Collection of Data
In data handling, information is collected and classified into two main types: Primary Data and Secondary Data.
Primary Data
🔹 Definition: Data collected first-hand by the researcher for a specific purpose.
🔹 Source: Directly from surveys, experiments, observations, or interviews.
🔹 Characteristics: Original and fresh data.
Collected for a specific study or analysis.
More accurate but time-consuming to gather.
🔹 Examples: A teacher conducting a survey on students' favorite subjects.
A company collecting customer feedback through questionnaires.
A scientist recording temperature readings for an experiment.
Secondary Data
🔹 Definition: Data that has already been collected by someone else for a different purpose. 🔹 Source: Books, newspapers, government reports, websites, and research papers. 🔹 Characteristics: Pre-collected and available for reference.
Saves time and effort but may not be specific to the researcher's needs.
May not always be completely accurate or up-to-date.
🔹 Examples: Census data collected by the government.
Weather reports from a meteorological department.
Statistical data published in textbooks or research journals.
In other words, Primary Data is first-hand, original data collected for a specific purpose. Secondary Data is pre-existing information gathered from published sources.
Key Differences:
| Feature | Primary Data | Secondary Data |
|---|---|---|
| Collected by: | Researcher themselves | Someone else |
| Purpose: | Specific for current study | Collected for different purposes |
| Accuracy: | Generally more accurate | May contain errors or outdated info |
| Time & Cost: | Takes more time & effort | Quick and cost-effective |
| Examples: | Survey, experiment, interviews | Government reports, books, articles |