Prosper G.

Santiago
Collecting and Analyzing Secondary Data
Definition of Terms
1) Secondary data
• Secondary data is research data that has previously been gathered and can be accessed by
researchers.
• Secondary data is the data that have been already collected by and readily available from
other sources.
2) Collecting
• Data collection is the process of gathering and measuring information on variables of
interest, in an established systematic fashion that enables one to answer stated
research questions, test hypotheses, and evaluate outcomes.
• Data collection is the systematic approach to gathering and measuring information
from a variety of sources to get a complete and accurate picture of an area of interest.
3) Analysis
• Detailed examination of the elements or structure of something.
• Analysis is the process of breaking a complex topic or substance into smaller parts in
order to gain a better understanding of it.

Importance of Secondary data

• All research studies require secondary data for the background of the study.
• Secondary data can be used to compare with primary data you may have collected.
• Circumvents having to gather primary data

Disadvantages of using secondary data

• Miss out on the experiences and skills gained by having to generate your own primary
data from real-life situations.
• Collection and analysis of secondary data might vary
• Secondary data gathered might have a different purpose than your research.
Problems when seeking previously recorded data
• locating and accessing them
• authenticating the sources
• assessing credibility
• gauging how representative they are
• selecting methods to interpret them

Types of Secondary Data

1) Written Materials
• Publications – books, journals, newspapers
• Communications – e-mails, letters
• Organizational records – Internal reports, Personnel data
2) Non-written materials
• TV Programs
• Radio programs
• Interviews
• Live reports
3) Survey data
• Government census
• Economic forecasts
• Market/Employee/Household Surveys

Sources of Secondary Data

• Data sets online
• Documentary data
• Libraries, Museums and other Archives
• Commercial and professional bodies

References:
1) Walliman, N. (2018). Research methods: The basics. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge, an imprint
of the Taylor & Francis Group.
2) (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://ori.hhs.gov/education/products/n_illinois_u/datamanagement/dctopic.html
3) Huff, H. (n.d.). MSG Management Study Guide. Retrieved from
https://www.managementstudyguide.com/secondary_data.htm
4) What Is Data Interpretation? Meaning, Methods, Benefits & Problems. (2018, August 22).
Retrieved from https://www.datapine.com/blog/data-interpretation-methods-benefits-problems/
5) What is data collection? - Definition from WhatIs.com. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://searchcio.techtarget.com/definition/data-collection