Together with my teammates, Kate and Kaye, I went on a journey to the Barangay Hall of Baybayin without knowing the exact location of the place. The three of us came from different towns and we had no idea about the location of the barangays in Los Baños. What we did was search it on Google Maps and we also asked security guards and jeepney drivers on where could we find Brgy. Baybayin.
Upon arriving there, we were warmly welcomed by the officials there headed by Kgwd. Romeo V. Oro, their contact person. He willingly answered our questions and showed us the different documents that we may use in our data gathering.
From this data gathering experience, I have listed three #Tips for effective data gathering.
#KnowWhatToAsk. It is important to know first what are the information that you will need. Through this, it will be easier to ask questions and ask for documents if applicable. This will also help you to avoid just staring blankly when the interviewee asks you on what you need from their office.
#AlwaysKeepNotes. Note-taking is also one of the essential qualities of a media writer. Some of the things that the interviewee is saying may not be found on the documents that they will give. If permitted, it is advised to have an audio recorder to clarify some points in the interview that you have missed. Also take note of the information that can be found on their bulletin boards because they may also be helpful.
#BeFlexible. This means that you should learn how to adapt to the situation. Some of the answers may be vague and so you must clarify these points or rephrase the question if necessary. Follow-up questions are also important to gather all the necessary information.
These are just three of the many tips that is in store for development communicators-in-training. But, most importantly, we should always be polite and respectful in asking questions.
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