Primary and Secondary Data Essay

1. chief(a) AND thirdhand endureledgeWe explore the availableness and expend of instruction ( old and thirdhand) in the battlefield of business seek. unique(predicate) solelyy, we examine an international sample of doctoral dissertations since 1998, categorizing explore topics, nurture assemblage, and availability of randomness. Findings suggest that use of only original info pervades the discipline, despite strong methodological reasons to join on with supplemental information.INTRODUCTIONselective breeding puke be defined as the quantitative or qualitative values of a variable. Data is plural of datum which literally promoter to cash in whizs chips or something given. Data is vox populi to be the lowest unit of cultivation from which an early(a)(prenominal) measurements and analysis potty be done. Data can be numbers, images, words, figures, facts or ideas. Data in itself can non be unders in additiond and to germinate information from the selecti ve information one must(prenominal)(prenominal) interpret it into meaty information. There be various methods of interpreting information.Data sources be broadly classified into basal and collateral data.Knowing how the data was collect allows critics of a study to search for yield in how it wasconducted. A comfortably study leave behind welcome often(prenominal) scrutiny. Each type has its make weaknesses andstrengths. direct(a) Data is ga in that locationd by people who can reduce involvely on the purpose in mind.This helps ensure that questions argon meaningful to the purpose except can introduce bias in those aforesaid(prenominal) questions. substitute data doesnt throw off the privilege of this center onsing provided is only susceptibleto bias introduced in the choice of what data to reuse. Stated another way, those who gatherPrimary Data stick by to write the questions. Those who gather substitute data get to pick thequestions. immensity OF entropy AND entropy COLLECTIONData is one of the most in-chief(postnominal) and vital aspect of all look for studies. investigators conducted in different handle of study can be different in methodology but every inquiry is establish on data which is analyzed and construe to get information. Data is the basic unit in statistical studies. statistical information like census, creation variables, health statistics, and road accidents dispositions be all developed from data .Data is important in estimator science. Numbers, images and figures in computer are all data .DATA COLLECTION TECHNIQUESThere are two sources of data charm techniques. Primary and unoriginal data collection techniques, Primary data collection uses measures, experiments or direct observations .Secondary data collection may be conducted by collecting information from a versatile source of documents or electronically stored information, census and market studies are examples of a common sources of standb y coil data. This is in addition referred to as data mining. elemental DATAPrimary data meaning veritable data that has been compile specially for the purpose in mind. It means someone collected the data from the original source first hand. Data collected this way is called primary data .Primary data has not been published yet and is more reliable, authentic and verifiable .Primary data has not been changed or altered by human beings thitherfore its validity is greater than secondary data.The people who gather primary data may be an authorized organization, investigator, enumerator or they may be just someone with a clipboard. These people are acting as a witness so primary data is only considered as reliable as the people who gathered it.IMPORTANCE OF PRIMARY DATAImportance of Primary data cannot be neglected. A inquiry can be conducted with show upsecondary data but a investigate based on only secondary data is least reliable and may pee-peebiases because secondary data has already been manipulated by human beings. In statisticalsurveys it is necessary to get information from primary sources and work on primary data forexample, the statistical records of female population in a country cannot be based on naturalspaper, magazine and other printed sources. One such sourceis old and secondly theycontain get wind information as well as they can be take and biased. asperityValidity is one of the major concerns in a query. Validity is the quality of a enquiry thatmakes it trustworthy and scientific. Validity is the use of scientific methods in research tomake it logical and acceptable.Using primary data in research can improves the validity of research. First-hand informationobtained from a sample that is representative of the target population will yield data that willbe valid for the entire target population.AuthenticityAuthenticity is the authenticity of the research. Authenticity can be at stake if the investigatorinvests personal biases or use s misleading information inthe research. Primary research tools data can fix more authentic if the methods chosen to analyze and interpret data arevalid and clean suitable for the data type.Primary sources are more authentic because the facts cast off not been all overdone. Primary sourcecan be less authentic if the source hides information or alters facts due to some personalreasons. There are methods that can be employ to ensure factual yielding of data from thesource.ReliabilityReliability is the proof that the research is enough true to be trusted on. For example, if aresearch study concludes that fling food consumption does not increase the risk of cancer andheart diseases. This terminus should have to be drawn from a sample whose size, samplingtechnique and variability is not questionable.Reliability improves with victimization primary data. In the similar research mentioned above if the police detective uses data-based method and questionnaires the