Primary and secondary data

Overview

Data collected first-hand against data drawn from existing sources, what a meta-analysis combines, and what weakens its conclusions.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1. 1

   What is primary data?

   Model answer

   Information collected directly by the researcher for the specific purpose of their current investigation.

2. 2

   Define secondary data in psychological research.

   Model answer

   Information that was collected by someone else for a different purpose and is then used by the researcher in their own investigation.

3. 3

   What advantage does collecting primary data give researchers regarding the research process?

   Model answer

   It gives the researcher control over the design, variables, and procedures used to gather the information.

4. 4

   If a researcher wants complete control over how variables are operationalised, should they use primary or secondary data? Explain why.

   Model answer

   Primary data, because collecting it themselves allows them to control the design, variables, and procedures.

5. 5

   Why does using secondary data limit a researcher's control?

   Model answer

   Because the data has already been collected, so the researcher has no control over how it was gathered or what variables were measured.

6. 6

   Explain why a researcher using census data cannot change what information is available to them.

   Model answer

   Census data is secondary data collected by others for a different purpose, so the researcher has no control over what variables were measured or how data was gathered.

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