Primary and secondary data

Question 1

What is primary data?

Answer 1

First-hand data from participants, collected specifically for research purposes

Question 2

What is secondary data?

Answer 2

Data collected by someone else other than the person doing the research, already exists before the investigation

Question 3

What are strengths of primary data?

Answer 3

High validity (authentic) and allows for precise operationalisation and control over variables

Question 4

What are limitations of primary data?

Answer 4

It takes time to set up and gather

Question 5

What are strengths of secondary data?

Answer 5

It is quick and inexpensive so minimal effort

Question 6

What are limitations of secondary data?

Answer 6

It may not match the researcher’s need and there is a variation in quality and accuracy so could be outdated (low temporal validity)