TOPI C EI GHT:

SECONDARY DATA
Research Methodology
In this chapter
I. Introduction
II. Categorization and applications
III. Secondary data search
IV. Issues with secondary data
V. Secondary data evaluation
I. Introduction
Secondary data: data collected during prior studies.
Including raw data and published summaries.
Can combine with primary data for research purposes.
Available throughout various mediums.



II. Categorization and applications
Documentarywritten and non-written

Surveyssubtypes include: censuses, regular, ad hoc
Overview of secondary data

Multiple-source secondary data
Documentary , survey, or an amalgam of both

Times series (longitudinal studies)

Cohort studies

Area-based data sets

III. Secondary data search
References in publications (books, journal articles).
Within organisations (unpublished sources).
Tertiary source online indexes and catalogues.
References in published guides (Table 8.1).
Data held by organisations and entities.
The Internet (Table 8.2).

IV. Issues with secondary data
Advantages
Fewer resource requirements
Unobtrusive
Longitudinal studies may be feasible
Provision of comparative and contextual data
Unforeseen discoveries may occur
Generally permanent and available

IV. Issues with secondary data
Disadvantages
Purpose of research may not match the research needs
Access may be difficult or costly
Aggregations and definitions may be unsuitable
No real control over data quality
Initial purpose may affect data presentation
V. Secondary data evaluation
Data resource must:

Enable the research question(s) to be answered

Enable research objectives to be met

Have greater benefits than their associated costs

Allow access for research

V. Secondary data evaluation
Overall suitability
Precise suitability, including reliability and validity
- assessment of collection methods
- clear explanation of collection techniques
Measurement validity
Measurement bias and deliberate distortion
Coverage and unmeasured variables
- ensure exclusion of unwanted data
- ensure sufficient data remain for analysis
Costs and benefits

V. Secondary data evaluation

Response rates & actual sample size required
Actual sample size required:
n: minimum (adjusted minimum) sample size
re%: estimated response rate
With 95% confidence interval and 5% margin of error

Approaches to gaining access
Overcoming organisational concerns

Identifying possible organisational benefits

Appropriate forms of communication

Incremental access

Establishing researcher credibility
Factors in sample size selection
Confidence needed in the data

Margin of error that can be tolerated

Types of analyses to be undertaken

Size of the sample population and distribution

Response rate
Non- respondents and analysis of refusals

Obtaining a representative sample

Calculating the active response rate

Estimating response rate and sample size
Technique for probability sampling
Simple random

Systematic

Stratified random

Cluster

Multi-stage
III. Non-probability sampling
Deciding on a suitable sample size

Selecting the appropriate technique

Non-probability sampling techniques
Quota sampling (larger populations)
Purposive sampling
Snowball sampling
Self-selection sampling
Convenience sampling