How to Boost Field Data Accuracy to Make Better Decisions
Eunice Buag
Client Relationship Manager at Fraud.net| Building strong partnerships to combat fraud
Would you agree that technology has come to our rescue many times and made our lives easier?
And if there is one area that can yell a loud "YES!" To that question would be field data collection.
Now, data field managers have a walk in the park compared to those in the past who carried uncountable paper files to record their data.
Data field managers do this now by using many available online platforms or physically.
But whichever style a company chooses, field managers' data must be accurate since it should reflect the experience on the ground.
Since technology has made data transmission from field technicians to management easier, most companies have optimised data collection for their products and services.
What does this mean?
Field data reliability is critical for any company since it counts while making crucial decisions.
Therefore, field technicians or online surveys must be accurate while collecting the data.
Why is Accuracy Important when Collecting Data in the Field?
First, it is important to understand what is the exact meaning of the following terms;
Having defined the above terms, I guarantee you will enjoy this content.
So, does field data accuracy matter?
Yes, it does.
Any erroneous predictions made as a result of inaccurate data are costly.
If the expected outcomes are incorrect, time, money, and resources are wasted. Accurate information boosts decision-making confidence.
Therefore, precise field data improves marketing, production, and efficiency and helps cut survey costs.
We emphasize the correct use of all data-gathering techniques.
Consider the following two significant points when focusing on correcting accurate field data.
Which company wouldn't like to maximize its field data collection?
The answer is none.
When a company sets foot out in the field, the focus is to get as much data as possible. It means sending out as many field technicians as needed to cover the targeted area.
Although this eventually helps the company in its data collection mission, the cost is enormous.
The company shoulders the massive cost of hiring data field technicians.
Some training may be necessary to familiarize them with the company's needs. Putting all these factors into consideration, many companies have preferred digital mediums.
Labour-Intensive
It is cumbersome if surveyors need to pick up data collection materials from the office.
Manually returning results lengthens the procedure.
Both money and time are wasted. The time factor for submission causes a long-term delay in the data analysis process.
The other risks that can be weighed include the correctness of the data collected.
Will the data validation process end well and accurately if the surveyor makes an error?
Your guess is as correct as mine. No.
Repeating the data collection process will be necessary, which will take more time. Eventually, the company has to dig deeper into its pocket.
Many companies have looked for alternative data collection methods, some of which are automated, that ensure accurate field data. Sending automated emails to a targeted group of consumers has maximized data collection from the audience.
So what is the magic behind ensuring data accuracy?
Read on to find out!
Field Data Accuracy Improvement Techniques
Erroneous data may lead to poor business decisions that raise unnecessary operating costs, so it is essential to increase data entry accuracy.
Data input errors can influence how you make business decisions. To ensure accuracy, you must focus on data quality. These recommendations can help you increase the collected data's accuracy.
Automatic generation lessens the effects of the issues mentioned above, and in some instances, it eliminates them all.
Surveyors, too, need to be keen and avoid errors at all costs, despite automation.
Let's dive into the techniques that ensure field data accuracy is improved.
Employee Training
Skilled employees save the company's resources and time.
This is because they have exposure to what is required of them by the company.
Training teaches surveyors how to handle respondents and allows them to focus on the best responses.
This eventually yields the most accurate field data that there is.
Use of Ethnic Languages
Research shows that only 17% of people use the English language, indicating the importance of using multiple languages while collecting field data.
Doing so will promote the responders' accuracy since they will understand the questions better.
In short, include the option of choosing the language in your survey. In this case, the collected data has a high level of accuracy.
Incorporate Data Validations
Could you be confused about the exact meaning of data validation?
To make it easier for you, it means checking the integrity, accuracy, and structure of data before it is used for a business function.
Does this factor contribute to field data accuracy?
Yes, in a colossal way.
Let's use different, familiar examples that you can relate to.