results will be hig hly reliable.On the other hand, if he relies on the data available in books and on internet he will collectinformation that does not represent the real facts.SOURCES OF PRIMARY DATASources for primary data are limited and at eons it becomes elusive to obtain data fromprimary source because of either scarcity of population or lack of cooperation. disregarding ofany difficulty one can face in collecting primary data it is the most authentic and reliabledata source. Following are some of the sources of primary data.ExperimentsExperiments require an artificial or natural setting in which to arrange logical study to collectdata. Experiments are more suitable for medicine, psychological studies, comestible and forother scientific studies. In experiments the experimenter has to keep control over theinfluence of any away variable on the results.SurveySurvey is most commonly use method in social sciences, management, marketing andpsychology to some extent. Surveys can be conducted in different methods. Questionnaire is the most commonly utilise method in survey. Questionnaires are a list ofquestions either an open-ended or close -ended for which the respondent give answers.Questionnaire can be conducted via telephone, mail, live in a public area, or in an institute,through electronic mail or through fax and other methods. Interview is a face-to-face conversation with the respondent. It is slow, expensive, and theytake people away from their regular(a) jobs, but they allow in-depth questioning and follow-upquestions.The interviewer can not only record the statements the interviewee speaks but he can observethe body language or non-verbal conference such as face-pulling, fidgeting, shrugging,hand gestures, sarcastic expressions that add further meaning to mouth words and otherreactions to the questions too.A problem with interviews is that people might say what they gauge the interviewer emergencys tohear they might avoid being honestly critical in theatric al role their jobs or reputation might suffer.And the respondent deliberately hides information other it is an in depth source ofinformation. So this enables the interviewer to draw conclusions easily. Observations can be done while letting the observing person know that he is being observedor without letting him know. Observations can also be made in natural settings as well as inartificially created environment.Primary data can be relied on because you know where it came from and what was done to it.Its like cooking something yourself. You know what went into it.ADVANTAGES OF PRIMARY RESEARCHTargeted Issues are book of factsedThe organization asking for the research has the complete control on the process and theresearch is streamlines as far as its objectives and scope is concerned. Researching companycan be asked to concentrate their efforts to find data regarding specific market rather thanconcentration on mass market.Data interpretation is betterThe collected data can be ex amined and taken by the marketers depending on theirneeds rather than relying on the interpretation made by collectors of secondary data.Efficient Spending for InformationUnlike secondary research where the marketer may spend for information that is not needed,primary data collections focus on issues specific to the research worker improves the chances thatresearch funds will be dog-tired efficiently.Decency of DataUsually secondary data is not so modern and it may not be specific to the place or situationmarketer is targeting. The researcher can use the irrelevant seeming information for knowingtrends or may be able to find some relation with the authoritative scenario. and then primary databecomes a more accurate tool since we can use data which is useful for us.Proprietary IssuesInformation collected by victimisation primary research is their own and is generally not shared withothers. Thus, information can be kept hidden from competitors and potentially offer aninformation advantage to the company that undertook the primary research. This gives anedge over competitors replying on secondary data.Addresses Specific Research IssuesCarrying out their own research allows the marketing organization to address issues specificto their own situation. Primary research is designed to collect the information the marketerwants to know (Step 2) and report it in ways that benefit the marketer. For example, whileinformation reported with secondary research may not fit the marketers needs (e.g., differentage free radicalings) no such problem exists with primary research since the marketer controls theresearch design.Greater ControlNot only does primary research enable the marketer to focus on specific issues, it also enablesthe marketer to have a higher level of control over how the information is collected. In thisway the marketer can decide on such issues as size of project (e.g., how umteen responses),location of research (e.g., geographic area) and time frame for completing the project.DISADVANTAGES OF PRIMARY RESEARCHHigh CostCompared to secondary research, primary data may be very expensive since there is a greatdeal of marketer involvement and the expense in preparing and driveling out research can behigh and has to design everything.Time ConsumingTo be done flop primary data collection requires the development and execution of aresearch plan. Going from the start-point of deciding to undertake a research project to theend-point to having results is often much long-run than the time it takes to acquire secondarydata, which can be collected in much lesser time duration.Inaccurate Feed-backsIn case the research involves taking feedbacks from the targeted audience, there are highchances that feedback given is not correct. Feedbacks by their basic nature are usually biasedor given just for the sake of it.More number of resources is unavoidableLeaving aside