What is the difference between primary and secondary data?

The distinction between primary and secondary data is fundamental in data analysis and research methodology. Primary data refers to information gathered directly from original sources through methods such as surveys, experiments, or observations. This type of data is specific to the researcher's study and aligns closely with their objectives, providing the most relevant and direct insights.

On the other hand, secondary data is information that has already been collected, processed, or published by others. This data is accessed from existing resources such as books, articles, reports, or databases. Secondary data may complement primary data but is inherently different since it was not collected for the specific research question at hand.

The understanding of these definitions underscores the importance of recognizing the source and context of the data being used, as it can significantly impact the analysis and conclusions drawn from it.