The US valid phone number is 11 digits, made up of a 7-digit phone number, a 3-digit area code, and a 1-digit country code.
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There is an automated validation that detects errors in this.
In the same way, an email domain and prefix, both in proper formats, make up a legitimate email address.
If you mess up the format of a phone number by adding an extra digit or an email in the wrong format, it gives you a system error, prompting you to revise it.
Incorporating such data validation techniques in your survey is essential because it will yield correct data with high levels of accuracy.
Using Questions That Are Required
We have all come across surveys with mandatory questions we must answer.
In the same survey, there were optional questions too.
While making your survey questions, mixing both types of questions is essential.
Mandatory questions indicate the most crucial details that your responders can't ignore.
That is the data you are looking for, which will play a significant role in your company's decision.
For example, if knowing the brand that most impresses your customers is a requirement, make this question a required one to answer.
Their ranking could be from 1 to 5, where one indicates their best brand and five stands for the least preferred.
This provides accurate field data on the brand in question.
Limitations for Numeric Responses
For your information, limiting numeric responses is equally important.
To prevent erroneous data, set a minimum or maximum for entries that contain numbers.
For instance, you might wish to poll homemakers to learn more about their grocery and necessity shopping habits.
You need to know the respondents' ages, yet a simple error can turn a 34-year-old into a 343-year-old.
This field should have a minimum and maximum value added to capture the correct age. By so doing, the data collected will be accurate and usable.
Include multiple-choice tests
Survey participants may find it quick and simple to respond to multiple-choice questions.
I am very sure this is something you will undoubtedly love. Respondents won't have to consider their alternatives for very long.
This is because they are presented in plain language and believe they are rational and relevant.
Use only multiple-choice questions when you are sure of the goal you want to achieve. Use reasoning when choosing between all of the above and none of the above.
Site Tagging
While conducting surveys offline, it's possible to use the site tagging feature.
It allows the company to track the surveyors' whereabouts in real-time.
The site-tagging feature makes it possible to know if the collected data was from the target regions.
This feature helps in rural areas where there is no internet connection. Data accuracy is ensured by tagging the right sites.
Adding Images to the Responses
Are you wondering how to increase your field data accuracy?
Some surveyors are lazy about seeking respondents.
Guess what they do?
They request one respondent to answer several surveys, thus compromising the accuracy of the data.
It's wise to add the respondents' images. This will increase the collected data's accuracy and avoid duplication of data.
Submitting Signatures
Submitting signatures will increase the data's accuracy via verification.
This is another way of avoiding duplication. Signatures will act as consent for using the data from respondents for your survey.
Examine your survey
Imagine if you made a meal and then served it out without tasting if the ingredients were right.
That would be a huge mistake!
Since you want to put your best foot forward, it's good to do an in-house survey test and see if the results are worth the analysis.
The responses you receive from the audience shouldn't be a surprise to you.
By doing this, you may decrease the expense of field data inaccuracies.
You will also increase the accuracy of your field data.
MightyFields assists a lot in creating the ideal offline survey for gathering field data. It does so while keeping the factors mentioned earlier in mind, among many others.
Aiding Institutions in Maintaining Field Data Quality Standards
You may be wondering which institutions we are referring to.
Ask no more!
Government agencies, academic institutions, and global corporations are the ones that use our flagship software and data quality services.
Why do they use it?
They use it to address data quality concerns and advance data quality programs.
Comland is a pioneer in data certainty.
It earns its reputation by ensuring that the client data is reliable, current, and always backed by a solid strategy.
How do we do it?
Do we replace your existing team? No, we don’t.
We will collaborate with your team in the areas of data governance and digital transformation and offer consulting assistance.
This will ensure that the right individuals are in charge of the right initiatives. Implementation partners and experts will advise on how to raise the quality of your data, spot system irregularities, and much more.
For a free consultation to learn more about how Comland works, get in touch with us immediately or comment below to get instant help on ensuring your field data accuracy!