Erhebungsweg

Erhebungsweg is a term used in empirical research and statistics to denote the method or path by which data are collected. It describes how information is gathered from respondents, documents, or natural settings. The Erhebungsweg encompasses the choice of data collection modality and the practical procedures used during data collection, such as interview format, questionnaire mode, observation protocol, or experimental manipulation, as well as the steps of contact, recruitment, and instrument administration.

Common forms in surveys include personal interviews, telephone interviews, online questionnaires, mail surveys, structured observations, and content or document analysis. The Erhebungsweg is closely linked to the sampling design and the fieldwork plan and affects coverage, response rates, measurement error, and potential biases such as nonresponse or social desirability bias. Therefore it is planned with pilot tests, interviewer training, standardization of questionnaires, and quality control measures.

In legal and ethical terms, the Erhebungsweg must comply with data protection, consent, and confidentiality requirements. It should be documented in study protocols to enable replication and comparability. In practice, researchers may combine several Erhebungswege within a study (mixed-mode design) to balance reach and data quality while considering mode effects.

Terminology notes: In German statistical and social-science usage, Erhebungsweg is sometimes used synonymously with Erhebungsmethode or Datenerhebungsverfahren, although some authors distinguish between the overall methodology and the specific instrument or mode used.