Behavioral data tracking has greatly increased in the past few years. As per a report from Krux, the technology has seen a 400% increase since November 2010 with new firms entering the market with amazing regularity.

This technique allows advertisers to provide better targeted advertisements to visitors. This situation is win-win for both publishers and advertisers as publishers get to demand more money for the exposure and advertisers get to reach the right eyeballs. The future of this technology looks bright with social media giants like Facebook also utilizing users’ browsing history to target ads.

Data is mainly collected through users’ browser. This is generally known as cookie data. It may be collected by the website you are on and even third party advertisers that are linked with the website. The data collected gives deep information about a user including income, educational level, age, likes and dislikes and possible future plans. Information gathered is used to create user profiles and is often sent or sold to clients in real time.

Many activists are against websites having access to such information as it is considered an intrusion of one’s privacy by many. However, on their part, websites have a privacy policy and terms and services that visitors have to abide by. When Google updated its privacy policy and introduced such plans it received a backlash from every corner.

Many companies are willing to pay huge amount for such data because it has been proven to be reliable. As per a study by IDC, the industry has gone from 0 to 500 billion dollars in a short period of five years. Advertisers are no more interested in orthodox methods of advertising where the returns are not that high. They are looking for better options that they see in online marketing for which behavioral data collection is very important.

There is no doubt that this technology is here to stay and will only grow further in the next few years. However, the real question here is if users should be concerned about this change. Unfortunately, there can be no concrete answer to this question.

Many industries have been involved in behavioral data collection for a long time. However, the recent surge seen has given rise to new controversies. The best practice is to be aware of the kind of information or data that is being extracted out. Some websites even give users the choice to block collection of data if they are not comfortable with it.

Users can get such information simply by reading a website’s privacy policy that generally highlights the kind of data they extract and the purpose it is used for. Many experts also argue that it is nothing to be worried about because they do not always know ‘who you are’ and most targeting is done anonymously.

Since the technology is helping almost everyone involved, there is nothing to worry about until it starts causing serious damage.

Terms of service, also commonly known as terms of use and also often abbreviated as ToS, are rules regarding the use of a certain service, including websites. Almost every website has a page dedicated to ToS which highlights the guidelines and policies governing its use.

However, the sad part is that a lot of people often do not pay attention to ToS. Most websites, such as Google and Yahoo have a long list of terms and conditions that people often end up accepting without even sparing a proper glance to the clauses mentioned in them.

This is a common practice everywhere, mainly due to the fact that people consider going through a huge list of policies a waste of time. Nevertheless, this behavior can be really dangerous as the failure to properly read the ToS can cause big problems.

When you join a website or hire the services of a company, a contract is said to have been signed between the two of you. When you sign or accept their policies, it is assumed that you have gone through them and are required by law to follow them in all regards.

In most cases, when people fail to properly read the ToS, they run the risk of getting into trouble due to their neglect. Take as example an ecommerce website that allows sellers and buyers to easily buy and sell their used products on one platform. When a buyer or a seller joins such a website, the website will generally require them, to approve its ToS in order to be a member.

Say the user neglects the points in the ToS and approves it, not knowing what exactly is in the contract. The seller gets in touch with a buyer and sells a product for $50 thinking he would make a profit of $5 on it. The seller is happy because he knows that he has sold the product while sitting at home and the money he will receive is guaranteed.

However, he receives only $45 in his account instead of the assumed amount of $50. This is when the trouble begins. Such problems are pretty common and a great number of people have to deal with them on a regular basis, only due to their willful neglect.

Say the seller failed to read the policy that highlights the fact that the company will charge 10% of the selling price as commission. Hence, the seller only received $45 after the deduction. This may cause a loss to the seller because the profit he expected on the sale has been lost.

This example clearly highlights how ignorance can cause big trouble. If the seller had gone through the ToS, clearly he or she could’ve charged a little higher to make some profit. In the same way, there can be other kinds of losses as well. Many users lose their accounts on websites due to the failure of abiding by the ToS, which they do not even go through.

