Research Guide: Data collection techniques

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Under the main three basic groups of research methods (quantitative, qualitative and mixed), there are different tools that can be used to collect data. Interviews can be done either face-to-face or over the phone. Surveys/questionnaires can be paper or web based. Observations and experiments can be conducted to collect either quantitative, qualitative or a mixture of the two methods. Records can also be used to study previous information by other researchers.  

• Organise collected data as soon as it is available
• Begin with the end in mind - know what message you want to get across and then collect data that is relevant to the message
• Collect more data
• Create more data
• Regularly run experiments or collect data
• Challenge your assumptions
• Set reasonable expectations
• Take note of interesting or significant data
• Quantity is good but quality is even better