Data collection is a systematic process of gathering observations or measurements. Whether you are performing research for business, governmental or academic purposes, data collection allows you to gain first-hand knowledge and original insights into your research problem.

While methods and aims may differ between fields, the overall process of data collection remains largely the same. Before you begin collecting data, you need to consider:

• The aim of the research
• The type of data that you will collect
• The methods and procedures you will use to collect, store, and process the data.

You may need to develop a sampling plan to obtain data systematically. This involves defining a population, the group you want to draw conclusions about, and a sample, the group you will actually collect data from.

Your sampling method will determine how you recruit participants or obtain measurements for your study. To decide on a sampling method you will need to consider factors like the required sample size, accessibility of the sample, and timeframe of the data collection.

A well-designed sampling plan ensures representative samples, enhancing the validity and generalizability of research findings. Here are the steps involved in developing a sampling plan:

Defining the Research Objectives

Selecting the Sample Size

Choosing the Sampling Technique

Calculating the Sampling Error