types of data collection

• Primary Data Collection: Primary data collection is collecting the data yourself. This is important to fully understand the issue and to ensure that you are collecting the data that will help you answer your question/hypothesis.
• Secondary Data Collection: Collecting information that has already been researched and put into written, statistical or mapped form. You need to check the accuracy/bias carefully and bare this in mind. You should also ensure that it shows the information that is relevant to your investigation.
• Quantitative Data: Use of numerical data - something that can be measured
• Qualitative Data: Opinions and observations
• Selection of Methods: You need to ensure that the methods you use will collect the data that will answer your hypothesis and that you have the equipment needed in order to carry it out effectively.