Which approach can help address limitations in data collection?

The approach of explaining what you want to achieve with the data is crucial for addressing limitations in data collection. This method promotes clarity and purpose, allowing stakeholders to understand the context and objectives of the data gathering process. When the objectives are clearly articulated, it becomes easier to identify the right data sources and collection methods, as well as to design surveys or data-gathering tools that effectively capture the needed information.

By communicating specific goals, it encourages collaboration among team members and stakeholders, ensuring that everyone is aligned and focused on obtaining useful and relevant data. Additionally, this approach can help identify any gaps or limitations in existing data and stimulate discussions about how to fill those gaps or improve collection strategies.

In contrast, simply telling people the data you want can lead to misunderstandings or misinterpretations if they do not understand the broader context. Focusing only on numerical data might ignore qualitative insights, which can provide valuable understanding. Advising users to avoid using any data at all would hinder decision-making processes and is counterproductive. Thus, articulating goals is the most effective way to enhance data collection efforts.