Primary Data
What is Primary Data?
Primary data is information that is collected by researchers directly from main sources through surveys, interviews, experiments, and observations. This data is original and collected by the researcher to answer a specific research question. It has not been previously published and is usually specific to a particular study.
Primary Data Collection Methods
There are a number of different primary data collection methods that researchers can use to collect data for their studies. Some of the most common methods include:
Primary Data Types
There are four primary data types in research:
- Numerical
- Categorical
- Ordinal
- Interval
Numerical Data
Numerical data is data that can be quantified, such as age or height.
Categorical Data
Categorical data is data that can be divided into groups, such as gender or eye color.
Ordinal Data
Ordinal data is data that can be ordered from least to greatest, such as survey responses on a scale of 1-5.
Interval Data
Interval data is data that has equal intervals between values, such as temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.
Researchers often use more than one type of primary data in their studies. For example, a study on the relationship between age and income might use both numerical and interval data. By using multiple types of primary data, researchers can get a more well-rounded view of the topic they are studying.
When to use Primary Data
There are a few key times when primary data should be used in research.
- When the topic is new and there is little to no secondary data available on it, primary data must be collected.
- When the researcher wants to get detailed information about a specific target market or group, primary research is needed in order to collect this information.
- If the researcher wants to collect first-hand accounts or experiences about a certain product or service, conducting primary research is the best way to gather this type of data.
Advantages of Primary Data
There are many advantages of primary data.
- Primary data is more accurate and up-to-date than secondary data. This is because primary data is collected directly from the source, rather than being gathered from secondhand sources
- It is also more specific to the research question being asked.
- It takes less time to collect and analyze
- It can be collected in a variety of ways, including surveys, interviews, focus groups, and observations.
Disadvantages of Primary Data
There are a few disadvantages of collecting primary data.
- It can be costly and time-consuming to gather. This is especially true if you need to collect data from a large number of people.
- There is always the possibility that the data you collect is not accurate. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as people lying or simply forgetting what they did.
- It can be biased, either by the person collecting the data or by the people who provide it.
