure after mathematical calculation. The key terms for quantitative data collection are testing, measurement, objectivity, and replicability. It requires many responses and closed (multiple choice) questions.

b. Qualitative Data Collection Method:

Qualitative data collection tools basically focus on exploring ideas and formulating a theory or hypothesis. It is analyzed by summarizing, categorizing, and interpreting. Qualitative data collection is mainly expressed in words. The main terms of qualitative data collections are understanding, context, complexity, and subjectivity. It requires responses and open-ended questions.

2. Secondary Data Collection

Secondary data collections are already collected by the researcher in an organization for a different purpose. For example, in reporting or research; the researcher needs to collect the data from magazines, newspapers, books, blogs, journals and etc. Compared to primary data collection, secondary data collection is less expensive and easier to collect. It can be either published data or unpublished data.

Secondary data collection methods for published data include;

☑ Government publication
☑ Websites
☑ Public records
☑ Historical and statistical documents
☑ Business documents
☑ Technical and trade journals
☑ Podcast
☑ Diaries
☑ Letters
☑ Unpublished biographies

However, it depends on the area of research, opportunity, niche type, and the project goal. These collections of data methods make correct decisions.

What to consider for data collection tools?

When a business completely relies on data, it is always better to select the perfect data collection tool. Hence, collect real-time data to perform better.

Consider the following attributes before using a data collection tool:

Variable type:

Every experiment contains two variables. One is the independent variable, and the other is the dependent variable. The independent variable is what the researcher tests, and the dependent variable is the result of the testing. In a variable collection of information and research, niches work predominantly.

Study design: 

Study design is the set of techniques and procedures used to collect the data and analyze it in a study. Descriptive, correlational, casual-comparative, and experimental research are the main types of study designs.

Data Collection Technique:

Includes sessions of interviews, observation, questionnaires, and relevant documents.

Sample data:

The first step in collecting sample data is deciding where to collect the data. It is used in statistical analysis methods to manipulate a subset of data points. Data sampling identifies patterns and trends in the large data set being examined.

Sample size:

It refers to the number of participants and the observation method of data collection included in the study. Sample size indicates two types of statistical properties.

1) The precision of our estimates

2) The power of the study to draw conclusions

Sample design:

A sample design refers to a decided plan to reach the sample from a given population. And it leads the procedure to inform the number of items to be included in the sample.

Top 6 Data Collection Tools

Here are the list of top popular data collection tools:

1. GoSpotCheck - best for data gathering technique.

GoSpotCheck uses the field of data to drive force for the business. It collects the data and analyzes real-time information. In addition, it helps to understand the current status of the sales force and plan for improvement.

Moreover, this tool is very helpful for the team and sales representatives to get a detailed report in real-time. Also, the data collection platform helps the team collect data to complete the task during fieldwork.

A few amazing features of GoSpotCheck are:

☑ Data collection apps are mobile-friendly.
☑ Field-first CRM helps to keep account information and sources up-to-date.
☑ Ability to capture photos and analytics to provide better context and increase marketplace visibility.
☑ Advanced reporting methods can be used to create charts and graphs.
☑ API/Integration is available.
☑ Content distribution to share knowledge with the team

2. Forms on Fire - Best for Digitizing Forms

To build digitized forms, cloud-based data collection tools are used. Its job is to capture the data to process in the market to help the workflow and data collection process. This platform makes it easier and more effective to analyze essential data.

It helps simplify the process of collecting the data, and it supports many powerful features like design, great analytics, and more. Third-party integrations can send or receive efficient data collection systems like Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Zapier, Dropbox, a custom API, etc.

A few amazing features of forms on fire are:

☑ There are online versions as well as offline versions available.
☑ It captures analytics and generates reports easily.
☑ Form designs are appreciatively appealing.
☑ It supports drag-and-drop features.
☑ Empower works to cover pre-design routing and rules-driven and user-defined workflows.
☑ It receives real-time notifications.

3. Repsly Mobile CRM - Best for Customer Data

This management tool works for all-in-one fields, and it minimizes the industry range at a high level. Repsly Mobile uses the data mining field easily and effortlessly. It uses a cloud-based CRM application that supports collecting and analyzing data in fields.

A few amazing features of Repsly Mobile CRM are:

☑ It contains the history of customer information, which is available at the user’s fingertips.
☑ Uses fly-customized mobile forms
☑ It receives device integration, notification alerts, and mileage tracking.
☑ Data reports are auto-transformative.
☑ Scheduling and reminders are comprehensive.
☑ Easy to view the competitor's brand and order management in real-time.
☑ It collects the data and reports it to the management team.

4. Fulcrum - Best for Mobile Data Collections

Fulcrum is the best mobile data collection application that is suited for both iOS and Android. It works quickly to design custom forms and perform tasks in the field of data collection directly in Android or iOS apps. Hence, it easily syncs with cloud-based data.

It captures sustainable data for both the field and office in order to empower the users. The Fulcrum Tool subscription plans are reasonable.

A few amazing features of Fulcrum are:

☑ It is possible to collect and input data both offline and online.
☑ It  speeds up the access to real-time data.
☑ It has the feature to capture the location automatically to collect the data with the help of GPS location.
☑ It uses the base maps of online data collection tools and offline resources.
☑ It can collect the signature and capture barcodes, photos, video, and audio.

5. Zonka Feedback - Best for Customer Feedback

Zonka is the best way to collect the data and capture the customer's data. It helps to collect the perfect feedback from customers and employees with stunning CSAT, CES, and NPS surveys and actionanable insights. This tool helps with further improvement and sustainability. Hence, the feedback forms are designed to collect customer data to analyze and generate ideas. Zonka feedback is flexible and easily customizable.

A few amazing features of Zonka Feedback are:

☑ It is an easy and fast way to set up surveys.
☑ Forms of survey design are easily customizable.
☑ It receives real-time reports, an email digest, and instant alerts for new feedback and low scores.
☑ It supports more than 30+ languages.

6. QuickTapSurvey - Best Offline Survey App

QuickTapSurvey is a famous tool for creating very interesting surveys and forms in minutes. It has the cable to capture the data from anywhere, even offline. It works as a proactive platform and is suitable for lead capture, in-person surveys, customer feedback, research, and audits.

A few amazing features of QuickTapSurvey are:

☑It captures all the details like address, contact number, email, etc.
☑ Online or offline data collection using iOS and Android devices
☑ Survey question types are available in more than 35+ languages.
☑ It is designed for both desktop and mobile capture.
☑ Based on the data collected, it gives alerts and notifications.

Conclusion

Data collection tools are systematic approaches to gathering relevant data and information about a specific topic from different sources. There are many powerful data collection tools that can be used to collect and analyze information, and they all contain the same core set of methods. It depends on the user-based research criteria to reach the goal.

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