Collect Data

7. Collect Data

Collecting information is an important part of the process of continual proving and improving. This can be done by asking people to report on something that’s happened to them, by observing that change has happened, or by using some sort of tool to measure the presence or absence of a change.

Ways to collect information include:

•	Surveys/questionnaires (post, email, telephone, face-to-face) either created within your organisation or adapted from Diagnostic tests or pre-made scales 1
•	Interviews – structured or unstructured – either administered by telephone or faceto-face.
•	Focus groups.
•	Observation (participant observation, outside/structured usually helps).
•	People’s expressions (diaries, journals, portfolios).
•	Case studies.

Case Study - The Surf Centre’s Data
Ways of collecting information

1 For an example of a pre-made scale see well-being questionnaire

	The Ten Elements:

	1. Your motivation
	2. Your vision
	3. Stakeholders
	4. Impact Map
	5. Your indicators
	6. Make a plan
	7. Collect data
	8. Analyse information
	9. Share information
	10. Learning & Action

	Case study: The Surf Centre