What do You mean by Secondary Data?
The Secondary data is that specific data that has been already collected by the primary sources and made the data readily available for other researchers to use for their own research study. This is a type of data that has been previously collected and is further used by the required study.
A researcher might collect this data for a specific project, then after this, it is made available to be used by another researcher. The data in its primary form may also have been collected for general use with no specific research purpose like in the case of a national census.
This is the case when the primary data is being reused.
Limitations of Secondary Data
There are limitations involved in the usage of Secondary Data. The limitations are as follows:
Data Quality
The data which is being collected through the secondary sources may not be as authentic as if using the primary data which gives first-hand information when collected directly from the source.
Irrelevant Data
The Researchers do spend a lot of time searching for many irrelevant data before finally bumping into the relevant one.
In cases like this, a researcher may not find the exact data he or she needs, but have to settle for the next best alternative, which might not be totally relevant.
Exaggerated Data
These data sources are known to be exaggerated as the information which is being shared may be biased to maintain a good public image or due to a paid advert.
Outdated Information
Some of the data sources are really outdated and thus there are no new available data to replace the old ones. For example, the national census is not usually updated yearly, and hence, this may lead us to outdated information about a particular study.
Precautions to be taken Before Using Secondary Data
The investigator is required to take adequate precautions before using the secondary data. For this, the following precautions should be taken into account.
Suitable Purpose of Investigation
The investigator must ensure that the data are quite suitable for the purpose of inquiry or his study.
Inadequate Data
Adequacy of the data is needed to be judged in the light of the requirements of the survey and also the geographical area covered by the available data.
Definition of Units
The investigator must also ensure that the definitions of the units are used by him are the same as in the same investigation.
Degree of Accuracy
The investigator is required to keep in mind the degree of accuracy that is maintained by each investigator.
Time and Condition of Collection of Facts
This is to be ascertained that before making use of the available data to the period and conditions, the data is to be collected.
Comparison
The investigator should keep in mind whether the secondary data is reasonable, consistent, and comparable to his required study or not.
Test Checking
The use of the secondary data must do the test checking appropriately and see that the totals and rates are correctly calculated.
Homogeneous Condition
It is not safe to take the published statistics at their face value without knowing their means, values, and limitations which might be irrelevant totally.
Sources of Secondary Data
The sources of secondary data include books, personal sources, using the journal, reading the newspaper, website surfing, government record, etc. Secondary data are known to be readily available compared to that of the primary data. This requires very little research and need for manpower to harness these sources.
With the advent of electronic media and the internet, secondary data sources have become even more easily and readily accessible. Some of these sources are highlighted below-
Books
Published Sources
Unpublished Personal Sources
Journal
Newspapers
Websites
Blogs
Diaries
Government Records
Podcasts
What is Primary Data and Secondary Data ?
While identifying and researching a problem of a population group the researcher collects the information and opinions of every individual in that group. It is done by various methods such as interviewing, surveying, voting, sample experiments, etc. If it is collected by the researcher himself or any body appointed by him then the data obtained is termed as the Primary Data. Various private research organizations as well as government institutions carry out these activities under project to project basis for different objectives. It is done to evaluate market scenarios or for arrangement of different facilities for the greater mass. Gathering of data is a very time consuming and costly affair.
There are also some instances when any entity doing such research programs do not go for gathering information or data by themselves. They rather prefer to obtain the data collected previously by any organisation and use it for their own research. This data, that was already existing, when obtained for further research purposes is popularly known as secondary data.
The primary data collected by government institutions or by using public money is often available in the public domain to be used by anybody in need of it. But the data collected by private institutions or individuals is often available by payment of the predetermined price fixed by the entity who has collected that primary data set.
However when obtaining any primary data to use as secondary data some precautions are required to be taken. It protects the research from getting compromised due to wrong data or its interpretation. The data quality and it's authenticity should be always kept in mind while obtaining any data. As it is very rare to find the very exact data that anybody is searching for, utmost care must be taken while adopting the next best data set available before. Any exaggerated or outdated data must be identified very early. Any inadequacy in data can be supplemented with research or any other sources of pre-existing data. Finally every data must undergo through test checking before its use.
FAQs on Precautions When Using Secondary Data
1. What are the key precautions a researcher must take before using secondary data?
Before using secondary data, a researcher must take several precautions to ensure the data's validity and appropriateness. The main checks include:
- Suitability of Purpose: The data must be suitable for the current investigation's objective.
