Secondary Research

Method Overview

Secondary research is in essence collecting data that already exists. It is already published, cheapest form of research. There is internal and external secondary research. Internal secondary research is information to which an organization has exclusive access to (university reports, etc.), while external secondary research is information collected or published by a third party.

Procedure

1. Identify sources of information
2. Gather existing data
3. Normalize data if needed
   • Making data from different sources comparable if necessary and feasible
4. Analyze data

Data Collection Tools:

1. MetaLib database (allows you to search multiple databases simultaneously)
2. Google Scholar (Provides a search of scholarly literature across many disciplines and sources, including theses, books, abstracts and articles)
3. Google Books (Provides online access to a variety of books)
4. Other databases and resources (including government publications and statistics)

Advantages

• High speed
• Low cost
• Easy to access
• Value

Disadvantages

• Secondary data can be general and vague (General vs Customized)
• The information and data might not be accurate (always check the source)
• The data may be out of date (availability of current data)
• The sample used to generate the data might be small
• Compatibility

Recommended Usage

• Read and analyze end-year reports of other student experience research advisory committees in other universities to see what bias in surveys were examined and other issues
• Read the actual surveys/other primary research data of other universities
• Access and analyze surveys conducted by and reports of the Undergraduate Office and the Commerce Undergraduate Society
• Any secondary sources should be examined on their validity, research quality, and representativeness to Sauder student population

Sources