Data Collection Tools and Methods under Clinical Studies

Abstract

To generate quality evidence regarding informed decisions for clinical/ public health practice, quality data collection is an integral part of every clinical study, regardless of the involved research questions, hypotheses and objectives. As such, data collection is the systematic, purposeful process of information gathering, measuring, and analyzing accurate, targeted information from various sources to answer research questions, test hypothesized hypotheses, and support decision-making. The process of data collection might broadly consist of two components: tools of data collection (e.g., questionnaires) and methods of data collection (e.g., surveys, interviews, observations, focus group discussions, and others). The present write-up briefly describes them and their related aspects to make the readers aware of them while planning any clinical study.