Free Article: Primary Data Collection

You are here:
Directory | Data Collection |

Primary Data Collection: A Few Different Methods Used by Individuals
By Myles Johnstone

Primary data collection methods involve individuals collecting data for themselves using means such as interviews as well as questionnaires. The main feature of primary data collection is that the information that is collected is unique to the individual and his or her research, and is not seen by anyone else until after it has been published. A number of different methods of collecting primary data are used including questionnaires, interviews, focus group interviews, observations, case-studies, diaries, critical incidents as well as portfolios.

Primary data collection using interviews, questionnaires, observations and historical methods may be qualitative in nature or quantitative. Questionnaires are very popular means that are employed to collect data, though designing a good questionnaire may prove to be difficult, and may require a number of rewrites. Interviews are a technique that is employed in order to get an understanding of the reasons as well as motivations behind people's attitudes, preferences or behaviors. This means of primary data collection can be undertaken on a one-to-one basis or in groups.

Interviews are a good means of primary data collection that can be conducted at work, at home or in the streets or even in a shopping centre. On the other hand, observations involve making a record of the behavioral patterns of people, objects as well as events in a systematic manner, and observations may be structured or unstructured methods, disguised or undisguised, natural or contrived, personal, mechanical, non-participant, or participant.

Another method used in primary data collection is that of case studies which generally refers to quite an intensive examination of a person, small groups of persons, or a solitary company. Using case studies, one can measure what is there as well as how it got there, and it can be considered to be historical by nature. Researchers will be able to explore, unravel as well as understand problems, issues as well as relationships.

There are also the diaries, which are a means of collecting information about how individuals spend their time on activities of a professional nature. The use of diaries ignores items such as engagements or personal journals, and concentrates on recording either quantitative or quantitative data or it can be used in management research to make available information about working patterns as well as activities.

A primary data collection method used sometimes is the critical incident techniques that try and identify the more remarkable aspects of job behavior and assumes that jobs are made up of critical as well as non-critical tasks. Finally, portfolios can measure a manager's ability by being able to express in numbers as well as duration of issues or problems that have been dealt with at a given point of time. One can compile problem portfolios by recording information about the causes of a problem, methods used to solve it as well as difficulties encountered, and more. All these primary data collection methods may be used depending on individual requirements, and will be sure to provide useful information to researchers and users.

Author Details:
Myles Johnstone writes exclusively about finance related sites such as Refinancing Finance Info.com and Small Business Finance Info.com

Source: Business & Finance Article Directory

NOTE: This article may be reproduced ONLY if this note, the author details, source and ALL links remain in place and active.

Articles About Data Collection:

• Data Collection Serves Many Purposes
• What you Need to Know About Automated Data Collection
• Automatic Data Collection: Everything you Need to Know About it
• Bar Code Data Collection: Increasing Efficiency in Data Collection at the Warehouse
• Why Companies Need Billing Data Collection
• Understanding About BCPS Data Collection: What you Need to Know
• Data Collection Methods for Businesses
• Data Collection And Statistics Provide Important Information
• Everyday Uses for Data Collection Devices
• Excellent Data Collection Forms Provide Excellent Data
• Using Data Collection Instruments
• Benefits of Using Data Collection and Market Research Services
• Figuring out What you Need to Know About a Data Collection Plan
• Data Collection Process Varies By Use Of Information
• The Need for a Data Collection Service
• The Data collection sheet: An Important Tool for Gathering Valuable Information
• Data Collection software: Upgrading the Data Collection System of Your Company
• Data Collection Strategy Should Be First Step In Change
• Understanding Properly About the Data Collection System
• Data Collection Techniques Are Important to Research Findings
• The Importance of a Data Collection Terminal in the Manufacturing Business
• The Importance of Using the Latest Technology with a Data Collection Tool
• Electronic Data Collection Enhances Research Studies
• The Need for Factory Data Collection
• Applications of Financial Data Collection
• GPS Data Collection: What you Need to Know
• How we can Improve Data Collection Systems of Today
• Forms of Internet Data Collection
• The Land Survey Data Collection is Replacing Manual Collection Means
• How Companies Use Manufacturing Data Collection
• Medical Payment Data Collection Agency: What it is and What it is all About
• A Mobile Data collection Means Many Advantages and Better Accessibility
• The Benefits of Monthly Data Collection
• National Data Collection Provides Host Of Information
• Observation For Data Collection Not Good For Verbal Information
• Primary Data Collection: A Few Different Methods Used by Individuals
• Research Data Collection: What you Need to Know
• Shop Floor Data Collection Provides Information for Researchers
• A Few Common Methods are Currently Being Used for Survey Data Collection
• Wireless Data Collection: Data Collection on the Move

You are here:
Directory | Data Collection |