Primary & Secondary data

• Secondary data is data that has already been collected and stored by someone else, such as newspaper articles or official statistics
• Primary data is collected first-hand by the researcher, such as interviews
• Secondary research is done before primary to determine what research has already been done and to identify gaps or issues that need further investigation. It saves time and money.
• Primary research means that the researcher can examine exactly the area they wish to and have far more control. It reflects contemporary ideas.
• Secondary data is practical, it allows us to make comparisons, and it allows us to identify gaps in research
• Secondary data may not meet the needs of the researcher