Data Collection Method
Data Collection Method
A.
Surveys
Surveys are used to collect data from the target audience and gather insights
into their preferences, opinions, choices, and feedback related to their products
and services.
Polls
Polls comprise of one single or multiple choice question. When it is required to
have a quick pulse of the audience’s sentiments, you can go for polls.
Interviews
In face-to-face interviews, the interviewer asks a series of questions to the
interviewee in person and notes down responses, interviewer can go for a
telephonic interview.
Delphi Technique
In this method, market experts are provided with the estimates and assumptions
of forecasts made by other experts in the industry. Experts may reconsider and
revise their estimates and assumptions based on the information provided by
other experts.
Focus Groups
In a focus group, a small group of people, around 8-10 members, discuss the
common areas of the problem. Each individual provides his insights on the issue
concerned. A moderator regulates the discussion among the group members.
Questionnaire
The respondents are required to answer printed set of questions based on their
knowledge and experience with the issue concerned. The questionnaire is a part
of the survey, whereas the questionnaire’s end-goal may or may not be a survey.
Quantitative Method
Smoothing Techniques
They eliminate a random variation from the historical demand. It helps in
identifying patterns and demand levels to estimate future demand by forecasting
techniques are the simple moving average method and the weighted moving
average method.
Barometric Method
Also known as the leading indicators approach, researchers use this method to
speculate future trends based on current developments. When the past events are
considered to predict future events, they act as leading indicators.
B.
Government reports
Press releases
Business journals
Libraries
Internet
The secondary data collection methods, too, can involve both quantitative and
qualitative techniques. Secondary data is easily available and hence, less time-
consuming and expensive as compared to the primary data. However, with the
secondary data collection methods, the authenticity of the data gathered cannot
be verified.