cost and time, other resources like human resources and materials too are neede d in larger quantity to do surveys and data collection.SECONDARY DATASecondary data is the data that has been already collected by and readily available from othersources. When we use Statistical Method with Primary Data from another purpose for ourpurpose we refer to it as Secondary Data. It means that one purposes Primary Data is anotherpurposes Secondary Data. So that secondary data is data that is being reused. Such data arecheaper and more quickly available than the primary data.These secondary data may be obtained from some sources, including literature, industrysurveys, compilations from computerized databases and information systems, andcomputerized or mathematical models of environmental processes.IMPORTANCE OF SECONDARY DATASecondary data can be less valid but its enormousness is still there. Sometimes it is difficult toobtain primary data in these cases acquire information from secondary sources is easier andpossible. Sometimes primary data does not exist in such situ ation one has to confine theresearch on secondary data.Sometimes primary data is present but the respondents are not unforced to reveal it in such casetoo secondary data can dish out for example, if the research is on the psychology oftranssexuals first it is difficult to find out transsexuals and second they may not be willing togive information you want for your research, so you can collect data from books or otherpublished sources.SOURCES OF SECONDARY DATASecondary data is often readily available. After the expense of electronic media and internetthe availability of secondary data has become much easier.Published Printed SourcesThere are varieties of published printed sources. Their credibility depends on many factors.For example, on the writer, publishing company and time and date when published. Newsources are preferred and old sources should be avoided as new technology and researchesbring new facts into light.BooksBooks are available today on any topic that you want to rese arch. The uses of books startbefore even you have selected the topic. After selection of topics books leave alone insight onhow much work has already been done on the same topic and you can prepare your literaturereview. Books are secondary source but most authentic one in secondary sources.Journals/periodicalsJournals and periodicals are proper more important as far as data collection is concerned.The reason is that journals provide up-to-date information which at times books cannot andsecondly, journals can give information on the very specific topic on which you areresearching rather talking about more general topics.Magazines/NewspapersMagazines are also effective but not very reliable. Newspaper on the other hand is morereliable and in some cases the information can only be obtained from newspapers as in thecase of some political studies.Published Electronic SourcesAs internet is becoming more advance, fast and reachable to the masses it has been seen thatmuch information tha t is not available in printed form is available on internet. In the past thecredibility of internet was questionable but today it is not. The reason is that in the pastjournals and books were seldom published on internet but today or so every journal andbook is available online. Some are free and for others you have to pay the price.E-journalse-journals are more commonly available than printed journals.Latest journals are difficult to retrieve without subscription but if your university has an e-library you can view any journal, print it and those that are not available you can make anorder for them.General Websites Generally websites do not contain very reliable information so theircontent should be check over for the reliability before quoting from them.Weblogs Weblogs are also becoming common. They are in reality diaries written by differentpeople. These diaries are as reliable to use as personal written diaries.Unpublished Personal RecordsSome unpublished data may also be use ful in some cases.Diaries Diaries are personal records and are rarely available but if you are conducting adescriptive research then they might be very useful. The Anne Franks diary is the mostfamous example of this. That diary contained the most accurate records of Nazi wars. Letters Letters like diaries are also a rich source but should be check for their reliabilitybefore exploitation them.Government RecordsGovernment records are very important for marketing, management, humanistic discipline and socialscience research. Census Data/population statistics Health records Educational institutes records Public heavens RecordsNGOs survey data Other private companies recordsADVANTAGES OF SECONDARY DATA liberalisation of AccessThere are many advantages to using secondary research. This includes the relative ease ofaccess to many sources of secondary data. In the past secondary data accumulation requiredmarketers to realise libraries, or wait for reports to be shipped by mail. Now w ith theavailability of online access, secondary research is more openly accessed. This offersconvenience and generally standardized usage methods for all sources of secondary research.Low Cost to AcquireThe use of secondary data has allowed researchers access to valuable information for little orno cost to acquire. Therefore, this information is much less expensive than if the researchershad to carry out the research themselves.Clarification of Research QuestionThe use of secondary research may help the researcher to wrap up the research question.Secondary research is often used prior to primary research to help clarify the research focus.May Answer Research QuestionThe use of secondary data collection is often used to help align the focus of large scaleprimary research. When focusing on secondary research, the researcher may