If I limit the answrt to psychology, there are three different approaches of research: researchers can observe behavior (individual aspects of behavior, including language) and evaluate the observations - either qualitatively or quantitatively. Also I mention special methods like "polarity profile" or "sociogram", which has also a connection to the subjective world of the person: Because, therei exists secondly, the "inner world" of self-experience and experience of persons. This "subjective" knowledge (incl. feeling, interest, preferences, desires) can be recorded by self-reports, interviews, self-protocols over certain periods and time sections. Finally, thirdly, the performance of the test subjects can be determined, either through a test (intelligence, work performance, memory and much more); the range of performance also includes the aesthetic, artistic and sporting own performances of the test subjects; the performances also include those which represent a "work" as personal creations and continue to exist as designed material: For children, for example: building constructions and play-landscapes, drawings, figures made of clay, etc.

Upshot: There exists much more in social science than interview and questionaire.

There are lots of other methods / sources of data each with their own strengths and limitations. The methods reflect the nature of data and the question being examined. A few of the additional methods include behavioural observation / behavioural reporting (eg Applied Behavioural Analysis, participant observation); text / report based information (from sources such as newspaper reports; investigative reports; therapeutic letter writing) and reaction data (eg reaction time; response inhibition - generally collected using computer based tests designed specifically for the task). I hope this helps.

A good response from Jason - from a qualitative perspective. If I was first to respond then I would have stressed observational techniques. However, just because it is social sciences research - does not exclude quantitative approaches to data collection.

In social science, data collection depends upon the nature of study. the data is collected by questionnaire, survey questions, observations, interviews, talks, texts. literary compositions, speeches and different other kinds of discourse.

If I limit the answrt to psychology, there are three different approaches of research: researchers can observe behavior (individual aspects of behavior, including language) and evaluate the observations - either qualitatively or quantitatively. Also I mention special methods like "polarity profile" or "sociogram", which has also a connection to the subjective world of the person: Because, therei exists secondly, the "inner world" of self-experience and experience of persons. This "subjective" knowledge (incl. feeling, interest, preferences, desires) can be recorded by self-reports, interviews, self-protocols over certain periods and time sections. Finally, thirdly, the performance of the test subjects can be determined, either through a test (intelligence, work performance, memory and much more); the range of performance also includes the aesthetic, artistic and sporting own performances of the test subjects; the performances also include those which represent a "work" as personal creations and continue to exist as designed material: For children, for example: building constructions and play-landscapes, drawings, figures made of clay, etc.

Upshot: There exists much more in social science than interview and questionaire.

There are a number of different survey techniques that can be use to collect primary data, such as interviews (e.g., face-to-face, telephone, e-mail, fax) or self-administered questionnaires.