Data Collection Tool
Automate your data collection with GoSurvey. Collect data using your smartphone or tablet even when there’s no internet connection.
What is a Data Collection Tool?
A data collection tool is a software or app used to collect data from the target groups, analyze the gathered data, and derive meaningful information. It is based on several methodologies that help you to automate and streamline data collection.
Everything can be done from a single tool, from gathering data to generating results and analyzing the reports for decision-making. A data collection app offers a more reliable and comfortable way to manage data while ensuring the safety, security, and authenticity of data. There are no extra costs associated with it. You only pay for the subscription and leverage the benefits as per your plans.
Employing online tools for gathering data provides evidence for the credibility of answers to the raised questions. It ensures the integrity of research behind the whole process. Apart from this, these tools allow businesses to collect data from anywhere in the world at their comfort. You can enjoy customized features as per your requirements rather than just setting up questionnaires.
Types of Tools for Data Collection
Selecting the right tool for collecting data ensures that you are on the right track to achieving your end goal. Here are three types of tools for data collection that you can consider as per your requirements.
Paper-based surveys are the traditional way that require papers for printing questions and writing customer responses. Whatever be the type of survey you conduct, you have to visit the location, carry bundles of papers with you, and write responses. Even if there are hundreds of questions for each respondent, you have to print a separate survey form for each of them.
Paper-based surveys are useful in field data collection where you meet customers in-person and collect responses, understanding their reactions and behavior. There’s no question left unattempted as the person in-charge for conducting surveys will be filling the forms themself.
Limitations:
- Managing a large number of papers is exhausting.
- There are chances of papers being lost or damaged, which results in loss of work.
- Paperwork is time-consuming and requires re-entering the data in systems for analysis and reports.
- Editing responses is challenging.
- When there’s more interrelated information to be collected, paper-based surveying becomes more complicated.
Online tools for data collection allow you to collect data using survey links. There’s no paperwork required right from collecting data to generating the results and analyzing the reports. Using these tools, you can create surveys for your internet audience and gather data by sharing survey links or QR codes to their preferred platforms like email, SMS, and social media. Once your data is collected, the tool will automatically create reports based on the data in different formats.
Online tools enable you to conduct surveys from anywhere across the world. There’s no need to travel to the survey location to collect responses. You and your audience can have a seamless survey experience in the comfort of your homes. Just create a survey, publish it, and share the web URL of the survey with your audience. They will fill the survey form, and you will get your responses while sitting at your place.
Limitations:
- Online tools are best for tech-savvy people who have access to the internet and are aware of emails or social media sites.
- The devices require an internet connection to collect data and not be of any use in no-internet zones.
Offline data collection tools work just like online tools with all the features for an internet audience with an added advantage for field data collection. The best part - there’s no internet connection required when you visit survey locations to collect data with offline tools. It does eliminate the use of papers while removing internet dependency as well. You can collect and store your data even when not connected to the internet.
Offline tools do require an internet connection when you need to upload data to your account and generate results of the survey. Whenever you enter an internet zone, your data is synced to the cloud from the application, and reports are automatically generated and ready for analysis. You can even track your surveyor’s GPS location, record audio in the background, and the surveyors can authenticate the phone numbers of respondents with OTP functionality offline.
Offline tools overcome the limitations of both online tools and paper-based surveys. There is no internet requirement for collecting data, no paperwork required, no data loss, and everything stored in the application even when you log out without uploading the data to your account.
Paper-based Surveys
Paper-based surveys are the traditional way that require papers for printing questions and writing customer responses. Whatever be the type of survey you conduct, you have to visit the location, carry bundles of papers with you, and write responses. Even if there are hundreds of questions for each respondent, you have to print a separate survey form for each of them.
Paper-based surveys are useful in field data collection where you meet customers in-person and collect responses, understanding their reactions and behavior. There’s no question left unattempted as the person in-charge for conducting surveys will be filling the forms themself.
Limitations:
- Managing a large number of papers is exhausting.
- There are chances of papers being lost or damaged, which results in loss of work.
- Paperwork is time-consuming and requires re-entering the data in systems for analysis and reports.
- Editing responses is challenging.