In order to be on the safe side, it is important that you read the ToS, or at least glance over them briefly, before giving your approval. You cannot really comply with the policies until you know them.

Without much ado, let us present you with tips on sharing data on social networking sites like Orkut, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and others.

Understand the Policies

The first step is to understand the social networking platforms’ terms and conditions regarding sharing data online. Almost all social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter have strong policies governing the sharing of various types of data, including images and videos.

It is important to go through this information and to follow it, in order to be on the safe side. More often than not, people accept the ToS without actually going through the details, not realizing the risks they may be exposed to. The best practice is to clearly understand the policies and follow them as closely as possible.

These policies are prepared keeping in mind the users’ best interests. Some may find them unjustified and worthless; however, in most cases they have proven to be beneficial.

Use Privacy Protection

Almost all social networking sites have privacy protection tools that the users need to be aware of. Facebook, for example, has extensive information on user privacy. The social networking site allows users to decide how the information is shared.

The website allows users to choose who can view and comment on status.es, images and videos. Additionally, the tagging option found on Facebook should also be paid attention to as a tag may make your image or status open for the general public to see.

Quite often, websites change their privacy settings that are updated by default. It is important to be in touch with the happenings and make changes accordingly. In addition to Facebook, other social networking sites such as Orkut and Twitter also have their own privacy tools. For example: You can select who can view your scrapbook on Orkut from the privacy settings option.

Know What and How You Are Sharing

It is very important to be clear about these two points. As mentioned above, quite often, our images and videos become public without us knowing about it. For example: All the images on the Facebook cover photos are public. This means that anyone can view and download these images in high quality. Facebook currently does not offer privacy in this regard.

To be on the safe side, you should not upload personal images as cover pictures. If you wish to share such images, you can make a new album and use customized privacy settings in it. In the same way, Twitter also offers privacy regarding who may be able to follow you and get access to your updates.

It is very important to be aware of who can see your information. Most social networking sites offer customized options in this regard that allow users to control their data in a better way.

These are some of the most important tips about the use of social networking sites. In case your files are extremely personal and may cause some sort of damage, it is suggested that you do not share such information via open platforms. You may use e-mails or personal messaging service for such matters so that the risk of the information reaching the wrong hands is minimized.

There are various online tools available that help organizations and individuals collect behavioral data without really having to put in any effort. One of the most useful tools is analytical tools that give information about a user’s behavior in relation to a certain website.

There are many companies, such as Google, producing analytical tools. The main purpose of the analytical tool is the same; however, features and reliability may differ. Some of these tools are available for free while for some one has to subscribe in order to enjoy all the benefits.

The result is presented in different formats including percentages, graphs and numbers. By analyzing the result developed, people can draw a conclusion as to how a user looks at things so that strategies and planning can be done accordingly.

It is a customer driven market today. Companies wish to present things the way customers want them presented. However, in order to hit it right, they need to know what exactly the customers are interested in.

Take an example of an ecommerce website that offers several items on sale. How will it know what items customers are really interested in or from which area it receives maximum customers? Such information is very important for a company in order to grow its business.

It can use analytical tools. By using such tools it will be able to correctly gauge the behavior of those that visit its website. The company will get answers to several questions including:

-          How many people visit its website in a day?

-          Which item are they most interested in?

-          What types of products do people want and at what price?

-          How much time do they spend on the items?

Once the company has all such information it can easily revamp its page. Say it realizes that a huge percentage of its visitors are interested in buying ‘mugs’. In order to improve sales it can put more mugs on sale to give a boost to its revenue. In the same way, if it realizes that it receives maximum number of users from the New York area, it can change its policy to offer special discounts or services for customers in New York City.

Many companies are already using such tools. It is considered a best practice to use these tools. This may also be considered a part of risk management as this is an essential part of every business, especially if it revolves around the internet.

The results derived from such tools are also reliable because the users do not try to misrepresent information, which is a common problem in other techniques of behavioral data analysis. The fact that such information is updated regularly often with live (real-time) responses is an added advantage.

