Service

Data Collection

Planning Global Research? Start with the Right Data Collection Team

In today’s digital economy, information is more than just power – it’s progress. Across the globe, from rural clinics to major corporations, accurate data collection is essential to make informed, impactful decisions.

But how do we collect this data? What tools should we use? And what happens if we collect the wrong data?

Throughout this blog, we’ll explore everything about data collection across the world. That covers the latest methods, tools, and techniques. Whether you’re a company, a research agency, or a non-profit, this will help you a lot to get the right information and help grow the impact of your business.

What Is Data Collection?

Data-collection is the process of gathering information. The process is just to analyze and use it for decisions, reports, planning, or service improvements. This may be online or offline using tools like formssurveys, devices, or sensors.

This data can be collected:

  • Online using surveys, web forms, mobile apps, and smart devices
  • Offline using paper forms, in-person interviews, or field visits

You will find the answer the questions like these: 

  • What do customers want?
  • What is causing the problem?
  • How can we improve?

Both the public and private sectors now depend heavily on data collection. These data-collections improve services in various important sectors like education, health, agriculture, development, and e-commerce.

Why Data Collection Matters?

While many platforms offer data services, collecting the right data ensures results that matter:

Track progress, find problems early, make informed decisions, understand community needs, improve communication, predict future trends & behaviors

Without exact data collection, your project, business, or service may fail to meet the needs of real people. We also offer tailored data-collection services for Bangladesh’s unique challenges.

Different Types of Data Collection Services

You will get different types of data collection processes. But first, you have to decide what types of data you need.

1. Quantitative Data

Quantitative data is all about collecting and using facts. You can count how many people bought a product or how long students study. Internationally, for businesses, schools, and researchers, understanding quantitative data helps track progress. You can also track spot problems and plan better for the future. 

  • Exam scores
  • Household income
  • Product purchase frequency

This is data in numbers, like age, income, scores, or prices. It is easy to measure and compare.

2. Qualitative Data

This data helps us understand others’ thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Unlike numbers, it tells the story behind it. You can make better decisions for businesses, schools, NGOs, or health projects worldwide. 

Examples:

  • Interview responses
  • Feedback forms
  • Focus group discussions

Global eTranslation explains how to collect, use, and understand qualitative data to improve your services.

3. Primary Data

Primary data is a kind of data that is collected from the people or sources directly. The process is fresh, accurate, and trusted for any research, business, and decision-making. At Global eTranslation, we help you collect and use primary data effectively. 

Methods: Surveys, field interviews, observations

Use: NGOs collecting rural health records, researchers conducting polls

Collected directly from people or sensors, like through interviews, surveys, or field visits.

4. Secondary Data

Secondary data is a kind of information that is collected already by someone. There is a great benefit as it saves time, cost, and effort in planning. Businesses, students, and researchers globally use secondary data from booksreports, websites, and surveys to make smart decisions. 

Sources: Books, government reports, websites

Use: Students, planners, journalists, or businesses use it to save time and resources.

Already collected by someone else, like from reports, websites, or books.

5. Online Data

Online data refers to information shared, stored, or collected using digital platforms. It helps research companies, schools, and governments make smart choices. You can find information like surveys, online data about people’s likes, dislikes, and needs. At Global eTranslation, we help you collect, understand, and use online data to grow your business.

Examples: Online polls, Google Forms, app usage data

Use: Urban e-commerce brands gather buyer preferences. Institutions run digital feedback.

Data gathered using digital tools or internet-based forms.

6. Offline Data

Online data refers to information collected through the internet using forms, surveys, or digital apps. Here, NGOs, businesses, and schools collect the necessary information. And it is a good sign that the collected data is more authentic and accurate. At Global eTranslation, we offer smart offline data solutions.

Examples: Paper surveys, mobile data collected offline

Use: Rural projects, schools, health camps

Information collected without the internet, through paper forms or offline mobile apps.

7. Energy Data-Collection Services

Our energy data collection services researchers help collect accurate insights. If you are in Bangladesh or a global audience, we ensure timely, field-proven data to sustain your studies or policy decisions.

8. Data-Collection Sample Size Calculation Services

Our energy data-collection services researchers help collect accurate insights. If you are in Bangladesh or a global audience, we ensure timely, field-proven data to sustain your studies or policy decisions.

9. Data-Collection Field Services

We provide real-time data to our customers, including in-person surveys, sensor-based tracking, and remote fieldwork. We collect data with the help of our trained professionals under strict quality controls.

10. Global Data Collection Company

As a leading data-collection company, we specialize in multilingual and multicultural data. With a strong network in Bangladesh and beyond, we deliver real-time data for global brands and research institutes worldwide.

