Secondary data analysis pertains to the evaluation of primary data gathered by other researchers. The data is easily accessible for academics to use for their research. Research based on secondary data analysis is cheap and saves the time and effort of the researchers. A researcher may have gathered the information for a specific study and then made it available for use by another researcher.
As in the case of the census report, the information may also have been gathered for general use without a specified study goal. Data that is categorised as secondary for one research may be primary for another. When data is reused, it becomes primary data for the initial research and secondary data for the subsequent research for which it is used. Students must know the sources of secondary data they can use for secondary data analysis. This article will tell you how students can work on data searching for secondary data analysis.
What Are The Different Sources Of Secondary Data?
Secondary data sources include books, individual sources, journals, magazines, websites, and government documents. Compared to primary data, secondary data is considered easier to find. Utilising these sources requires a relatively little study and labour. Secondary data sources are now easier to access thanks to the development of electronic media and the Internet. The following sections highlight a few of these sources:
Books
Students can search for secondary data by accessing the books in the library or online libraries for secondary data analysis. One of the oldest methods of data collection is through books. There are books available today on any subject you can imagine. To conduct research, all you need to do is search for a book on the subject and choose it from the library’s selection of resources. When carefully picked, books can be a reliable source of reliable information and help create a literature review. Selection of books sometime requires in-depth knowledge so hiring a dissertation writing service UK can be helpful for this purpose.
Published Data
For many study areas, a range of published sources is accessible. The author and publishing company significantly impact the veracity of the data derived from these sources. Depending on the situation, published sources might be either printed or digital. The sources can be accessible either by paying a fee or without any charges depending on the discretion of the author and publishing houses. Students can access data from published sources for secondary data analysis. Students can access numerous databases and online data repositories to get hold of secondary data.
Individual Sources
Individual sources encompass personal sources that include diaries, journals, and family histories. Contrary to published sources, this might not be widely accessible and readily available. They only become available if the researcher shares them with another researcher who is not permitted to share them with a third party. The individual data sources also include data compiled by some corporations and organisations that researchers can access by requesting the concerned personnel.
Journal Articles
Regarding data collecting nowadays, journals are quickly overtaking books in importance. It is so that they can provide up-to-date information since journals are frequently updated with new publications. Students can access the secondary data for secondary analysis from reputable journals. Journals are more specific than books. It is because journals cater to the specific issues and problems that are trending. Students can read the abstracts of the journal articles and assess their relevance to their current research.
Newspapers
Most of the time, the news reported in a newspaper is highly trustworthy. As a result, it ranks as one of the most reliable sources for gathering secondary data. Newspapers frequently provide ideological, socioeconomic, and instructional information rather than scientific. Newspapers might not be an ideal source for gathering scientific data. However, many research areas can gather preliminary information about an issue that has not yet been developed. Newspapers can reveal important information about an ongoing controversial issue, and the researcher can use the data for secondary data analysis.
Websites
Since most information posted on websites is unregulated, it may not be as reliable as information from other sources. On the other hand, some controlled websites exclusively share real information and may be relied upon by researchers. Most of these websites are typically run by governments or for-profit businesses that collect data.
Blog Pages
One of the most popular internet data sources is blogs, which may even be less reliable than websites. Nowadays, almost everyone has a blog, and many people use them to promote their websites or generate income from paid advertisements. As a result, they are not always reliable. For instance, a blogger may post positive reviews of a product even if they are untrue since they were compensated for doing so by the company.
Personal Diaries and Memoirs
Since they are private documents, researchers seldom use them to gather data. Additionally, diaries are typically private, except for the modern practice of sharing public diaries that describe certain life events. However, diaries and memoirs provide deep insights into an issue. For example, a government servant can record his or her experiences in a diary or a memoir that can reveal interesting information.
Official Records
A crucial and reliable source of secondary data is public records. Students can access government data from the official websites of the concerned governmental departments. Governmental data is a valuable source of secondary data for secondary data analysis. They contain data that researchers can use for research in the humanities, business, and disciplines such as sociology.
These documents include demographic data, medical histories, and records from educational institutions. They are typically gathered to help with effective planning, funding distribution, and policy making.
Podcasts and YouTube Videos
Podcasts and YouTube videos are becoming valuable sources of secondary data collection. Plenty of interviews and talk shows are available through podcasts and YouTube videos. Students can gather information from these sources and use it for secondary data analysis. These days, podcasts are progressively becoming popular, and many people use them to replace television. They are becoming more and more popular and providing valuable information. Typically, people provide useful knowledge during podcasts, and viewers can utilise it for information gathering.
Conclusion
Secondary data analysis is easier than primary data analysis. However, it is important to remember that the secondary data must align with the research goals and objectives of the study. Students can access secondary data through public libraries, and especially the Internet is a useful medium to access secondary data.