- When there’s more interrelated information to be collected, paper-based surveying becomes more complicated.
Online Data Collection Tools
Online tools for data collection allow you to collect data using survey links. There’s no paperwork required right from collecting data to generating the results and analyzing the reports. Using these tools, you can create surveys for your internet audience and gather data by sharing survey links or QR codes to their preferred platforms like email, SMS, and social media. Once your data is collected, the tool will automatically create reports based on the data in different formats.
Online tools enable you to conduct surveys from anywhere across the world. There’s no need to travel to the survey location to collect responses. You and your audience can have a seamless survey experience in the comfort of your homes. Just create a survey, publish it, and share the web URL of the survey with your audience. They will fill the survey form, and you will get your responses while sitting at your place.
Limitations:
- Online tools are best for tech-savvy people who have access to the internet and are aware of emails or social media sites.
- The devices require an internet connection to collect data and not be of any use in no-internet zones.
Offline Data Collection Tools
Offline data collection tools work just like online tools with all the features for an internet audience with an added advantage for field data collection. The best part - there’s no internet connection required when you visit survey locations to collect data with offline tools. It does eliminate the use of papers while removing internet dependency as well. You can collect and store your data even when not connected to the internet.
Offline tools do require an internet connection when you need to upload data to your account and generate results of the survey. Whenever you enter an internet zone, your data is synced to the cloud from the application, and reports are automatically generated and ready for analysis. You can even track your surveyor’s GPS location, record audio in the background, and the surveyors can authenticate the phone numbers of respondents with OTP functionality offline.
Offline tools overcome the limitations of both online tools and paper-based surveys. There is no internet requirement for collecting data, no paperwork required, no data loss, and everything stored in the application even when you log out without uploading the data to your account.
What is the Purpose of Data Collection for Businesses?
With businesses connected with their customers, clients, users, employees, partners, or competitors, collecting data tells them a different story about each of their relationships. This story helps them to:
When you have accurate data by your side, you are capable of taking an informed and the correct decisions to grow your business.
Data collection helps you in procuring the right information on factors which could help you grow.
Data helps you in knowing your target audience - their needs and requirements with ease.
Data collection when done aptly and accurately can give your business and edge to race ahead in quick-time.
Save time and money by investing on a data collection tool that can help you grow your business.
When you have a solid data on your table, you can always imagine, create and succeed in your plans.
Every customer you meet will have a different story with your brand. Greet them with a personal attention.
Benefits of Tools for Data Collection
Using data collection tools for research and analysis related to your business ensures accurate, analysed, and insightful data and overcomes the challenges while gathering data. Take a closer look at the benefits of these tools.
1. Collect data without an internet connection
Data collection has never been easier before the advent of data collection tools. The biggest challenge that most of you encounter during field data collection is unavailability of internet connectivity. But now, you won’t bother collecting data in a no-internet zone any more because offline tools allow you to conduct surveys without an internet connection.
GoSurvey works truly offline that lets you collect data seamlessly and the best part about it is that there is no data loss at all. The data stays in the app itself while in offline mode and gets synced with your account when connected again with an internet connection.
2. Takes less time to collect and analyse data
Manual data collection is time-consuming; from printing survey questions to analysing results, you need significant time and resources to invest in the process. With data collection tools you just need to create a survey, decide your questions, and launch your surveys. Go out and collect data anywhere, come back and analyse data in a matter of seconds. It’s quick, easy and convenient.
GoSurvey requires a minimum of human effort from creating surveys to getting results. You just have to enjoy your clicks and relax your mind when GoSurvey is in action. You can view and download data in multiple formats.
3. Accurate and verified data
Accuracy and authenticity is a must when you collect data from a variety of sources and with a number of people involved. Incomplete information can mislead you while making decisions. Data collection tools eliminate the chances of collecting inaccurate data
The OTP (one time password) feature in GoSurvey that works in both online and offline mode. This feature allows you to validate the mobile number of the respondent. You can use the OTP to validate if the data entered belongs to real people and is not fake.
4. No paperwork required
Paper-based surveys are more challenging than they seem to be. Printing countless papers for hundreds of questions, managing and carrying papers all along while surveying, and then entering the entire data in your system. There are chances your data may be lost or damaged. Data collection tools overcome this challenge by eliminating paper from the complete process.
