Research / Data collection / Fieldwork

Research helps to find an appropriate solution for the particular problem. However, when we think about a genuine solution, we think about the data collection process. Depending on your PhD research objectives you need to decide the appropriate data collection method. In general there are different types of data collection, broadly classified as

1) Primary data collection:

In this method you collect the data yourself using methods such as interviews and questionnaire. In this method of data collection, your work is unique and no one has access to publish the same. Under this method, there are several types including:

• Portfolios
• Critical incidents
• Diaries
• Case-studies
• Observation
• Focus group interviews
• Interviews
• Questionnaires

Data collected using the above methods may be quantitative in nature or qualitative. Information collected through Quantitative data is quantifiable. Example the consumption of petrol and diesel in India. In the case of qualitative data, that cannot be expressed in standard units of measurements this is because they are features, or qualities.

2) Secondary data collection

In this type of data, information is collected from the already collected data. This type of data collection method is less expensive in terms of time, money, and effort. However, secondary data will be reliable only if it’s been collected by unbiased, intelligent and trained investigators. Before collecting data, PhD research scholars must scrutinize and edit the data for the following

• Reliable
• Suitable and
• Adequate