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Methods to collect Quantitative Data cvr

Quantitative data collection method - Types & Characteristics.

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Data collection and analysis is a proven method to make a confident business decision, understand the population, and improve business outcomes. But when it comes to data collection, researchers often confuse which type of data collection method to use. 

There are two major categorizations in the data collection methods in research – quantitative and qualitative. 

For the purpose of this blog, we will discuss the different types of quantitative data collection methods in detail. But before that, let’s start with quantitative data definition.

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What is Quantitative Data?

Quantitative Data is the collection of numerical data which has statistical significance. Unlike qualitative data, quantitative research uses numerical values to quantify attitudes, behaviors, opinions, and other variables to either prove or reject a hypothesis.
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Quantitative research involves the collection of numerical data by using close-ended or multiple-choice questions. The data collection method adopted by the researcher can vary; however, it is essential to choose an appropriate method for better results. 

In quantitative research, the questions asked must be objective and easy to understand on the audience’s part to collect and examine the received data. 

Quantitative data analysis includes two statistical analyses: descriptive and inferential. 

  • To be able to conclude data with data as a whole is descriptive statistic analysis. 
  • On the other hand, highlighting statistical significance in the difference between two or more data groups is inferential statistic analysis.

You can use online survey software to create surveys with quantitative questions and perform data analysis on the collected data.

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Quantitative data examples -

You can gather quantitative data at any point in the customer/ employee lifecycle. To clarify, let’s see some quantitative data examples. 

  • You can conduct quarterly employee well-being surveys by asking quantitative questions. 
  • You can conduct customer product reviews after they receive their product using a star-rating survey. 
  • You can also draw some statistics on ad performance based on past surveys conducted on similar ads. 

Now that we have established what is quantitative data, let’s take a look at the different types of data collection.

What are the 5 quantitative data collection methods?

We have established what is quantitative data and how to analyze them. But before we start to create surveys to collect quantitative data, we need to decide the best method to collect the data. 

Here we have compiled an extensive list of five types of data collection methods in quantitative research. 

  1. Survey
  2. Interviews 
  3. Observation
  4. Existing Data
  5. Probability

The list above only explains the main quantitative data collection methods available. Here’s a further breakdown of the list along to help you select the best approach.

1. Survey

Surveys aid in collecting data from a group or a large number of people. Surveys are ideal for both Quantitative and Qualitative research. It is among the most popular data collection methods in research along with interviews. 

In the case of quantitative data collection, you need to create surveys with closed-ended questions to gather numerical data. Some most used quantitative surveys are NPS® , CSAT, and CES. 

Two types of data collection via Surveys:

Online Questionnaire:

With more and more businesses coming online, the website questionnaire or survey method is the most trusted and most popular. 

Adding a pop-up survey on the website, sending a link via email, or sharing a survey on social media are some of the methods to collect quantitative data via online surveys. 

The respondent can reply to mail whenever they are free and from whichever device they are comfortable with. Moreover, a secure website and secure online survey software can prevent revealing the identity of the respondent. 

Mail/Postal Questionnaire:

In a mail questionnaire, the survey is mailed to the members of a sample population. The mail survey packet includes an explanation about the type of research and reason and the company detail, return address, and the questionnaire itself. 

However, there is a possibility of participants refusing to complete the survey. The company can survey by including a prepaid return, but it will be expensive for the company. 

A mail survey also lets the participant take their time to reply and prevent them from revealing their identity.

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2. Interviews

The second most sought-after quantitative data collection method is an interview. The interview involves a direct conversation between the researcher and the customers. Usually, it includes face-to-face, telephone, or computer-assisted interviews. 

There are three different types of interviews, each with another purpose. 

Structured Interview:

It is the base-level interview that is generally short and is verbally administered. It lacks depth, but structured interviews are helpful when the researcher requires some basic information and is time-bound.

