What is the difference between primary and secondary research?
Many organizations spend a lot of money on massing knowledge through research for profit and wealth maximization. Research can either be primary or secondary.
The lesson provides a detailed insight into the difference between primary and secondary research with a comparison table.
What Is Primary Research?
Primary research is the process of gathering information for the first time. The gathering is done by the researcher and its data is in the form of crude form.
The collection of primary data during research takes a lot of time and the entire process is relatively expensive. The research can be done in the form of interviews, questionnaires, observations, etc.
What Is Secondary Research?
Secondary research refers to the analysis, interpretation, and organization of raw data collected during primary research. The information tends to be redefined and useful.
Collection of information during secondary research is done by someone else and it may or may not be specific to the needs of the researcher.
Comparison Chart: Primary Research Vs Secondary Research
| Basic Terms | Primary Research | Secondary Research |
| Meaning | Conducted to collect first-hand information | Conducted to collect second-hand information |
| Sources | Interviews, questionnaires, observations, etc. | Publications, books, journals, etc |
| Based on | Raw data | Analyzed and interpreted information |
| Done by | Researcher | Someone else |
| Data | Specific to the researcher | May or may not be specific of the researcher |
| Process | Too involving | Rapid and easy to gather |
| Cost | Too expensive | Relatively low |
| Time | Long | Short |
Core Differences between Primary and Secondary Research
- Primary research obtain first-hand information whereas secondary research obtain second-hand information
- Primary research takes a lot of time to gather data whereas secondary research takes a short time
- The process of gathering information in primary research is to involving whereas secondary research is rapid and easy
- The cost of collecting data in primary research is too expensive whereas secondary research is relatively affordable
- Primary research is done by the researcher while secondary research by someone else
- Primary research is based on raw data whereas secondary research on redefined data
- Primary research is meant to answer the specific needs of the research while secondary research may or may not answers researcher problems.
- Primary research is done through interviews, questionnaires, and observations whereas secondary research is done through reading publications, journals, and books.
Comparison Video
Summary
The core difference between primary and secondary research is that primary research provides first-hand information whereas secondary research provides second-hand information.