Data Collection Process

Data Collection Process
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Data Collection Process
The data collection process entails identifying the information that is needed and where to get it. In particular, it comprises four crucial steps. First, the researcher must construct a data-gathering form to help organize the information collected. Second, a coding strategy should be determined to represent the data on the form (Salkind, 2017). Third, the actual data is collected. Fourth, the gathered data is entered into the data collection form. The paper focuses on the benefits of the data collection process and examines the ten commandments of data collection.
The data collection process is significant since it helps a researcher to acquire vital information that facilitates effective decision-making. For example, a business can gather data about consumers’ buying patterns to know the fast-moving products or those that sell in large volumes during a specific period. After analyzing that data, the enterprise can ensure to renew its stock to ensure that there is no shortage of certain products, which are highly demanded during the peak season. Another importance of the data collection process is problem identification. The information gathered can help a researcher determine a potential or existing issue and address it. Other benefits include data that can be used to support an individual’s arguments, facilitates strategic planning, determine what a business or person is doing well, and saves time.
Notably, the data collection process is tedious and might be the most time-consuming project part. However, the following ten commandments of data collection are crucial and should be observed to avoid errors. First, the researcher should get permission from the institutional review board before gathering the information (Salkind, 2017). The board assures an individual that the data collection form is suitable and gives the go-ahead. Second, when thinking about the research question, always identify the data type to be collected in answering it.
The third commandment of data collection involves knowing where to obtain the data after identifying the data type (Salkind, 2017). For instance, if a researcher is searching for historical data or files, it would be appropriate to visit a library and retrieve this information. However, if one wants to study how consumers in a specific firm select products and check out, the best data collection strategy is observa...