Introduction to primary and secondary data analysis

Doing a research study or a project means one will necessarily require information, right? We refer to that information as data. Primary data and secondary data are the two types of data that researchers can use. Both types of data contribute to a deeper understanding of the world, but how do they do so? This article explains primary and secondary data analysis in simple words so you can learn how to collect, analyze, and understand data.

What Is Primary Data?

Primary data is information you collect yourself. Nobody else has collected this new data. If you are making a survey, interviewing people, or observing something for your research, you are sourcing primary data.

Examples of Primary Data:

• Surveys involve asking people about their habits or thoughts.
• Interviews involve engaging in one-on-one conversations with individuals to understand their perspectives.
• Experiments involve testing things in a controlled manner and gathering the results.
• Observations involve the process of observing events unfolding and documenting the observations made.

What is secondary data?

Secondary data is information that someone else has already collected and published. You can obtain it from books, reports, or websites. You didn’t have to collect it on your own; you could use previously collected data instead.

Secondary Data Examples

• Government statistics include census, economic, labor, and geographic data.
• Research studies are published in the form of articles, books, or online databases.
• Published books are generally written by knowledgeable experts in any given field of study.
• Websites: More specifically, verified websites or databases.

How to Collect Primary Data

When collecting primary data, you must design your means of gathering information. It may be through a survey, interview, or whatever means. Here is a basic process that you can follow to collect primary data.

1. Design a Survey or Questionnaire

Design simple questions that enable you to source information. The questions should be straightforward. For example:

• How often do you use a smartphone?
•  What is your favorite kind of food?

2. Interviews

Hold interviews with other people, either individually or in online groups. Ask open-ended questions like:

• How do you feel about your neighborhood park?
•  How do you think online classes will affect your learning?

3. Observations/Experimentation

If your research involves observing animals or students, you only need to write this down clearly and in detail. Example:

• How do children respond to various types of toys?

How to Gather Secondary Data

Gathering secondary data is much more accessible than gathering primary data since the data already exists. Here is how to gather it:

1. Utilize Government Reports

Most governments publish loads of information about population, weather patterns, or economics. For instance, the U.S. Census Bureau has plenty of information about the population, income, and education of the country.

2. Utilize Online Databases

Some websites, like Google Scholar or ResearchGate, provide access to previously published research papers and articles. These websites are useful for gathering secondary data about the topic.

3. Look up Bbooks and journals.

Finding helpful books and journals at libraries or online bookstores is an easy way to obtain the necessary data.

How to Analyze Primary Data

Now that you have your primary data, you can start to analyze it. That means you will need to take a close look at your data to understand what it is telling you. Here’s how to analyze primary data:

1. Quantitative Data Analysis (Numbers)

If you have numbers obtained from a survey or experiment, you can analyze them using mathematical methods. For example:

• Find averages: Add all the numbers up and divide by how many there are.
• Charts or graphs: You can present your findings on bar charts, pie charts, or line graphs.

2. Qualitative Data Analysis (Words)

If you have open-ended responses from surveys or interviews, you need to read through the words and look for patterns. For instance, you might look for common ideas or opinions, such as:

• Many respondents believe that parks should have more playgrounds.
• Many respondents would like more free Wi-Fi in public spaces.

How to Analyze Secondary Data

Secondary data analysis differs slightly from primary data analysis. Since you did not collect this data, it is important to analyze its reliability and its relevance to your research.

1. Compare data from more than one source.

Read more than one source of secondary data and then compare these. Are they all saying the same thing? For instance, are the reports you read presenting the same figures for the economy?

2. Understand the context.

Be sure to check where the information originates. Was it collected recently? Is it still relevant? For example, if you’re viewing data related to the economy in 2005, it likely won’t be useful for research in the present.

Primary vs. Secondary Data: Key Differences

Here’s a simple comparison of primary and secondary data:

Feature	Primary Data	Secondary Data
Method of collection	Collected firsthand by you	Collected by someone else
Examples	Surveys, interviews, and experiments.	Government reports, books, and websites.
Cost	More expensive to gather	Less expensive or free
Time	Already available	Takes longer to gather

 

Conclusion

Primary and secondary data are both of value in research. Primary data will give you new, fresh information, while secondary data helps in finding what others have already learned. How to collect and analyze both types of data will improve your research’s reliability.