The success of any dissertation paper largely depends on choosing the correct research design.
Before you can decide whether you must base your research strategy on primary or secondary research, it is essential to understand the difference between primary and secondary resources.
Primary Research
Primary research involves an exhaustive analysis of data to answer specific and exploratory research questions.
Common Methods Include:
- Interviews
- research surveys,
- Numerical data
- Observations
- Audio, video, and images
Businesses often conduct primary research to address problems. On the other hand, undergraduate and postgraduate students conduct primary research as part of their dissertation projects to fill a noticeable research gap in their respective fields of study.
Example of Primary Research
If you want to survey your school to find out how many students are interested in cricket or football, then you are actually doing primary research. It is because the data for research comes directly from your own efforts, as you ask students to participate.
Sampling in Primary Research
When conducting primary research, it is vitally important to pay attention to the chosen sampling method, which can be described as “a specific principle used to select members of the population to participate in the research”.
Steps in Sampling:
- Identify the target population.
- Select an appropriate sampling frame.
- Determine sample size.
- Choosing a sampling method.
- Apply the selected technique.
Often, the researcher may not be able to directly work with the target population due to its large size; therefore, it becomes indispensable to employ statistical sampling techniques, where the researchers have no choice but to draw conclusions based on responses collected from a representative sample of the population.
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Nonverbal cues and gestures also play an essential role in primary research.
| Reasons to Use Primary Research (Advantages) | Reasons Not to Use Primary Research (Disadvantages) |
|---|---|
| Directly collected, authentic, and reliable data. | High costs (students often face budget issues). |
| Customisation based on the researcher’s needs. | Extremely time-consuming. |
| Allows detailed, comprehensive analysis. | Requires multiple data collection methods for credibility. |
| The researcher controls data collection and usage. | Participants may refuse to share information. |
| Recognised as credible in academic and scientific communities. | Ethical responsibilities, including confidentiality. |
Secondary Research
Secondary research or desk-based research is the second type of research you could base your research methodology on in a dissertation. This type of research reviews and analyses existing research studies to improve the overall authenticity of the research.
Sources Include:
- Journal articles
- Published reports
- Libraries and books
- Internet data
- Government publications
- Past primary research studies
It is cost-effective and less time-consuming because it utilises existing literature and doesn’t require the researcher to spend time and financial resources collecting firsthand data, making it a popular option.
Example of Secondary Research
If you want to research climate change, review and analyse articles where scientists discuss rising global temperatures. In this way, you are actually using existing information instead of collecting new data yourself through a survey.
Steps for Conducting Secondary Research
- Define research topics and questions/hypotheses.
- Identify authentic, reliable sources.
- Gather data from books, articles, reports, and publications.
- Organise data in a usable format.
- Analyse data to solve the research problem.
| Reasons to Use Secondary Research | Reasons Not to Use Secondary Research |
|---|---|
| Easy access to data. | Difficult to find authentic, credible data. |
| Less time-consuming. | Risk of outdated or inaccurate numbers. |
| Cost-effective. | Dependent on the quality of the primary data used. |
Primary vs Secondary Sources in Research
For conducting any type of research, you have to gather evidence from different kinds of sources. The following are the two types of sources which you can use for research purposes.
- Primary source
- Secondary sources
What are Primary Sources?
According to UCL libraries, primary sources are articles, images, or documents that provide direct evidence or first-hand testimony about any given research topic.
Primary sources enable us to gain insight into those events, recognising their analysis and interpretation within scientific and academic communities.
Examples of Primary Sources:
- Original documents prepared by the researcher.
- Reporters witnessing and reporting an event.
- Conducting surveys to collect data, such as primary elections and population censuses.
- Interviews, speeches, letters, and diaries.
- Audio, video, and image files capture an event.
What are Secondary Sources?
However, when the researcher wishes to analyse and understand information arising from events or actions that have already occurred, their work is regarded as a secondary source.
In essence, no secondary source can be created without using primary sources. The same information source or evidence can be considered either primary or secondary, depending on who presents the information and where it is presented.
Examples of Secondary Sources:
- Documentaries
- Articles, publications, journals, and research papers created by others.
- Dissertations, theses, and essays.
- Critical reviews.
- Books presented as evidence.
Should You Use Primary or Secondary Research?
Both primary and secondary research have their own advantages and disadvantages. The best way to select the correct research strategy for your dissertation is to look into your research topic, research questions, aim and objectives – and of course, the available time and financial resources.
- Primary research is best suited for specific cases where the researcher has access to resources.
- Secondary research: best for researching the general topics, which can be answered by analysing existing literature.
The right choice depends on your topic, objectives, timeframe, and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Primary research is more reliable and trustworthy because it involves collecting data directly through surveys, which ensures accuracy and relevance.
Yes, sometimes secondary research can be outdated, depending on our sources. For this, it is advisable to use sources that are neither outdated nor fully updated.
Yes, Businesses often use both types to gain a comprehensive view of the matter and to understand customer feedback better.
