2. Methods of collecting original source data.

Original source data is where you have made efforts to obtain the data directly.

But before going on to give you some examples, consider what methods are available to gather original data.

These include:

Questionnaires

Questionnaires are a commonly used method of collecting data from people. They are simple to administer and most respondents are familiar with filling them in, either in a paper format or online.

Questionnaires make it easy to collect information in a standardised way and so long as the questions have been carefully thought out are straightforward to analyse.

Face to face interviews

Interviews allow you to collect a greater depth of data and understanding from people than is possible by just using a questionnaire.

Observation

The data gatherer observes what is happening during a process or event and produces some kind of data file as a result.

Data Logging

An automated method of gathering physical data by using sensors.