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Definition of Primary and Secondary Data

The document defines primary and secondary data. Primary data is data collected directly by the analyst to address a specific problem, while secondary data is data previously collected by other people for other purposes. Primary data requires more resources but is more accurate and specific to the problem, whereas secondary data is easier and cheaper to obtain but may not be as relevant or precise.
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
34 views3 pages

Definition of Primary and Secondary Data

The document defines primary and secondary data. Primary data is data collected directly by the analyst to address a specific problem, while secondary data is data previously collected by other people for other purposes. Primary data requires more resources but is more accurate and specific to the problem, whereas secondary data is easier and cheaper to obtain but may not be as relevant or precise.
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DEFINITION OF PRIMARY DATA

Primary data are data originated by the analyst through their efforts.
directors and their experience. They are obtained with the purpose of addressing the problem that is
wants to analyze. They are also known as raw data or first-hand data.

The collection of primary data is quite costly as the research


start your own business or an agency and it usually requires resources such as investment and labor
of work. The collection of primary data is under direct control and supervision of
analyst.

Data can be collected through various methods, such as surveys,


observations, physical tests, questionnaires sent by mail, questionnaires
filled out and sent by surveyors, personal interviews, telephone interviews,
case studies, etc.

DEFINITION OF SECONDARY DATA


Secondary data involves information that has already been collected and recorded.
for another person different from the analyst, for a purpose that is not related to the
current analysis problem. It is a form of easily available data collected from
various sources such as censuses, government publications, internal records of the
organization, reports, books, journal articles, websites, etc.

Secondary data offers several advantages, such as being easily


available and saves time and cost for the analyst, but they have some disadvantages
associated since the data is collected for purposes other than the problem at hand.
analyzing why the usefulness of the data is limited, fundamentally because
they may not be relevant or accurate for the issue at hand.

In addition, the objective and the method adopted for data acquisition may not
be appropriate to the current situation. Therefore, before using secondary data
they should take into account all these factors.

The use of secondary sources has two aspects or utilities within the framework of
a social research
1. As a theoretical framework. The use of documentation allows us to review
specific literature on the topic we are working on. Allows
establish what is called the state of the question, that is, what has been written and
Already raised on the subject, what study perspectives exist, what are the
main positions, what have been the main ones so far
findings, etc.
2. As empirical material. Documentary material is also the subject of study. The
the use of statistical data or documents allows for contrasting the proposals
departure researchers and assume a primary source of information
for the research we can work on.

SUMMARY OF MAIN DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PRIMARY DATA AND


SECONDARY STUDENTS
The fundamental differences between primary and secondary data are the
next:

The term primary data refers to data originated by the researcher or


analyst for the first time. The secondary data are data from attendees collected
previously by agencies and organizations.
Primary data is real-time data while secondary data
are related to the past.
Primary data is collected to address the issue at hand while
Secondary data is collected for purposes other than the issue at hand.
The collection of primary data is a very complicated process, on the other hand
The process of collecting secondary data is quick and easy.
The main sources of data collection include surveys, observations,
experiments, questionnaires, personal interviews, etc., on the contrary, the sources
secondary data collection sources are government publications, websites,
books, journal articles, internal records, etc.
The primary data collection requires a large amount of resources such as
time, cost, and labor. In contrast, secondary data is relatively
cheap and rapidly available.
Primary data is always specific to the analyst's needs and it is he
who controls the quality of the analysis. In contrast, secondary data are not
specifics nor is there control over the quality of the data.
Primary data is available in raw form while secondary data
they are a refined form of primary data. It can also be said that they are obtained
secondary data when applying statistical methods to primary data.
Primary data is more reliable and accurate compared to the
originating from secondary sources.

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