Primary and Secondary Sources

• Primary; Data which is collected or observed directly by the researcher first hand from ppts, specifically for purposes of study, using questionnaires and interviews

  Examples include; Data collected in experiments, responses to questionnaires, observations conducted by researcher
• Primary

  +Researchers controls the method and tools used to collect data, can ensure specific hypothesis/aim testing

  +Since research designs method used to collect, they know EV'S are controlled for, increases internal validity

  -Time consuming as researcher designs and collect data themselves

  -Can be difficult, impractical or unethical to collect large sets of data for some behaviours
• Secondary; Data collected by someone other than the researcher, purpose was for something other than the aims by researcher

  Examples include; Literature review, Artefacts for content analysis
• Secondary

  +Quicker as researcher does not have to design and collect the data

  +Can analyse data which might be impractical or unethical to collect

  -Do not have ability to control EV's which could have affects

  -The data may not fully match the aims and hypothesis of their study