Semi-structured Interviews:

The researcher has more freedom in a semi-structured interview to explore the relevant subject matter. It involves questions on the scope of the areas required and intended to be explored. 

Unstructured Interviews:

It involves in-depth questioning and discussion to collect and analyze a broad range of information. It is more time-consuming. 

These are the two quantitative data collection methods you can use to conduct interviews. 

  • Face-to-face
    A popular mode of interview, face-to-face interviews have the advantage of detailed discussion between the researcher and the participant. The response rate in a face-to-face interview is often higher, even if it is time-consuming and expensive. The quantitative data collected is also detailed.

Telephone
Telephone interview is more expensive, and there is always a higher chance of the respondent refusing to participate in the survey. Moreover, there can be other technical issues. However, with the advancement of technology, a slightly more advanced version of the telephonic interview is online video call interviews.

3. Observation

The third most popular method to collect quantitative data is an observational research method. The researcher either observes the audience as an observer, as a participant, an observer as a participant, or a participant as an observer. It is a simple method of collecting data where the researcher has to blend in with the environment. 

The researcher collects the quantitative data visually depending on their keen observation. Moreover, the advantage of the observation research method is that it does not create an awkward situation when the respondent is unwilling to participate. 

Structured Observation: 

This method of observation involves the researcher focusing on a specific area of interest. Structured observation intends to gauge a particular behavior or attitude of the audience properly.

4. Existing Data

Among all the types of quantitative data collection methods, existing data is a method to gather verifiable and quantifiable data from existing data. These records are easily accessible. The researcher can add new information along with the data derived from the existing documents.

Research journals and survey records tools are used to analyze existing data and establish new quantitative data. 

Public records:

Annual policy reports, student activity reports, and other reports that document reviews and ongoing records are examples of public records. 

Personal records:

Personal records include documents about an individual’s private details. Height, weight, and other such behavior, physique, etc., fall under this category.

Physical evidence:

Physical evidence is documents kept in the record by an individual or an organization.

5. Probability

A random selection of members in the sample population is the basic idea of probability. Although this method does not define the channel used, this is a critical quantitative data collection method. 

The researcher is capable of making statements based on the information obtained from the target audience. The data is collected in a random manner which disrupts any possibility of bias. 

Types of probability research methods used to collect quantitative data are: 

Simple Random Sampling:

In simple random sampling method, members of the population are selected randomly. Every member has a chance of selection. 

Systematic Sampling:

In systematic sampling, type members are chosen at a set interval. The researcher systematically selects the population—for example, every 5th or 10th person from the list. 

Stratified Sampling:

This sampling method allows the researcher to divide a population into units to create a sample. For example, the researcher can select a set of males or females in the model using a stratified sampling method. 

Having established the different quantitative data collection methods, let’s take a look at the characteristics of quantitative data.

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What are the characteristics of quantitative data?

Quantitative data are easy to collect and analyze. However, apart from these, we have listed some more characteristics of quantitative data. 

Numerical:

Quantitative data, because of its numerical feature, is definitive and objective. The data, illustrated and quantified, makes it more reliable. 

Comprehensive:

The data gathered in quantitative data gives a precise result when the data is robust. However, if the information is weak, the result will be unstable. Good quality, robust, and proven data will lead you to insightful, knowledgeable, and actionable results. 

Discrete as well as Continuous Data:

Discrete quantitative data possess finite numbers. Continuous quantitative data, however, has the possibility of having fractions and decimals

Wrapping up;

This sums up the various quantitative data collection methods you can use to gather insights. Quantitative data can gather numerical values which can help you uncover trends and patterns in the feedback. The data is easier to analyze and you can use an online survey tool to automate the entire process. 

Surveys and interviews are the most common approach to gathering quantitative data. These two methods help you interact directly with the audience and gather authentic insights from the source. Voxco offers you to conduct online surveys and interviews via phone or offline. 

Create surveys, distribute them, analyze and create reports all on the same platform. 

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