Secondary Data-Internal &External Sources of Data Collection Factors influencing the choice of method of data collection

 

Secondary Data

Definition:
Secondary data is data that has already been collected by someone else for a different purpose, but it can be used by a researcher for their current study. It is typically readily available from various sources, both internal and external.

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Sources of Secondary Data

1. Internal Sources

Internal sources refer to data generated within an organization or a specific entity. This data is often already available and may be more cost-effective to use.

• Company Reports: Financial statements, annual reports, performance reviews, sales records.

• Internal Databases: Customer databases, employee records, and operational data.

• Previous Research: Reports and data collected from earlier studies conducted within the organization.

• Inventory Data: Information on stock levels, purchasing trends, and product movement.

  Merits:

  • Readily available and often free of cost.
  • Directly related to the organization’s operations.
  • Can be used to assess past performance and make future forecasts.

  Demerits:

  • Limited to the organization’s operations and may lack wider industry perspective.
  • Data may be outdated or incomplete.
  • May require extensive processing or cleaning.

2. External Sources

External sources refer to data collected from outside the organization, usually for public or commercial purposes.

• Government Publications: Census reports, economic surveys, industry reports, public health statistics, and other official documents.

• Trade Associations: Industry reports, market analysis, and benchmarking data from specific sectors.

• Academic Research: Journals, theses, dissertations, and scholarly articles that provide research findings in relevant fields.

• Commercial Sources: Data sold by market research firms, such as Nielsen, Gartner, or Kantar, which may include consumer behavior, market trends, and industry forecasts.

• Online Databases: Repositories like Statista, Google Scholar, World Bank databases, and others providing statistical, financial, or market-related data.

  Merits:

  • Provides broader perspectives and industry-wide trends.
  • Available from reputable sources, adding credibility.
  • Can help compare data across different industries or regions.

  Demerits:

  • May require a subscription or purchase to access.
  • Might not be tailored to the specific research needs of the organization.
  • Potential issues with data accuracy or how the data was originally collected.

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Factors Influencing the Choice of Method of Data Collection

The selection of the appropriate data collection method is critical to the success of any research study. Several factors must be considered to ensure the chosen method aligns with the research objectives.

1. Nature of the Research Problem

• Exploratory Research: Qualitative methods such as interviews or focus groups are usually preferred.
• Descriptive Research: Surveys or observational studies are common for gathering extensive information.
• Causal Research: Experimental methods are used to identify cause-and-effect relationships.

2. Type of Data Needed

• Quantitative Data: Methods like surveys, experiments, and secondary data analysis are suitable for numerical data collection.
• Qualitative Data: Interviews, focus groups, and case studies are more appropriate for capturing in-depth, non-numeric insights.

3. Budget and Resources Available

• Primary Data Collection: Expensive methods like surveys, experiments, or focus groups might be feasible if resources are available.
• Secondary Data Collection: More cost-effective as data is already collected, but accessing certain databases or purchasing reports may incur costs.

4. Time Constraints

• Short Time Frame: Secondary data or quick primary methods like online surveys may be preferable.
• Longer Time Frame: Detailed primary research like in-depth interviews, experiments, or extensive surveys may be more appropriate if time allows.

5. Accessibility of the Population

• Large/Dispersed Population: Online surveys or secondary data sources are more efficient for reaching broad or international audiences.
• Difficult-to-Reach Population: Direct interviews, ethnographic studies, or participant observations may be required for populations that are less accessible.

6. Researcher Expertise

• Skilled in Qualitative Analysis: Methods such as interviews and focus groups may be preferred if the researcher can interpret non-numerical data effectively.
• Skilled in Quantitative Analysis: Surveys and statistical methods are useful if the researcher is comfortable with data analysis techniques.

7. Data Reliability and Accuracy

• Control Over Data Quality: Primary data collection allows researchers to ensure data is accurate and relevant, while secondary data’s quality depends on the original collection process.
• Consistency: If consistency is critical, primary data ensures that the researcher can follow strict protocols to minimize bias or error.

8. Ethical Considerations

• Anonymity and Confidentiality: Some methods, such as interviews, may require extra measures to ensure privacy, whereas secondary data may not present these concerns.
• Informed Consent: Primary data collection often requires explicit permission from participants, particularly in sensitive topics.

9. Geographic Scope

• Local Studies: Face-to-face interviews, surveys, or observations may be feasible if the geographic area is small.
• International/Global Studies: Online methods or secondary data sources are often better suited for broad geographic research.

10. Availability of Secondary Data

• Rich Secondary Sources: If comprehensive, relevant, and reliable secondary data is available, this might reduce the need for expensive and time-consuming primary data collection.
• Lack of Secondary Data: In cases where specific information is unavailable, primary data collection becomes necessary.