Primary Data and Secondary Data

1. Primary Data:

These are the data which are collected from some primary sources i.e., a source of origin where the data generate.

These are collected for the first time by an investigator or an agency for any statistical analysis.

“Data which are gathered originally for a certain purpose are known as primary data.” — Horace Secrist

Merits:

1. It has high degree of accuracy.

2. For some enquiries, secondary data is not available.

3. These are more reliable.

4. It needs no extra precautions.

Demerits:

1. It requires lot of time.

2. It needs much money.

3. These data can be obtained though skilled persons only.

4. Sometimes, these data are not available altogether.

2. Secondary data:

These are the data which are collected from some secondary source i.e. the source of reservation storage where the data is collected by one person and used by other agency. These are collected as primary data and used by other as secondary data.

“The data which are used in an investigation, but which have been gathered originally by someone else for some other purpose are known as secondary data.” — Blair

Merits:

1. It is easy to collect.

2. Time and money is saved.

3. Sometimes primary data cannot be obtained.

4. Some data are more reliable than primary.

Demerits:

1. These are not reliable as primary data.

2. Extra caution is needed to use these data.

3. All types of data are not available.

4. Purpose of original collection may have been different.