Quantitative Methods
Data Sources
Primary Vs. Secondary Data
The Data Source has the information on the variables that you are interested in.
There are two types of data that can be used for quantitative research, Primary Data and Secondary Data.
Primary Data is information that is collected in a survey you conduct your self. To learn more about questionnaire construction click here (Marilyn's site).
Secondary Data is information that someone else has already collected information for other researcher to use.
- "Occupational Segregation," Amanda Baumle
Which one is better?
Both types of data are perfectly reasonable to use but there are advantages and disadvantages to both.
Primary data
Advantage
- Collecting your own data means you have full autonomy over the questions that are asked and the variables that you can have access to
Disadvantage
- Time Consuming
- May have a smaller sample size that would have with a secondary data source
Once you have identified a study population and a data source, its time to select your sample.
