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Primary Vs Secondary

Primary data is data collected directly by the researcher through methods like surveys and interviews specifically for their research problem. It is more accurate but costly to collect. Secondary data is already collected data from sources like government publications or other studies not aimed at the current research. It is cheaper and faster to obtain but may not be as relevant or reliable for the research problem. Both types of data have advantages and limitations depending on the research needs and resources.

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Amal Tharaka
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54 views1 page

Primary Vs Secondary

Primary data is data collected directly by the researcher through methods like surveys and interviews specifically for their research problem. It is more accurate but costly to collect. Secondary data is already collected data from sources like government publications or other studies not aimed at the current research. It is cheaper and faster to obtain but may not be as relevant or reliable for the research problem. Both types of data have advantages and limitations depending on the research needs and resources.

Uploaded by

Amal Tharaka
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Primary Data vs.

Secondary Data
Primary Data
Primary data is data originated for the first time by the researcher through direct efforts and
experience, specifically for the purpose of addressing his research problem. Also known as the first
hand or raw data. Primary data collection is quite expensive, as the research is conducted by the
organisation or agency itself, which requires resources like investment and manpower. The data
collection is under direct control and supervision of the investigator.

The data can be collected through various methods like surveys, observations, physical testing,
mailed questionnaires, questionnaire filled and sent by enumerators, personal interviews, telephonic
interviews, focus groups, case studies, etc.

Secondary Data
Secondary data implies second-hand information which is already collected and recorded by any
person other than the user for a purpose, not relating to the current research problem. It is the readily
available form of data collected from various sources like censuses, government publications,
internal records of the organisation, reports, books, journal articles, websites and so on.

Secondary data offer several advantages as it is easily available, saves time and cost of the
researcher. But there are some disadvantages associated with this, as the data is gathered for the
purposes other than the problem in mind, so the usefulness of the data may be limited in a number of
ways like relevance and accuracy.

Moreover, the objective and the method adopted for acquiring data may not be suitable to the current
situation. Therefore, before using secondary data, these factors should be kept in mind.

Comparison Chart

BASIS FOR
PRIMARY DATA SECONDARY DATA
COMPARISON

Meaning Primary data refers to the first Secondary data means data
hand data gathered by the collected by someone else earlier.
researcher himself.

Data Real time data Past data

Process Very involved Quick and easy

Source Surveys, observations, Government publications, websites,


experiments, questionnaire, books, journal articles, internal

Cost effectiveness Expensive Economical

Collection time Long Short

Specific Always specific to the May or may not be specific to the


researcher's needs. researcher's need.

Available in Crude form Refined form

Accuracy and More Relatively less


Reliability

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