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Concept of Primary and Secondary Data

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21 views

Concept of Primary and Secondary Data

Uploaded by

manastiwari2112
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Sources of Data

Introduction

In statistic analysis, collection of data plays a significant part. Data


collected/obtained may be of two types, namely;

• primary data
• secondary data.

Primary data is assembling of data or information for the first time i.e. first hand
information, whereas, secondary data is the data that has been already gathered
or collected by others.

The most important characteristics of primary data is it is original and first-hand,


whereas, secondary data is the interpretation and analysis of the primary data.
Primary Data

Primary data is the data collected for the first time through personal experiences or evidence,
particularly for research/ to fulfill data needs of a problem at hand. It is also described as raw data or
first-hand information.

The mode of assembling information/data is costly, as the analysis is done by an agency or an


external organisation and needs human resources and investment. The investigator supervises and
controls the data collection process directly.

Mostly the data is collected through observations, physical testing, mailed questionnaires, surveys,
personal interviews, telephonic interviews, case studies, and focus groups, etc.

Eg: Data obtained in a population census by the Office of the Registrar General and Census
Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs are primary data.
It is preferable to make use of primary data wherever possible for the following reasons;

1. The secondary source may contain mistakes due to errors in transcriptions made when the
figures are copied from the primary sources.

2. The primary source frequently includes definitions of terms and units used.

3. The primary source often includes a copy of the schedule and a description of the procedure
used in selecting the sample and in collecting the data.

4. The primary source usually shows data in greater detail.


Secondary Data

Data which is not originally collected but rather obtained from published or unpublished sources is
known as secondary data.
It is second-hand data that is already collected and recorded by some researcher for their purpose and
not for the current research problem.

It is accessible in the form of data collected from different sources such as government publications,
censuses, internal records of an organisation, books, journal articles, websites, and reports etc.
This method of gathering data is affordable, readily available, saves cost and time.

The one disadvantage is that the information assembled is for some other purpose and may not meet
the present research purpose or may not be accurate.
Secondary data offers the following advantages;

1) It is highly convenient to use information which someone else has compiled. There is no
need to print data collection forms, hiring enumerators, editing and tabulating results etc.

2) Easier to obtain secondary data as compared to primary data.

3) Secondary data may be available on some subjects where it would be impossible to collect
primary data.
Eg; census data cannot be collected by an individual or a research organization but can only be
obtained from government publications.

However;
- Data should fit the need of the present project/study.
- Data should be accurate.
Choice between Primary and Secondary Data

The choice between the 2 methods of data collection depends on the following considerations;

1. Nature and scope of the enquiry

2. Availability of financial resources

3. Availability of time

4. Degree of accuracy desired

5. The collecting agency i.e. whether the government, individual, institution etc.
Primary Data Secondary Data
Definition
Primary data is data which is collected for Secondary data refers to data which has
the first time. already been collected by some person.
Originality
Primary data is original because it is Secondary data is not original because
collected by the Investigator for the first someone else has collected this data for
time. their own purpose.
Reliability and Suitability
Primary data is more reliable and suitable It is less reliable and less suitable as
for the enquiry because it is collected for someone else has collected the data which
a particular purpose. may not perfectly match our purpose.
Time and Money
Collecting primary data is quite expensive Secondary data requires less time and
both in time and money terms. money so it is economical.
Precaution and Editing
No particular precaution or editing is Both precaution and editing are essential
required while using primary data as as secondary data is collected by someone
these have been collected with a definite else for their own purpose.
purpose.

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