The data collection software allows you to collect data directly on your device, generate reports, and analyse results without paperwork. GoSurvey does the same for you. From collecting data to generating results, there’s only one medium to do it and that’s your device. No more handling bundles of paper, just carry your device along. Also, there are no upfront costs for printing papers.
5. Instant analysis and reports
Survey results matter to you the most when it comes to decision-making. With traditional analysis methods, you cannot get the desired reports on the set timeframe which can delay other business processes. When using tools for data collection, analytics and reports are a matter of a few seconds, no matter how massive your data is.
GoSurvey is your go-to offline data collection tool that never lets you wait to generate analytical reports. Just after your collected data gets synced to the cloud server, you can see the analytics for your data right on your GoSurvey dashboard. Select your preferred format to view the results of your survey and check how each respondent attempted the survey.
6. Easy accessibility to meaningful data
Reaching intended respondents or data is much easier with online and offline tools for data collection. Doesn’t matter whether you want to collect field data in a no-internet zone or through online mediums, these tools give you the ability to reach your data easily and conveniently.
No matter where you are, you can collect data from anywhere with online forms that you can share across any channel. Pick the most appropriate medium to connect with your customers and send them your survey link. It’s that simple.
GoSurvey has been the #1 choice for businesses worldwide for their data collection needs, all this because it gives the freedom to collect data anywhere, reach the remotest of locations without any issues as it works both offline and online.
7. Ability to collect diverse data types
Collecting textual data is not something that interests your customers every time. You may end up with unattempted surveys or answers that couldn’t help you reach the desired outcomes. Data collection tools allow you to choose from a variety of data types rather than just text. You can even create an interactive surveying experience for your customers while ensuring diverse information on their part.
With GoSurvey, you can track the surveyor's location with Map coordinates (GPS), capture photos, videos, audios, and signatures, choose from 35+ question types, and much more. Try it to believe it.
How to Collect Data Accurately?
Making a tool work for you is the easiest way to get work done in a smarter way. You save more time, stay more focused on the work and grow better. Here’s why opting for a data collection tool is a good choice.
Identify
Identify your purpose of collecting data and deciding which topics you will cover and the end result.
Set
Set a timeline for your short-term and long-term data collection goals to ensure a proper schedule.
Select
Select the right data collection method based on the type of data and timeframe of the complete process.
Collect
Collect data using the ideal tools for collecting data and following your data collection schedule.
Analyse
Analyse your data with the help of the same tool and get measurable results.
Implement
Implement the findings to achieve your end goal and improve your business strategy.
Why is GoSurvey the Best Data Collection Software?
Offline Survey
GoSurvey works truly offline. Data can be seamlessly collected even in the absence of an internet connection. The Data is stored in the app itself and gets automatically synced to the account whenever internet is available.
Multilingual Support
Surveys can be configured in any language. There are various languages spoken around the world and we make sure language is never a barrier.
Unlimited Response Collection
There’s no limit on the number of responses a user or surveyor can collect while surveying. This makes the survey experience even better
User Management
Create and manage users by providing them specific roles and different levels of access for different survey projects.
Conditional Display
Set conditions to current questions depending on the answer given to a previous question.
Answer Piping
This feature is used to pipe or insert the option chosen in a previous question to another question on the next page.
Download Results
Results can be easily downloaded in various formats like Excel, Excel with Media, CSV, SPSS(.sav), PDF.
Over 35 Question Types
Create survey by using more than 35 different question types which are designed for various use cases. Getting started is easy and fast.
Option Forwarding
Forward the selected options to the next question. This will help the respondent to view only those set of options which they selected in the previous question.
Offline Survey
GoSurvey works truly offline. Data can be seamlessly collected even in the absence of an internet connection. The Data is stored in the app itself and gets automatically synced to the account whenever internet is available.
Multilingual Support
Surveys can be configured in any language. There are various languages spoken around the world and we make sure language is never a barrier.
Unlimited Response Collection
There’s no limit on the number of responses a user or surveyor can collect while surveying. This makes the survey experience even better
Explore Sample Question Templates
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