Data Collection - Primary and Secondary Data

Primary Data: Unprocessed information collected first-hand

Examples of Primary Data:

• Questionnaires and surveys (raw)
• Observing land uses, collecting house prices
• Data tables, tally sheets
• Photographs / Sketches

Advantages

• Original
• Method of collection is known and therefore trustworthy
• Owned by the investigator - therefore no possible copyright issues
• The data can be focused on a specific investigation

Disadvantages

• May be inaccurate or unreliable
• Often incomparable to other similar data sets

Secondary Data: Information derived from documentary sources

Examples of Secondary Data:

• Satellite imagery
• Historical/Geological/OS/GOAD maps
• Website cencus data
• Newspaper articles

Advantages

• May give extra relevant details unattainable through primary data
• Can be more reliable for larger data sets
• Can provide data collected historically

Disadvantages

• Information may be out-dated
• If being used in an investigation, the source is needed for referencing purposes
• The information could be inaccurate or unreliable and it could contain bias