9609 · 3.2.2
Primary research and secondary research — FAQ
Frequently asked questions for 9609 Primary research and secondary research. Direct answers first, then deeper explanation — then practise with marking.
Is the internet a primary or secondary research source?
The internet is a medium, not a source type. It can be used for both. Conducting an online survey using a tool like SurveyMonkey is primary research. Reading a government statistics report or a competitor's webpage online is secondary research. The key distinction is whether you are gathering new data or accessing existing data.
If a business has a small budget, does that mean it can only do secondary research?
Not necessarily. While large-scale primary research is expensive, smaller-scale methods can be cost-effective. For example, a small café could conduct short face-to-face interviews with its existing customers (a convenience sample) or create a simple online survey using free tools. The choice depends on balancing the budget with the specific information needed.
Is data from a government report always reliable?
While generally more reliable than many commercial sources, it is not automatically perfect for every business purpose. You must still critically evaluate its age (currency) and whether the scope of the data (e.g., national average) is relevant to the business's specific market (e.g., a local region). Always question the relevance of secondary data.