Nonetheless, there lie some best practices that need to be kept in mind during this time period as well. One of the rules is to know the limitations and not break boundaries. There are some international war rules and regulations that need to be followed. The failure to do so can result in major punishment for those involved.

People realized the need to have war crime rules due to the deaths and horrible incidents that resulted mainly from the two World Wars. Many countries have their own war crime rules that are prepared keeping their sentiments and culture in mind.

The law says that people bearing a flag of truce should not be killed or attacked. Using the same flag as a ruse of war is also prohibited. If any soldier kills any person in such a situation then the solider will be brought in the court of law.

Additionally, law also stops nations from mistreating prisoners. This problem was brought to notice several decades ago, mainly during World War II when countries used to brutally torture war prisoners by using horrendous techniques. Soldiers were kept hungry and often thirsty to an extent that many died out of hunger and thirst.

These problems made people realize the need to have laws about mistreatment of war prisoners. Under this law war prisoners would be treated properly keeping human rights in mind. Their property (other than guns, etc.) remains their property and they are considered prisoners of the state.

America recently received a lot of flak for its treatment of prisoners in Afghanistan and Guantanamo. This backlash forced former American President, Bush, to rescind the Geneva Convention requirements and announce new procedures regarding the treatment of war prisoners. Many organizations are still working hard towards improving the conditions that war prisoners live in.

In addition to these, the law also prohibits massacres, genocides and the killing of the innocent.  The law requires soldiers to look after the wounded and take care of them. Additionally, dead should be honorably interred according to the religion they belong to. The law also requires dead bodies to be returned to the other nation so that the last rituals may be performed.

In addition to these, several other acts are also considered war crimes such as pillage. Plus, soldiers and commanders are also required to follow the orders of their seniors, the failure of doing which may put them into trouble. Naval bombardments without warning, using heavy weapons that are not allowed and the failure to inform the right parties are also included.

It is important that everyone involved in a war obey all these rules and make sure that no one is being robbed of their due share unnecessarily.  War is not good, yet, by breaking laws we make it even worse.

Advantages

Directness

The strongest point of this technique is the fact that it offers direct contact to the subject. The researcher does not have to rely on self-report, such as questioning people about their behavior in a particular situation.

The researcher is not only dependant on answers but gets the opportunity to observe the phenomenon and record behavior or results accordingly. This way the problems associated with self-report are completely eradicated.

For example: in a questionnaire a respondent may not always give accurate answers. It has been proven that many people tend to twist their answers going with what they seem more favorable and not their true opinions. This problem, known as social desirability set, is one of the biggest drawbacks of the questionnaire technique.

This problem is not there in personal observation because the researcher holds a lot of control. He or she can twist questions accordingly and gauge the respondent’s behavior. Such personal observations are of great help in achieving results.

Flexibility, Applicability and Diversity

This technique offers a lot of flexibility and is applicable in a vast range of contexts. It can be tightly structured or may be completely informal. The ease of flexibility allows better applicability as it may be applied in various fields and give correct results.

Control

The researcher is in great control and can handle the conversation if it flows elsewhere. Additionally, there is an additional benefit of clearing confusing in case there is ambiguity.

Complementary with Other Options

Many people believe that triangulation (using multiple techniques at once) gives better results. This becomes a big strength of personal observation because this technique goes in perfect sync with other techniques and gives near perfect results.

Disadvantages

As mentioned above, no technique is without any disadvantages. Like any other method this one also has some disadvantages that are highlighted below.

Time Consuming

One of the biggest disadvantages of this practice is the fact that this is very time consuming, especially in comparison to other methods such as questionnaires. This is one of the reasons why people find this technique impractical. This is not feasible for researchers with limited resources in hand.

Observer Bias

This technique suffers the risk of observer bias, which results in an unreliable outcome. This is a condition in which the observer records what he or she wishes to record instead of what actually happens.

