What is the need for quantitative data collection?

Quantitative data is everything about figures and numbers. Researchers often rely on
quantitative data when they intend to quantify attributes, attitudes, behaviors and other
defined variables with a motive to either back or oppose the hypothesis of a specific
phenomenon by contextualizing the data obtained via surveying or interviewing the study
sample.

Two types of data collection :

1. Online data collection

However, you will need computational, statistical, and mathematical tools to derive results
from the collected quantitative data.

Methods used for quantitative data collection

1. Probability sampling
The best things about the probability sampling is it allows researchers to collect the data from
representatives of the population they are interested to study. Besides, the data is collected
randomly from the selected sample rules out the possibility of sampling bias.

There are three major types of probability sampling

a) Simple random sampling: More often the targeted demographic is chosen for
inclusion in the sample.
b) Systematic random sampling: Any of the targeted demographic would be included in
the sample, but only the first unit for inclusion in the sample is selected randomly rest
are selected in the ordered fashion as if one out of every 10 people on the list.
c) Stratified random sampling: It gives an opportunity to select each unit from a
particular group of the targeted audience while creating a sample. It is useful when the
researchers are selective about including a particular set of people in the sample, i.e.
only males or females, managers or executives, people working in a specific industry.
2. Interviews

There are three major types of interviews conducted for data collection :
 a) Telephone interviews: For years telephone interviews ruled the charts of data
collection methods. However, nowadays there is a significant rise in conducting video
interviews using the internet, Skype or similar online video calling platforms.
b) Face-to-face interviews: It is a proven technique to collect data directly from the
participants. It helps in acquiring quality data as it provides a scope to ask detailed
questions and probing further to collect rich and informative data. Literacy
requirements of the participant are irrelevant as F2F interviews provide ample
opportunities to collect non-verbal data through observation or to explore complex
and unknown issues. Although it can be an expensive and time-consuming method,
the response rates for F2F interviews are often higher.
c) Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI): It is nothing but a similar setup of
the face-to-face interview where the interviewer carries a desktop or laptop along with
him at the time of interview to upload the data obtained from the interview directly
into the database. CAPI saves a lot of time in updating and processing the data and
also makes the entire process paperless as the interviewer does not carry a bunch of
papers and questionnaires.
3. Surveys/questionnaires

Surveys or questionnaires created using online survey software are playing a pivotal role in
online data collection be is quantitative or qualitative research. The surveys are designed in a
manner to legitimize behavior and trust of the respondents. More often checklists and rating
scale type of questions make the bulk of quantitative surveys as it helps in simplifying and
quantifying the attitude or behavior of the respondents.

There are two major types of survey questionnaires are used to collect online data for
quantitative market research.

Web-based questionnaire: This is one of the ruling and most trusted methods for internet-
based research or online research. In a web-based questionnaire the receive an email
containing the survey link, clicking on which takes the respondent to a secure online survey
tool from where he/she can take the survey or fill in the survey questionnaire. Being a cost-
efficient, quicker, and having a wider reach, web-based surveys are more preferred by the
researchers. The major benefit of a web-based questionnaire is flexibility, respondents are
free to take the survey in their free time using either a desktop, laptop, tablet or mobile.
Mail Questionnaire: In a mail questionnaire the survey is mailed out to a host of sample
population enabling the researcher to connect with the wide range of audience. The mail
questionnaire typically consists of a packet containing a cover sheet that introduces the
audience about the type of research and reason why it is being conducted along with a
prepaid return to collect data online. Although, the mail questionnaire has a higher churn rate
and compared to other quantitative data collection methods certain perks such as reminders
and incentives to complete the survey helps in drastically improving the churn rate. One of
the major benefits of the mail questionnaire is all the responses are anonymous and
respondents are allowed to take as much time as they want to complete the survey and be
completely honest about the response without the fear of prejudice.

4. Observation.

Naturalistic observation is used to collect both types of data qualitative and quantitative but
structured observation is more used to collect quantitative rather than the qualitative data.

Structured observation: In this type of observation method the researcher has to make
careful observations of one or more specific behaviors in a more comprehensive or structured
setting compared to naturalistic or participant observation. In a structured observation, the
researchers rather than observing everything, focus only on very specific behaviors of
interest. It allows them to quantify the behaviors they are observing. When the observations
require a judgment on the part of the observers – it is often described as coding, which
requires a clearly defining a set of target behaviors.

5. Document Review

Document review is a process used to collect data after reviewing the existing documents. It
is an efficient and effective way of gathering data as documents are manageable and are the
practical resource to get qualified data from the past. Apart from strengthening and
supporting the research by providing supplementary research data document review has
emerged as one of the beneficial methods to gather quantitative research data.

There are three primary document types that are being analyzed for collecting supporting
quantitative research data

Public Records: Under this document review, official, ongoing records of an organization
are analyzed for further research. Example, annual reports policy manuals, student activities,
game activities in the university, etc.
Personal Documents: In contrast to public documents, this type of document review deals
with individual personal accounts of individuals actions, behavior, health, physique, etc.
Example, the height, and weight of the students, distance students are traveling to attend the
school, etc.

Physical Evidence: Physical evidence or physical documents deal with previous