2.2 When and why should you collect data?


The data management cycle describes all the specific steps required for effective information management. As such, the data management cycle outlines the different processes required to produce and use data, thereby facilitating effective evidence-based decision-making in humanitarian and development activities. Data collection in itself is therefore the third step after the definition of the needs and the planning of the data collection.
Refer to Data Analysis toolkit for methodological support on why you should be collecting data and selecting the right data collection methods.