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Difference Between Survey and Data Collection
Think about the people from whom you are collecting data. What is the experience of providing data like? Is it stressful and confusing or simple and intuitive? Is it time-consuming or efficient?
Unfortunately, all too often, organizations design data collection processes that are too large, time-consuming or stressful.
One common example of this phenomenon is academic testing. In an effort to understand whether academic programs are working, many school systems around the world have implemented standardized tests. However, as the length and number of these tests have grown, some people have become concerned that children now spend too much time preparing for tests and too little time participating in other worthwhile activities. The measurement instrument, according to some, is damaging the educational experience of the participants.
Ensure that all participants give informed consent to collect and use their data.
In the past, many people have participated in studies without understanding the risks involved. As a result, these people have suffered.
This is why it is so important to ensure that the people you are collecting data from understand exactly what they are agreeing to participate in.
Depending on the type of data that you are collecting, there may be particular laws or regulations with which you need to comply. Rules for obtaining informed consent can be particularly complex when you are doing medical research or working with vulnerable populations like children, prisoners or the intellectually disabled.
Ensure that, when appropriate, participant data is kept anonymous and confidential.
Data is anonymous if it cannot be linked back to the individual who provided it. Data is confidential if it can only be accessed by those who have permission.
Often, when we collect information from individuals, we promise that the data will be kept anonymous and confidential. This helps us collect information about topics that people might otherwise not want to discuss.
It is extremely important that we keep these promises.
Releasing highly sensitive information, such as health, sexual or political information, can damage an individual’s reputation or safety. Even information that may not seem sensitive, such as addresses or ages, can cause harm if it is released. Imagine, for example, that you release the names and addresses of your beneficiaries. Individuals who might want to harm your beneficiaries could use your data to locate them.
Identify and avoid potential areas where your data may exacerbate existing inequities.
Even if you are extremely careful about collecting and presenting accurate data without any prejudice, there is no guarantee that the people who read about your data will be so careful. This is why you should always consider how others might use your data. Could it be used to cause harm to others?
For example, imagine that your organization is working with a low-status group of individuals. People belonging to this group are often blamed by politicians for local problems. Your data suggests that some of the people belonging to this group have committed crimes. Could the data that you release be used by political opponents to further damage this group of people?