Observer Effect

Another disadvantage is the observer effect, which though is named after the observer, has more to do with the subject. This is due to the fact that often people tend to behave differently in the presence of an observer than they would otherwise. This problem results in not so accurate answers.

To enjoy main benefits one should try to minimize the disadvantages by minimizing risk and controlling other factors.

Some of the most common techniques used in quantitative data collection are explained below in detail.

Interviews

Quantitative research is structured and clearly planned. There is a standard that has to be followed so that the results achieved can be easily generalized.

Interviews are among the most commonly used techniques in quantitative research. There are various types of interviews including:

-   Face to Face Meetings

In this type of interview the researcher is in direct contact with the subject. This allows the researcher to clearly communicate questions because he or she can gauge the subject’s expressions and use words carefully.

-  Online Interviews

Thanks to technology, it is now possible to conduct online interviews. Many researchers use applications like Skype for online interviews. Video chatting does not only allow both parties to ask questions and answer them, but they also are very much like face-to-face meetings because both the parties are visible to see each other, given that they have webcams.

-  Telephone Interviews

Telephone interviews are highly used due to their advantages. This method is of great use especially when time is of essence.

Questionnaires

The methods of preparing questionnaires have changed over the years. However, many new researchers and writers have criticized the use of this technique for several reasons.

Firstly, one has to be very careful in preparing questionnaires. They should be prepared in a way that the respondents are interested in answering truthfully. This is one of the reasons that questioners are kept anonymous.

The second big problem is setting up the questions. They are to be written in a way that every respondent gets the same meaning out of it. If there is any kind of ambiguity or uncertainty then the main purpose of the research is lost because different people will comprehend the question differently hence the results derived will not be bankable.

Paper Pencil Questionnaire

This is a general form of a questionnaire where the responds are provided with a form or questionnaire that they are required to fill with the use of a pen or a pencil. Many consider this technique an orthodox method now; however, it is still being heavily used in different sectors.

Web Based Questionnaires

This is a quickly growing methodology. It is being used in various industries for different purposes. It is considered an easy and time saving job to prepare questionnaires on a computer and make them available on the internet. This way a great number of people can take part in a research.

These are some of the most commonly used methods. The best practice is to choose one carefully keeping in mind your sample and requirements.

To help you in your quest, given below are a few advantages and disadvantages of some of the most commonly used data collection techniques.

Personal Observation

Advantages:

1.  Gives accurate results because the researcher has direct access to the subject, which allows the researcher to be in direct contact with the person.

2.  There are less chances of the subject lying because of the pressure of the researcher sitting right in front of him or her.

Disadvantages:

1.  This method is very time consuming as it requires the researcher to donate his or her time and be in attendance in person.

2.  The researcher is often biased and more interested in getting the answers he or she seeks instead of the answers that the subject wishes to give.

Questionnaires

Advantages:

-    This method is among the most widely used methods because it does not require heavy inputs. Questionnaires can be prepared and distributed to a large number of audiences in a short span of time.

-    Since the identities are generally kept secret or the questionnaires are anonymous, people feel confident in giving true answers without the fear of their information reaching unsafe hands.

Disadvantages:

-    There is a high risk of ambiguity as if the questions are not properly prepared then different people may perceive them differently and the answers gathered may not be of much value.

-    Quite often than not, people are not interested in answering questionnaires because they find them boring. This is one of the reasons that a great percentage of questionnaires are never filled and sent back.

Interviews

Advantages:

-    The biggest advantage of interviews is the fact that they can be conducted anytime, anywhere. There is great ease in this method as there are many options through which an interview may be conducted including in person, telephonic and online.

-   Due to technology, interviews are quite like face to face conversations now. By using video chatting methods, both the parties get to see each other.

Disadvantages:

-    One of the disadvantages of interviews is that people are often found to lie. They tend to give answers that they find socially acceptable and not what they actually believe in.

-    Interviews often put a lot of pressure on the interviewee as they feel like they are being studied due to which they may get nervous and give incorrect answers.

