Research Tips

Combining Data Collection Methods

There are a variety of methods for collecting survey data (e.g. mail, Web, phone, in-person, etc.), and each has its own strengths and weaknesses. The requirements of a particular research project (budget, time-frame, objectives, etc.) may make some data collection methods better choices than others. In some situations, the best choice may be to combine data collection methods. For example, if most of the people being surveyed have access to the Web, the bulk of the data could be collected that way, but this could be supplemented with mail or telephone data collection from participants who don’t have access to the Internet or are not as comfortable using it. Similarly, attempts to contact people who have not responded to an original request to participate in a survey could use a different data collection method than the original request.