Primary and secondary data

Question 1

What is primary data?

Answer 1

Information collected first hand by the researchers e.g. interview the researcher conducts themselves

Question 2

What is a strength of primary data in terms of validity?

Answer 2

Data is used for intended purpose so more likely to be relevant

Can be qualitative and quantitative

Question 3

What is a strength of primary data in terms of ethics?

Answer 3

Researcher(s) are in contact with their participants and can be sensitive to any issues that arise, such as distress of a participant

Question 4

What is a weakness of primary data in terms of generalisability?

Answer 4

Primary data sets are often quite small so may be harder to draw conclusions compared to meta-analysis of secondary sources

Question 5

What is a weakness of primary data in terms of ethics?

Answer 5

Primary data collection is more likely to exploit potential participants than secondary

Question 6

What is a weakness of primary data in terms of validity?

Answer 6

There may be a danger of personal bias on the part of the researcher which could affect the data collection

Question 7

What is secondary data?

Answer 7

Data that has already been gathered / already exists e.g. previously published academic work

Question 8

What is a practical strength of secondary data?

Answer 8

Quicker than primary data

Less expensive as costs involved in producing research do not have to be incurred

Question 9

What is a weakness of secondary data in terms of validity?

Answer 9

Data may have been collected some time ago so responses may have changed as views in society are constantly changing - low temporal validity