The right technique depends on several things including the size and nature of your sample and also the topic of your research. The best practice is to select a mixture of all the techniques so that results are reliable.

Many people have often questioned its privacy policy and the dangers associated with using the network. To its credit, the social networking site has a set of rules and terms and conditions that a lot number of people pay no heed to.

Yet, there is need to have some best-practices in practice so that the negative effects of the SNS can be eliminated. Given below are some important tips that you can utilize.

Check All the Privacy Options

Many people think that the biggest problem with Facebook is the fact that it keeps on changing its privacy policy and other terms and conditions on a regular basis. On its part the SNS says that it takes such steps only to improve user experience. However, these changes often result in trouble for the users.

Hence, it is important for every user to keep a tab on all the privacy options. This can be done by accessing the privacy zone and taking a look at the settings. Make sure all your data and information is private with no chances of anyone intruding it.

Add People Carefully

Do not go on a barrage adding every Tom, Dick and Harry. Many people on Facebook enjoy having hundreds of friends. Socializing may be a good idea, but not until you know whom you are socializing with.

Refrain from sending friend requests to people you may not know. Additionally, do not accept every friend request you receive. In case you think you may know someone you can always send the person a Private Message (PM) to inquire about the same.

Be Careful About What You Are Sharing

It is alright to share videos, images and other such information on Facebook as long as you know who can access it. You should make sure you know who has access to the files you upload to stop strangers from accessing them.

Facebook gives privacy features where you can stop strangers and even people in your friend list from commenting on your files or even accessing them. Make sure you make good use of this important tool so that there is no risk of anyone causing any damage.

Don’t Click on Every Link

In recent times, one of the biggest problems that have been reported on Facebook is the availability of spam and links that contain viruses. Such links can infect your computer and cause serious damage to the data you have. To stay away from such trouble make sure you do not click on any link that looks suspicious to you. In case you come across any such links you can also report it to the Facebook management by using the Report button so that it can be taken care of.

These are some important tips that you should keep in mind. They will allow you to enjoy Facebook in the best way without worrying about anything.

To understand the system better, explained below are some main types of costs:

Fixed Costs

Fixed costs are the costs that are fixed and do not change with a change in production quantity. Some examples include; rent and manager’s salary. Understandably, rent would not increase if you increase production. However, it would increase if the production reaches a stage where you have to rent more space to accommodate the goods produced. At this stage it will turn into a semi-fixed cost.

Variable Costs

Variable costs, as the name suggests, are the costs that are directly linked with the output. These costs increase with an increase in output and vice versa. Some examples include raw material. If a business wishes to produce more goods it will have to buy more raw material that will result in its variable cost increasing. In the same way if it wishes to reduce production it will have to spend less on raw material that will result in its variable cost decreasing.

Opportunity Costs

The cost of choosing one thing and letting another go is known as opportunity cost. Technically, this cost does not exist as one does not have to pay anything, which is why accountants do not take this cost into consideration. However, economists and managerial accountants consider this cost when making business decisions.

The best practice is to take this cost into consideration as it gives a clearer picture and helps take correct decisions. For example, if you have an empty space with two options (1) to open a coaching center (2) to open a gym and you decide to open a gym, then the revenue you could’ve earned by opening a coaching center is your opportunity cost as you had to let it go to choose the other option.

Sunk Cost

Sunk cost is a cost that has been incurred and cannot be recovered, for example, paying for insurance in transit and the goods reaching the destination safely. The insurance cost is a sunk cost because it cannot be recovered even though it did not turn out to be very useful.

In addition to all these costs, there are several other costs that are directly associated with running a business. They include; operational cost and manufacturing costs.

However, the main problem is to identify the costs correctly so that decisions regarding opening, continuing or closing a business can be taken. Understandably, all these decisions depend on costs. A business must make sure to put the costs in the right category to avoid problems

Additionally, they should also be able to differentiate between costs and general expenditure as everything that a business incurs is not necessarily a cost that should be taken into consideration when managerial decisions are being taken.