Define primary data and secondary data and explain the difference between them.

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Suresh Chand · Accepted Answer

Primary data is the data that is collected for the first time through personal experiences or evidence, particularly for research. It is also described as raw data or first-hand information. The mode of assembling the information is costly, as the analysis is done by an agency or an external organisation, and needs human resources and investment. The investigator supervises and controls the data collection process directly. Secondary data is a second-hand data that is already collected and recorded by some researchers for their purpose, and not for the current research problem. It is accessible in the form of data collected from different sources such as government publications, censuses, internal records of the organisation, books, journal articles, websites and reports, etc. Difference Between Primary Data and Seconday Data: Basis Primary Data Secondary Data Definition Primary data are those that are collected for the first time. Secondary data refer to those data that have already been collected by some other person. Originality These are original because these are collected by the investigator for the first time. These are not original because someone else has collected these for his own purpose. Nature of Data These are in the form of raw materials. These are in the finished form. Reliability and Suitability These are more reliable and suitable for the enquiry because these are collected for a particular purpose. These are less reliable and less suitable as someone else has collected the data which may not perfectly match our purpose. Time and Money Collecting primary data is quite expensive both in the terms of time and money. Secondary data requires less time and money; hence it is economical. Precaution and Editing No particular precaution or editing is required while using the primary data as these were collected with a definite purpose. Both precaution and editing are essential as secondary data were collected by someone else for his own purpose.

Define primary data and secondary data and explain the difference between them.

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Define primary data and secondary data and explain the difference between them.

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