Data collection is a technique or method used by researchers and policymakers to collect statistics and information comprehensively. Analyzing the gathered data will provide accessibility to real-time figures. The data will also facilitate the making of informed decisions. For example, data collection for dairy and agriculture in Bengaluru indicated that small agricultural households have livestock as their primary source of income.
In data collection, gathering perception data from remote areas and fragile contexts is challenging. However, with the assistance of innovative technology, it becomes much easier to collect data from socially inaccessible regions. Thus the technology can become a beneficial tool in data collection methodologies.
- Mobile phones, tablets, or laptops are examples of digital devices used for data collection. These devices support higher mobility in quantitative research. These wireless technologies help researchers and policymakers to ask questions and get live responses through text or website interaction. Experts of data collection for dairy and agriculture in Delhi are known to provide digital devices to conduct interviews.
- In crowd-sourcing and crowd seeding, multiple and varied technologies are employed to collect data. These methods provide real-time and comprehensive data. Software that allows users to give pieces of information voluntarily has been developed in crowd-sourcing methodology. In crowd seeding, trained personnel use technology to collect data from the required fields. These methods are deployed across Pan India and skill development Delhi trains personnel to use data collection software.
- Monitoring social media networks such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter etc., can facilitate the extraction of information and behaviour pattern of users.
- Geographical information systems, remote sensing and geospatial technology can be deployed to gather data related to travel and time. The data collected from these tools can be easily analysed and presented graphically. Furthermore, these tools can be used to locate areas of violent incidents.
- Data generated from information and communication technologies/ICT can aid in the prevention of crisis and tackle sources of violence. Through ICT technologies researchers can collect qualitative and quantitative data from remote and restricted areas. The revelation of signs of violence through data collection can enable efforts for preventing conflict.
- Surveys conducted through the internet are more efficient and flexible than paper surveys. These internet surveys can adapt questions based on the responses of previous users. Additionally, internet surveys enable unlimited scalability virtually. Since there is no manual entry of data, internet surveys have improved accuracy.
- Photographs and videos can capture qualitative data. Several photos and video sharing digital tools allow users to upload images and videos among closed groups.
With technology advancing at an unprecedented rate, significant changes are being made in data collection. However, the full potential of technology has not been fully discovered in data collection. The question of privacy and anonymity arises with the usage of technology in data collection. Furthermore, many individuals are not familiar with new technological tools. Hence, for efficient data collection, it is necessary to address the privacy issues and train people to use new digital devices.
To know more about data collection, get in touch with experts at Aim Research.
