Question

(TCO A) What is the difference between primary and secondary research data? Name two examples of each.

Answer 1

Primary research data is the data collected firsthand in regards to an event. It includes corrobation, eye witnesses, historical documents etc. Primary research data hasn't been used before to describe an event. So in other words, primary research data is used first time for the ongoing problem.

Example : 1.Government surveys like census.

2. Corrobation from an eye witness of a crime.

Secondary data is the use of already collected and studied data for other purposes than it was originally collected and studied for. Reports of an event, use of census for other purposes like male to female ratio etc.

Examples : 1. Use of a recorded statement of an eye witness.

2. Use of US census data by researchers who didn't collect the same. The purpose would be different as well like children in bracket of 10 to 12 years of age.