Data collection for any research purpose is crucial, as it gives the scientific rigour to your research. The conclusions we present from our research are solely derived from the interpretation of data in any scientific field. Thus, the data collection should be authentic, purposeful, and genuine. However, in my opinion, it is the most difficult task to achieve. I am a researcher in Industrial Psychology, and I am writing this blog only from this perspective.
Steps in data collection
a. Planning phase of the Data Collection
When you embark on a vacation without any planning, you may find yourself uncertain about many aspects of your experience, such as where to stay, where to visit, what to eat, when to return, and how much you are willing to spend. Similarly, when you have to collect data for your research, you need to plan beforehand what data you want, where you want it, what form of it you want, how you will get it, and your involvement in the data collection. This planning in the researcher’s language is called Methodology. You need to plan what you seek to find from this research and the appropriate participants to collect the data. Once you decide on it, you need to find ways to contact them. Sometimes, you may find these participants within your community. Other times, you may have to take formal permission to visit a specific place to collect data. For instance, in my data collection, my target participants were the organizational population. I had to first establish contact with someone from a particular organization, and through them, I would visit that organization to first get permission to collect data, and if given, I would talk to people of that particular organization to seek appropriate data from them.
You need to preplan what information you seek and in what form. We psychologists often use standardized questionnaires to take participants’ behavioural measurements. These questionnaires should be consistent with our research questions. At times, the participants would engage in behavioural tasks, while at other times, we would conduct interviews. In my PhD research, all the above forms of data collection were involved. Also, how will you record the data in digital or paper-and-pencil forms? My recommendation is that it all depends on your data type. However, if it is quantitative, I mostly prefer paper-and-pencil as it could give the participants an immediate push to complete the form. Usually, in the digital filling up of questionnaires, participants procrastinate for later, ultimately losing systemic data. If it is in qualitative form, it is best to voice or video record the data wherever consent is given. Otherwise, one can also take field notes.
b. Execution of the Data Collection
Once the appropriate planning is done, you need to go to the site or call your participant to the laboratory and diligently act on your planning. Here, you need to be consistent in your actions. Otherwise, your data could be confounding. While unplanned deviations are sometimes unavoidable, you should never compromise your methodology. Keeping yourself emotionally and physically sane during this period is also important.
c. Analyzing the Preliminary data
As soon as you collect the data, it's important to organize it appropriately. Arrange the questionnaires in the appropriate platform (Excel or SPSS), and expedite transcriptions for qualitative data. In my experience, the more organized you are during data collection, the less stress you experience. After organizing the data, you can conduct a preliminary analysis to determine the direction of your research.
d. Replanning and re-executing if necessary
Often, researchers start with a pilot study. A pilot study involves implementing the research design on a similar small sample to assess its feasibility and predict potential results. At this stage, the study's design may undergo necessary changes to align with its requirements. Once the design is fixed, it should not be changed in the actual data collection.
Obstacles in data collection
a. Loss of data or loss of participants
One of the main concerns in data collection is the loss of already collected data. We researchers should be mindful of preserving the data in the appropriate place once collected. Data is often lost due to technical errors and sometimes due to the researcher’s failure to keep it safe. Therefore, we recommend making multiple copies of the data once collected and storing them in different locations to prevent such situations.
Another loss of data could happen due to a participant’s withdrawal from the research. In psychology, we give full freedom to the participants to withdraw from the research anytime they want. Thus, this could happen when the participants reach halfway or even complete the data but withdraw their participation. In such circumstances, researchers should reflect on why this is happening. Is there any systemic loss? If so, it could offer valuable insights into the data itself. However, if the participant chooses to withdraw, you cannot compel them to continue, nor can you include their decision in the analysis.
b. Dynamics of the human mind
In social science disciplines like ours, we mostly collect data from human participants in the laboratory or the field. Now, wherever human beings are involved, there will be dynamics. During the data collection process, you will encounter a diverse range of individuals. You will encounter individuals who are enthusiastic, not so enthusiastic, overly cooperative (sometimes with ulterior motives), aggressive, or possess narcissistic traits, among others. Wait, it is not all negative! Most of the time, you get good people who will cooperate with you. For this, the best approach is to explain to them the purpose of your research and the purpose you would like to talk about. Make them comfortable and explain to them the importance of their data in this research. Also, explain the implication of their authentic data for the betterment of society.
As I have already mentioned, sometimes there would be unpleasant experiences during data collection. If I had to share an experience, in one of the places I visited, the HR of the company had some kind of romantic inclination towards me. In the initial days, he was very cooperative and overly caring to the extent that he paid for my lunches and travels, even though I repeatedly insisted that I did not want these privileges. He would also send me messages in odd hours. After a few days, his behaviour drastically changed towards my work when he understood that I had no romantic interest in him. Fortunately, my data collection in that office was just a matter of ten days. In such situations, you need to maintain professionalism and communicate your professional intention. In my case, I insisted on not taking any extra privileges that he offered me, and I would not reply to his messages except between 10 am and 6 pm. Also, I vocalized multiple times that I am here only with a professional intention and am grateful that they are helping me fulfil this professional need. You must also inform your supervisor, friends, family, or anyone you are comfortable with about such incidents. Moreover, remember that your safety is most important. You should immediately leave that place if you feel unsafe during data collection. The data could be replaced. However, the safety should not be compromised.
Another unpleasant incident happened to me in another company, where the contact person sent me to one of his colleagues and recommended him to help me. The person whom I was sent was not interested in my project. However, instead of directly communicating that, he kept me waiting in his cabin while silently continuing with his work in my presence. After waiting for an hour, when I decided to ask him, he started insulting me and my work without any rationale. I immediately decided to leave that place. In such situations, it is important to regulate your emotions and understand that it is not worth putting yourself in such situations and wasting your time.
Understand that you are dealing with humans with various dynamics in data collection in the social sciences. Informed consent is necessary, and be as transparent as possible in the informed consent. You and your participants have the right to withdraw from the study if there are moments of discomfort or other reasons.
Conclusion
In my experience, data collection in research is the most crucial stage, and the more systematic you are in this process, the more confident you are with your results. You need to take proper steps to follow your research design and keep yourself emotionally and physically healthy. Despite the challenges, data collection remains one of the most rewarding aspects of research. It’s a journey of growth, learning, and discovery.
Have you faced challenges during data collection? Share your experiences in the comments below. I would love to hear your thoughts!
Happy researching!!
Prarthana Saikia
Research scholar
IIT Jodhpur, India.
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