Secondary Research: an introduction
What is Secondary Research
Secondary research is sometimes known as desk-based research. The authors of these sources have collected, analysed, and summarised their research and provided a summary of their findings.
When you read books, articles, and other published materials these are examples of secondary research.
In other words, the authors have conducted primary research and synthesized their results and published the work in a subject-relevant publication, like a journal for example.
There are two main types of secondary research: qualitative and quantitative. This type of research relies on sources that have already been created by others, such as books, articles, reports, and data sets.
Qualitative secondary research deals with non-numeric information, such as textual content, while quantitative secondary research deals with numerical data, statistics, and measurable outcomes.
Researchers often turn to secondary research to gain insights, support their arguments, or explore a specific topic without conducting new experiments or surveys.
The information obtained through secondary research can offer a broader perspective, and is an essential aspect of the research process, involving the analysis and interpretation of existing data and information rather than collecting new data directly from original sources.
Unlike primary research, which involves gathering firsthand data, secondary research focuses on examining and synthesizing data that someone else has already collected.
The sources of secondary research are diverse and can include academic publications, government reports, market studies, and historical documents.
How to find Secondary Research
To find secondary research in your subject area involves a systematic approach to locating and extracting information from existing sources.
By following these steps, you can locate and evaluate secondary research sources.
Remember to stay organized by keeping track of the sources you explore, taking notes, and citing them properly for your own research project.
Here are four steps to guide you through the process:
Step 1. Define Your Research Topic:
clearly define the topic or question you are investigating.
identify relevant keywords and phrases related to your topic.
be specific to narrow down the scope and make your search more focused.
Step 2. Use Library and Catalogue:
use the keywords identified in the first step to conduct searches and explore scholarly articles, books, reports, and other academic publications related to your topic.
use the university library to access to physical books and journals on your subject.
use databases like JSTOR, PubMed, Google Scholar, and your university library's online catalogue.
Step 3. Evaluate Sources for Credibility:
evaluate the credibility of the materials you find.
look for information published in peer-reviewed journals, reputable books, and reports from authoritative institutions.
verify that the sources are reliable and unbiased.
Step 4. Explore Citations and Bibliographies:
review the citations and bibliography from the relevant sources you have identified.
Scholars often cite previous research that influenced their work, creating a network of interconnected studies. Follow this network to discover a broader range of perspectives and deepen your understanding of the subject.
Examples of Secondary Research
The vast variety of secondary sources available to students both online and in physical formats make compiling this type of research easier than ever.
Secondary sources are materials that interpret, analyze, or discuss primary sources. They provide context, analysis, and commentary on primary sources.
Here are some examples of secondary sources:
Textbooks: historical analyses, literary critiques, biographies and autobiographies, commentaries on scientific theories
Journal Articles: review articles summarizing existing research, critiques or analyses of research studies, literature reviews
Review Articles: literature reviews in academic journals, summaries and critiques of existing research, meta-analyses aggregating data from multiple studies
The key distinction between primary and secondary sources lies in their purpose. Secondary sources analyze and interpret primary sources, offering insights and perspectives on the information found in primary materials.
When to use Secondary Research
Using secondary research is a useful way to start many types of assignments at university.
Understanding the types of research and outcomes that have been published on your subject of interest will help you to build your knowledge and allow you to identify opportunities for developing your own original research.
Use secondary research when you need an overview of a subject, what research has already been published, identify gaps in the subject to pursue your own original research.
Using secondary research is a cost and time efficient way to gather information. Especially in situations where primary research is not possible due to time and budget limitations.
Here are some situations when you should consider using secondary research for:
Understanding Existing Knowledge: to build a foundational understanding of a topic.
Literature Reviews: conducting academic or scholarly research, a literature review involves analyzing existing secondary sources to identify gaps, patterns, or trends in the research field.
Market Research: explore existing reports, industry analyses, and market studies to understand consumer behavior, market trends, and competitors.
Scientific Research: review existing studies and research articles to inform the work.
Social Science Research: examine existing theories, studies, and analyses within their respective disciplines.
Benefits of using Secondary Research
As a student, leveraging secondary research offers several benefits that can enhance your academic experience and research capabilities:
Broad Understanding: published secondary research provides a wealth of information and allows you to gain a broad understanding of a topic before delving into more specific areas.
Literature Reviews: secondary research is the foundation for literature reviews, helping you identify key studies, theories, and concepts related to your research topic.
Research Gaps: through secondary research, you can identify gaps in existing literature, can help you write your research questions.
Critical Thinking: analyzing and synthesizing information from secondary sources cultivates critical thinking skills, developing your ability to evaluate the credibility of sources and interpret findings in the context of your research.
Primary Research: before conducting primary research, secondary sources can provide an understand the existing material published on a subject.
Assignment Requirements: many academic assignments require students to engage with scholarly literature.
Drawbacks of using Secondary Research
While secondary research offers various advantages, it's essential to be aware of potential drawbacks as well.
Here are some drawbacks of relying solely on secondary research as a student:
Limited Originality: depending solely on existing sources may limit the originality of your work.
Potential for Outdated Information: some secondary sources may become outdated, especially in rapidly evolving fields.
Quality and Credibility Concerns: assessing the quality and credibility of secondary sources is crucial as not all sources are equally reliable.
Inability to Address Specific Research Questions: secondary research may not provide answers to highly specific or niche research questions. Primary research is often required for in-depth exploration of specialized topics.
Difficulty in Verifying Data Accuracy: without direct access to the original data, you must rely on the interpretation and reporting of others.
Risk of Plagiarism: to avoid unintentional plagiarism when relying heavily on secondary sources. Proper citation and paraphrasing are essential to maintain academic integrity.
Summary
Secondary research is an important research tool for students, researchers, and scholars to broaden their understanding of a subject, to build on existing knowledge in the field and conduct original research.
As an integral part of the research process, secondary research complements primary research, by providing a foundation to develop a comprehensive and nuanced view of the subject matter.
By carefully selecting and analyzing secondary sources, researchers can generate meaningful insights, contribute to academic discourse, and make informed decisions based on existing knowledge.
