data and information facts and figures whereas information is most parts of data but it’s actually
useful. An example of data could be a list of numbers, this is not useful
without any relevant information as we dont know what these numbers
mean. An example of information could be Minutes or seconds next to the
numbers which would be useful information as it’s telling indiviual time.
Effectively Collecting Information
Businesses can collect information physcially through different methods
Physically There are many ways companies can collect information in a physical format
such as surveys, questionnaires and lists. For example a person could go
around observing how many people use a certain service or object and write
the results down in a survey. Physical Information is a good because it’s hard
evidence for a researcher of a business and allows the company to physical
information as it can also be photocopied and backed up in cabinets so you
have multiple copies of the physical information.
Matlin Insurance can use surveys to get information as long as they collect it
effectively such as not wasting too much time on 1 method of collecting
information. For example Matlin Insurance could do a questionnaire near a
holiday resort because most people would travel to the resort via cars. So
they could get some of their employees to stand outside the resort and
collect information physically.
The business can also collect physical information by doing lists and noting
down customer information such as names, addresses and phone numbers
and again they can be stored in a physical manner.
Paper forms Paper forms are a good way to collect information in a paper format as it
allows companies to scan and backup the information quickly. Plus when
collecting paper based information more people might be willing to answer
and complete it because you are physically asking them.
Matlin Insurance can do paper surverys on there customers or the public.
The best thing about paper forms is Matin Insurance can post them to there
customers address through the mail, they could also hand of the surveys
through groups or have them at the front of supermarkets so people can
collect one and fill them out.
A simillar method can be applied to questonaires however its better is a
employee asks the questons so they can get a report that is not biased or
false information. Of course the paper information can then be stored in
cabinets and also scanned into computers.
Electronically Businesses can also collect information electronically such as through
websites which is a faster method of collecting information, for example
companies can access other company’s databases and use the information
for their advantage. This is electronic information as you are collecting it via
computers and also storing it in computer systems.
Matlin Insurance could have a barrier system in their workplace. This way
the system would feedback information electronically to the people who
monitor the company so they can find out stuff like who was late and by
how much time.