Tools and methods for gathering data abound. Different tools are often suited to different types of projects. Knowing what will best fit your particular needs may take some thought. To help you make your decision, here are a couple of points you should consider when opting for data collection software.
What Type of Data?
Data comes in many formats: audio, video, text, numbers, GPS coordinates, and so on. Depending on your needs, your data collection software has to include the appropriate features to capture your data. Next, the nature of your project will determine whether you want to gather quantitative or quantitative data; some tools are more suitable for one than the other. You already know what type of data you’re dealing with. Make sure your software has the ability to capture and gather your data the way you like it.
What For?
Collecting data is almost never the final step of anything at all. It is rather a means to an end. After you gather the information you need, you’ll naturally try to gain insight and drive value from it. That is usually the point of the whole thing. For that, you need the proper analysis tools that will help you achieve your objectives. You may want to have graphical charts, descriptive summaries, or reports. Try to go for something that provides just that. If you plan to use the collected data with other tools that you’re familiar with, your software should allow you to export your data in the format that you want.
What Is Your Budget?
Prices for data software tools vary from open-source to, well, a lot. Some free products can be good enough for a simple and small data collection project. The most expensive ones may be more than you actually need. Chances are, you’re better off not going for either end of the spectrum. You’ll want to look for a perfect balance of cost and capabilities before making your decision. Depending on your budget, narrow down your options and compare them. Take into account all the other factors and make sure you get all the features you need for the price you are paying.
Who Will Use It?
Your project may require many people to access, update, and manage your data collection software. It’s necessary to check how many users the software supports. Additionally, different users may not need to have the same level or extent of access. Check whether the software you’re considering incorporates multiple levels of access. Another thing to look out for is how easy it is to share data, in a secure way, between the various users. That will make collaboration and checkups much easier. Depending on who is going to use the software and for what purpose, accessibility and ease of use can also be important. This will largely depend on the complexity of your data and how much technical competence it requires.
How Big Is Your Data?
If you seek to gather a million survey responses, make sure your data collection software won’t just give up after a thousand. The scale of your project should definitely be taken into consideration when choosing the best software. Not all tools are intended for large datasets; some can get really slow when processing that much data. A general rule is to opt for a tool that can grow as your project grows and won’t limit you in any way regardless of the size of your data. Don’t hesitate to contact your prospective vendor and ask whether it’s possible for their software to support your particular project.
Who Is Behind It?
Our final tip is to always check who developed the software. Good software is one that is constantly maintained and regularly updated. So, you want to know that there are people working on that. You would hate it if silly glitches and bugs impacted your work. Your software has to be reliable and capable of accompanying you throughout all stages of your project. The security of your data is another very important thing to consider. You want to know exactly how your data is stored and handled, and, when necessary, archived and removed. This is especially significant when you are dealing with sensitive or confidential information.
Working with data can be really tricky without the proper tools. Picking the right software is integral to any data collection project you undertake. It will greatly enhance the quality and accuracy of your work. Knowing what exactly you will be doing and what exactly you want to have in software will help a lot in making your decision. So, take as much time as needed and carefully choose the software that will let you collect data in the best possible way.