fool that theexact information they were looking to uncover is already available through secondarysources. This would effectively eliminate the need and exp ense to carry out their ownprimary research.May memorialize Difficulties in Conducting Primary ResearchIn many cases, the originators of secondary research include details of how the informationwas collected. This may include information detailing the mathematical functions used in data collectionand difficulties encountered in conducting the primary research. Therefore, the detaileddifficulties may persuade the researcher to decide that the potential information obtained isnot worth the potential difficulties in conducting the research.DISADVANTAGES OF SECONDARY DATAQuality of ResearchThere are some disadvantages to using secondary research. The originators of the primaryresearch are largely self-governed and controlled by the marketer. Therefore, the secondaryresearch used must be scrutinized closely since the origins of the information may bequestionable. Moreover, the researcher needs to take adapted go to critically evaluate thevalidity and reliability of the information pr ovided.Not Specific to Researchers NeedsIn many cases, secondary data is not presented in a form that exactly meets the researchersneeds. Therefore, the researcher needs to rely on secondary data that is presented andclassified in a way that is similar to their needs.Incomplete InformationIn many cases, researchers find information that appears valuable and promising. Theresearcher may not get the profuse version of the research to gain the full value of the study. This is because many research suppliers offer free portions of their research and then chargeexpensive fees for their full reports.Not by the byeWhen using secondary research, one must exercise caution when using dated informationfrom the past. With companies competing in fast changing industries, an out-of-date researchreports many have little or no relevance to the current market situation. valuation OF SECONDARY DATABecause of the above mentioned disadvantages of secondary data, we will lead to evaluation of seconda ry data. Evaluation means the following four requirements must be satisfied- 1. Availability- It has to be seen that the kind of data you want is available or not. If it is not available then you have to go for primary data. 2. Relevance- It should be meeting the requirements of the problem. For this we have two criterion- a. Units of measurement should be the same. b. Concepts used must be same and currency of data should not be outdated. 3. Accuracy- In order to find how accurate the data is, the following points must be considered a. Specification and methodology used b. Margin of error should be examined c. The dependability of the source must be seen. 4. Sufficiency- Adequate data should be available.Robert W Joselyn has classified the above discussion into eight steps. These eight steps aresub classified into three categories. He has given a detailed procedure for evaluatingsecondary data. 1. Applicability of research objective. 2. Cost of acquisition. 3. Accuracy of data.CON CLUSIONPrimary research entails the use of immediate data in determining the survival of the market.The ordinary ways to collect primary data consist of surveys, interviews and focus groups,which shows that direct relationship between potential customers and the companies.Whereas secondary research is a means to reprocess and reuse collected information as anindication for betterments of the service or product.Both primary and secondary data are useful for businesses but some(prenominal) may differ from eachother in various aspects.In secondary data, information relates to a past period. Hence, it lacksaptness and therefore, it has unsatisfactory value. Primary data is more accommodating as itshows latest information.Secondary data is obtained from some other organization than the one instantaneouslyinterested with current research project. Secondary data was collected and analyzed by theorganization to convene the requirements of various research objectives. Primary data isaccumu lated by the researcher particularly to meet up the research objective of the subsistingproject.Secondary data though old may be the only possible source of the coveted data on thesubjects, which cannot have primary data at all.For example, survey reports or secret recordsalready collected by a business group can offer information that cannot be obtained fromoriginal sources.Firm in which secondary data are accumulated and delivered may not accommodate the exactneeds and particular requirements of the current research study. Many a time, alteration ormodifications to the exact needs of the investigator may not be sufficient. To that amountusefulness of secondary data will be lost. Primary data is completely tailor-made and there isno problem of adjustments.Secondary data is available effortlessly, rapidly and inexpensively. Primary data takes a lot oftime and the unit cost of such data is relatively high.Often secondary data have been pre-processed to give totals or averages and th e original details are lost so you cant verify it byreplicating the methods used by the original data collectors.In short, primary data are expensive and difficult to acquire, but they are trustworthy.Secondary data are cheap and easy to collect, but must be treated with caution.REFERENCES1. http//www.ianswer4u.com/2012/02/primary-research-advantages- and.htmlixzz2B6ioqOwT 2. http//www.worldbank.org/poverty/impact/methods/datacoll.htm 3. Bryman, A. and E. Bell 2003, Business Research Methods (Oxford University Press, Oxford, New York). 4. Dillman, gain A. Mail and Telephone Surveys The Total Design Method. New York, John Wiley and Sons, 1978. 5. Galpin, T. The determination of Mail Questionnaires as a Method of Data Collection. (Sept, 1987) 14 of 15