- Adequacy and Scope: Ensure the data's geographical area and scope are sufficient for the research requirements.
- Definition of Units: The units of measurement and definitions used in the original data collection must be consistent with the current study.
- Degree of Accuracy: The level of accuracy maintained by the original investigator must be acceptable for the new research.
- Time and Conditions of Collection: The period and conditions under which the data was collected must be relevant to the present context to avoid using outdated information.
- Test Checking: A sample check should be performed to verify that totals, calculations, and rates in the secondary data are correct.
2. What is the main difference between primary and secondary data in research?
The main difference lies in who collects the data and for what purpose. Primary data is original, first-hand information collected directly by the researcher for a specific purpose through methods like surveys, interviews, or experiments. In contrast, secondary data is pre-existing data that was collected by someone else for another purpose but is now being used by the current researcher. For example, using national census figures for a market analysis study involves secondary data.
3. What are some common sources of secondary data for commerce students?
Commerce students can access secondary data from a variety of sources. These are broadly categorised as published and unpublished. Common sources include:
- Government Records: Publications like the National Census, reports from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), and economic surveys.
- Published Sources: Books, academic journals, newspapers, and reports from trade associations or research institutions.
- Electronic and Digital Media: Websites, online databases, blogs, and podcasts that discuss business and economic trends.
- Unpublished Personal Sources: Diaries, letters, or internal records of a company that may not be publicly available.
4. Why is it so crucial to check the suitability of secondary data for your investigation?
Checking the suitability is crucial because data collected for one purpose may not be appropriate for another. For instance, data collected to understand urban consumer spending might be unsuitable for a study on rural purchasing habits. Using unsuitable data can lead to flawed analysis and incorrect conclusions. The original objective for which the data was collected directly influences its variables, scope, and definitions, which might not align with your current research objective, thereby compromising the entire study.
5. What are the potential risks of using secondary data without taking any precautions?
Using secondary data without precaution exposes a study to significant risks. These include:
- Irrelevant Conclusions: The data may not perfectly match the research problem, leading to irrelevant findings.
- Inaccurate Results: The original data may contain errors or have a low degree of accuracy, which gets carried over into the new research.
- Outdated Information: Data sources might be outdated (e.g., a census from 10 years ago), not reflecting the current market or social scenario.
- Biased Interpretation: The source may be biased, such as a company report designed to create a positive image, leading to exaggerated or skewed data.
6. How does the 'time and condition' of the original data collection impact its use in a new study?
The 'time and condition' of data collection are critical for relevance. Economic, social, or political conditions can change drastically over time. For example, consumer buying behaviour data collected before a major economic policy change would not be reliable for a study conducted after the policy implementation. Using such outdated data can provide a misleading picture of the current situation. Therefore, a researcher must ascertain the collection period to ensure the data is still contextually relevant and applicable.
7. What does 'test checking' involve as a precaution when using secondary data?
Test checking is the process of verifying the accuracy of calculations within the secondary data. It involves taking a small sample from the dataset and manually checking if the totals, percentages, averages, and rates have been calculated correctly by the original source. This precaution helps to identify any arithmetic errors or inconsistencies in the data before it is fully adopted for research. It is a crucial step to ensure the fundamental reliability of the numerical information you are about to use.
8. Is it safe to assume that data from a published government source is always reliable?
No, it is not entirely safe to assume that all published data, even from a government source, is automatically reliable for every purpose. While generally more trustworthy than other sources, you must still apply precautions. For example, a national census is a highly reliable source for population counts, but its data is only collected once a decade. For a study requiring up-to-date demographic trends, this data could be considered outdated. Always evaluate any source based on its suitability, accuracy, and timeliness relative to your specific research needs.
9. Under what circumstances is using secondary data more advantageous than collecting primary data?
Using secondary data is more advantageous in several situations, particularly when resources are limited. Key circumstances include:
- Time Constraints: When research needs to be completed quickly, as collecting primary data is very time-consuming.
- Budget Limitations: Secondary data is often cheaper to obtain than conducting large-scale primary research, which requires significant manpower and financial investment.
- Scope of Study: When the research requires a vast amount of data over a long period or large geographical area (e.g., national-level studies), which would be impractical to collect first-hand.
- Accessibility: When the required data is readily available from reliable sources like government publications or academic databases.
