Page 118 - DLIS401_METHODOLOGY_OF_RESEARCH_AND_STATISTICAL_TECHNIQUES

Unit 7: Data Analysis and Interpretation

the research process. Primary data is the data that the researcher is collecting themselves using Notes
methods such as surveys,direct observations, interviews, as well as logs(objective data sources).
Primary data is a reliable way to collect data because the researcher will know where it came
from and how it was collected and analyzed since they did it themselves. Secondary sources
on the other hand are sources that are based upon the data that was collected from the
primary source. Secondary sources take the role of analyzing, explaining, and combining the
information from the primary source with additional information.
Secondary data analysis is commonly known as second-hand analysis. It is simply the analysis
of preexisting data in a different way or to answer a different question than originally intended.
Secondary data analysis utilizes the data that was collected by someone else in order to further
a study that you are interested in completing.

Notes In contrast to secondary data, primary data comes from observations made by the
researchers themselves. This often creates credibility issues that do not arise with
secondary data.

Self Assessment

Multiple Choice Questions:
1. The purpose of ........................ is to obtain usable and useful information.
(a) Qualitative data (b) Analysing data
(c) Collecting data (d) Organising data.

2. ........................ is subjective, rich and in-depth information normally presented in the
form of words.
(a) Continuous data (b) Quantitative data
(c) Qualitative data (d) Discrete data.
3. A ........................ is that statistical techniques are only applicable for Quantitative data.
(a) misconception (b) Second misconception

(c) Third misconception (d) Fourth misconception.
4. There are ........................ different types of sources that need to be established in order
to conduct a good analysis.
(a) One (b) Two
(c) Three (d) Four.
5. ........................ can be easily done with the advancements of searching sources online.
(a) Evaluating the data (b) Verifying the data

(c) Locating the data (d) Collecting data.

7.2 Summary

• Standard writing style, that is, the use of sentences and paragraphs, is often the best way
to present information, especially to audiences that are not accustomed to working with
charts, graphs, tables, numbers, etc.

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