Secondary data analysis

“Secondary analysis is the re-analysis of either qualitative or quantitative data already collected in a previous study, by a different researcher normally wishing to address a new research question” (Payne and Payne 2004:214). Heaton (2004) suggests that “these data include material such as semi-structured interviews, responses to open-ended questions in questionnaires, field notes and research diaries.” (1)

There are a number of advantages to using secondary data, Punch (2005) argues that “cost (for many survey researchers, there is little chance of obtaining funding to carry out large-scale data collection), time (the researcher can begin analysis soon, rather than investing large amounts of time in data collection), quality (an existing data bank is likely to have higher-quality data than the lone, inexperienced researcher can hope to obtain)…” (103). Despite these advantages, there are numerous disadvantages Kumar (2011) suggest that “the validity of information may vary markedly from source to source…”, Kumar goes on to argue that there is a huge amount of personal bias within the “…information from personal diaries, newspapers and magazines may have the problem of personal bias…” (164). The work of C. Wright Mills (1959) can be applied to the disadvantages of using secondary data as it requires the use of the “sociological imagination”. This is the theory that there are specific reasons behind the data; however, the researcher using the data cannot retrieve these reasons, especially if the data has a historical context. Another major disadvantage of secondary data analysis is the ethical concern of obtaining participant consent, although the participants will have given their consent in the original study. However, the participants may not have given their consent for their information to be used in other studies.

 

Reference list

 

Heaton, J. (2004) Reworking Qualitative Data London: SAGE Publications Ltd.

Kumar, R. (2011) Research Methodology A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners [3^rd Ed.] London: SAGE Publications Ltd.

Payne, G. Payne, J. (2004) Key Concepts in Social Research London: SAGE Publications Ltd.

Punch, K. (2005) Introduction to Social Research Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches [2^nd Ed.] London: SAGE Publications Ltd.