Discover Everything About Dissertation Secondary Research Here

Secondary research is pretty easy when compared to primary research. We shall show you all that you need to know about this aspect of research writing. To begin with; secondary research means interpreting; reviewing and re-analyzing past data. The target is to connect the past data with the realities of the present moment.

Advantages Of This Research

The cost of this research method is lower when compared to secondary research. This is in favor of undergraduate students because the cost of the research does not come with the burden of a high cost. Another advantage lies in the fact that it is a time-saving method. You will not require time to access the data.  

Another advantage of this research method lies in the fact that you are not going to have large data but limited data to play around with.

What Are The Disadvantages?

The first disadvantage lies in the fact that your secondary data might not be appropriate for the purposes of your research. The format might present another problem because it might be different from the one that you have in mind. Your research question is expected to be answered in an ideal way; the questions gotten through the secondary data might not answer the needed questions in an ideal manner.

There is also a lack of control over the quality of the data presented for review. There is also the danger of the original research not providing enough information on how they conducted their research.

Types Of Data Involved

It will not be out of place to let us know the types of data that are involved here. We have the qualitative and quantitative types of sets and you can use any of the two in conducting your research. Quantitative research is much more common than qualitative research. 

What Are The Sources Of Secondary Data

We have two sources of secondary data; the internal and the external sources of data. 

Steps Involved In Secondary Research

The following are the four main steps that are involved in secondary research:

You Must Develop The Research Question: This form of research begins like any other by first formulating the research question(s). Find a topic that is of interest to you and go on to identify the gap in the literature. This will then be used to formulate the research question.

The Secondary Data Set: Next, try as much to make sure that the secondary data set is an excellent fit for your research question.

Evaluate The Secondary Data Set: Due to the disadvantages outlined above in secondary data; it is mandatory to evaluate your secondary data with the aim of getting the desired best results at the end of the exercise.

Analyze And Prepare Secondary Data: You are going to take the step of outlining all the variables. Address the issues of missing data and go on to record all the variables. New variables have to be created and in the final analysis; it is expected that you analyze the data and decide on the most suitable analysis technique. 

Final Take

The above represents all that is required to make the very best out of secondary research techniques.

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