Data collection is the process of gathering information so you can use it to learn something, make decisions, or solve problems. The goal of data collection is to gather accurate and relevant information that can be used for analysis, decision-making, or improvement.
It can be done in many ways: surveys or interviews; observing and recording behaviors; sensors, like weather monitors or traffic cameras.
In short, data collection is just about gathering the facts you need to answer a question or achieve a goal.