Methods of Primary and Secondary Data/ Research

Methods of Primary and secondary data

1. Methods of Primary
and secondary data

2. Primary Data

“Primary data are those which are collected fresh and for the
first time’’
Primary data, in its simplest form, is information that is
collected directly by a researcher for a specific purpose. It's the
raw, original information gathered first-hand, often through
methods like surveys, interviews, or experiments, as opposed to
being derived from existing sources

3. Advantages of Primary Data




1. It is the original source of data
2. Can capture changes over time
3. Detailed and specific—ideal for extensive research studies

4. Disadvantages of Primary Data:





1. Expensive to obtain
2. Time-consuming
3. Requires skilled personnel
4. Difficult to manage and administer

6. Classification of Primary Data
1.
Primary data can be classified into the following types based on how the
data is collected:
Survey Data
• Collected through structured questionnaires or interviews.
• Involves asking people directly about their opinions, experiences, or
behaviors.
Example: A health survey asking patients about their diet and exercise
habits.

7. 2. Observational Data
• Gathered by observing people, events, or situations without direct
interaction.
• Useful in natural settings where behaviors are recorded as they happen.
Example: Observing hand hygiene practices in a hospital.

8. 3. Experimental Data
• Generated through controlled experiments, often in labs or clinical
settings.
• Involves manipulating variables to test cause-effect relationships.
Example: Testing the effect of a new drug on blood sugar levels.

9. 4. Qualitative Data
• Unstructured and descriptive in nature.
• Focuses on understanding feelings, motivations, and attitudes.
• Collected through interviews, focus groups, or open-ended
questions.
Example: Collecting opinions on public health services in rural
areas.

10. 5. Quantitative Data
• Numerical data that can be measured and statistically analyzed.
• Helps in drawing conclusions from large samples.
Example: Recording the weight, height, and blood pressure of
patients.

11. Qualitative vs Quantitative
Aspect Qualitative Research Quantitative Research
Purpose/ objective To gain the qualitative
understanding of the
underlying reasons &
motivations.
To Quantify the data &
generalize the results from the
sample to the population of
interest
Sample Small number of non
representative cases
Large number of
representative cases
Data Collection Unstructured Structured
Analysis Non-statistical Statistical
Outcome Develop an initial
understanding
Recommend a final course of
action

12. Secondary Data


“Data that has previously been gathered by someone else
and/or for some other purpose.”
“Data which are not originally collected but rather obtained
from published or unpublished sources.”

13. Advantages of Secondary Data:
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Quickly available
Inexpensive (e.g., government data is often free)
Provides information not easily accessible
Helps define the problem
Useful to develop research design
Supports interpretation of primary data

14. Drawbacks of Secondary Data:


Two major difficulties must be overcome-

Finding data to suit project
Finding data of known accuracy

15. Drawbacks of Secondary Data:
Finding data to suit project
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Quite often secondary data do not satisfy immediate need
because they have been complied for other purpose.
Three variations of this type which frequently damage the
value of secondary data are-
Units of measurement
Definantion of classes
Recency

16. Drawbacks of Secondary Data:
finding data of known Accuracy
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Before using secondary data the researcher must know the circumstances under
which they were generated
Accuracy of data can not be verified
A secondary data may be derived from-
Another secondary sources.
From an original sources

17. Other disadvantages:
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Frequently outdated
E.g Census data
Potentially unrelaible
Not always sure where information has come from
May not be applicable
may not totally answer your research questions
Lack of availability
no data available or difficult to obtain

18. Uses of secondary data
1: Identify the Research Problem
• Helps in understanding what is already known and what
needs to be studied further.
2: Better Define the Problem
• Gives background context, which helps in refining and
narrowing down the research question.
3: Develop an Approach to the Problem
• Supports the planning stage of research by identifying
relevant variables, theories, or models.

19. 4: Formulate a Research Design
• Helps in designing a study by suggesting appropriate methods
and identifying potential data sources.
5. Answer Certain Research Questions
• Sometimes, secondary data alone is enough to answer
specific research questions without the need for primary data collection.
6. Test Some Hypotheses
• Can be used to test or support theoretical assumptions with
already available data.
7. Interpret Primary Data More Insightfully
• Enhances the understanding and context of primary research
findings by comparing them with existing data.

22. o
o
o
o
o
“Internal secondary data are data that have been collected within the firm”
Such as-
sales records
Purchase requisitions
Invoices
Etc.
Internal secondary data (files,records, reports, etc.) is used for data
base marketing.

23. Database Marketing







Database marketing is the process of creating and managing customer
databases (internal) and other related databases to help in contacting
customers, making transactions, and building strong customer
relationships.
Examples: CRM (Customer Relationship Management) and Data Mining
A customer database usually includes:
• Names and addresses
• Records of previous purchases
• Customer responses to earlier marketing efforts
• Data collected from various other external sources

24. Internal Secondary Data









Department Store Project:
Sales data was analyzed to gather insights such as:
• Sales according to product category
• Sales by department (e.g., men’s wear, household items)
• Sales per individual store
• Sales by region or location
• Sales using cash vs. credit
• Sales during specific time frames
• Sales based on the purchase amount

25. External Secondary Data
“External data are supplied by organizations outside the firm
such as online information database”

27. Published Material




Government Reports
census data
Health survey
Journals

29. Computerized Database