Popular Data-Collection Methods

Here are some common data-collection methods used across Bangladesh and globally:

Method

Best For

Surveys

Customer feedback, research projects

Interviews

Deep insights from experts or users

Focus Groups

Group discussions for qualitative data

Observation

Watching behavior or actions live

Forms (Online/Offline)

Day-to-day data entry, signups

IoT Devices

Collecting smart sensor data

Biometric Devices

Fingerprint or face scan data

Social Media Listening

Audience opinions, trends

However, there is a limitation to every process. But you have to choose the right one according to your goal, budget, and target group.

Best Data Collection Tools in 2025

Collecting the right data-collection tools makes your task easier, faster, and accurate. Tools popular worldwide:

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Easy and free for surveys
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Great for larger studies
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Used in agriculture, factories, and smart cities
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Perfect for offline data collection in rural areas
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For NGOs and development programs
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Used in hospitals, banks, and voting booths

Internet of Things (IoT) Data Collection

The Internet of Things (IoT) is now becoming popular day by day, collecting data globally. The IoT devices collect data automatically, without human input.

Examples of IoT in action:

  • Soil sensors for smart farming
  • GPS devices for tracking transport routes
  • Heart monitors in hospitals
  • Water meters in factories

 

IoT allows real-time data collection, reducing errors and increasing accuracy, helping reduce waste, improve safety, and boost efficiency.

Offline Data-Collection – Still Important in Rural Bangladesh

In rural Bangladesh, it is still seen that they do not have access to the internet, let alone Wi-Fi. So, here, collecting data offline is still important. Especially for: 

  • Health surveys
  • NGO fieldwork
  • School or government audits
  • Rural product research

Tools like KoboToolbox or ODK let you collect data without the internet and sync it later.

Biometric Data-Collection – Security & Identity

Biometric data-collection is a process where body features identify people. This includes:

  • Fingerprints
  • Eye scans
  • Facial recognition

Biometric data is used in:

  • NID registration
  • Bank accounts
  • Hospital patient IDs
  • SIM card purchases

This ensures security and prevents fraud.

Step-by-Step Guide to a Successful Data-Collection Project

Willing to run your own data collection project? Follow these easy steps:

Step 1: Define Your Goal

Before starting any data-collection, it’s important to clearly define your objective. Know how to choose the right method, ask better, and get better results. 

Know what you want to find out.

Step 2: Choose Your Method

Do you have to know which way you can conduct the surveys? Interviews? IoT?

Step 3: Pick the Right Tools

Choosing the tools is important to gather data through offline or online methods. Paper or app?

Step 4: Train Your Team

Train field agents using role-play sessions before launching surveys. Train your team members on how to make surveys and what to do.

Step 5: Collect the Data

Follow your plan carefully to implement your goal and targeted data.

Step 6: Check and Clean the Data

You have to avoid repeated missing or wrong entries.

Step 7: Analyze and Report

Collect your data to make smart choices for greater and accurate results.

Data-Collection for Different Sectors 

Sector

Use of Data Collection

Education

Track student progress, plan new programs

Health

Monitor diseases, improve patient care

Agriculture

Improve crop planning and weather tracking

E-commerce

Understand customers, improve services

Government

Census, voter ID, public services

NGOs

Program monitoring, impact assessment

Finance

Risk checks, identity verification

Data Collection Mistakes to Avoid

Even with the best tools, mistakes can happen. Avoid these:

  • Asking the wrong questions
  • Collecting too much or too little data
  • Skipping pilot tests or tool trials
  • Ignoring privacy and consent
  • Skipping data backup

Remember: Good data ensures better results.

Legal & Ethical Considerations

In modern times, be careful while collecting data. Always:

  • Get permission from users
  • Explain how the data will be used
  • Keep personal data private
  • Store data securely

This builds trust and protects everyone’s rights.

Real Success Stories 

  1. NGO Health Project in Rural Areas: Diverse NGOs collect data offline to gather health records in rural or remote areas, saving time and reducing paperwork. 
  2. E-commerce Startup in Big Cities: Collect data from Google Forms to better understand and improve the services by 35% which orders are cancelled.
  3. Smart Farming in Remote Areas: IoT sensors collected data on soil moisture. Farmers used this to water crops only when needed, cutting costs.
Need Expert Help With Data Collection Services?

Global eTranslation is your trusted partner for data-collection services across the world. From small surveys to large-scale research, we help you:

  • Design custom survey forms
  • Translate and localize in Bangla or tribal languages
  • Collect data online or offline
  • Train your staff and field agents
  • Analyze and visualize findings

Email: info@globaletranslation.com
WhatsApp: +8801740449020

Let us help you collect the right data, the right way.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Popular forms of collecting data are online in urban areas and offline in rural areas. It depends on your goal.

Yes! Mobile apps like ODK, Kobo, and Google Forms are mostly used in deprived areas.

Yes, but it relies on how securely the data is collected. 

Google Forms or KoboToolbox is designed for basic projects.

Absolutely! We offer data collection planning, translation, localization, and fieldwork support in multiple languages.