The primary difference between primary data and secondary data is that primary data is collected first-hand by the researcher for a specific purpose, whereas secondary data is already collected by others for a different purpose. Primary data is generated only after the researcher designs the study and begins collecting information specifically for that investigation. Secondary data is obtained from existing sources where the information was recorded before the current study and for objectives unrelated to it. For example, conducting a survey is primary data, while using census reports is secondary data.
| Basis of Difference | Primary Data | Secondary Data |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Difference | Primary data is collected directly by the researcher. | Secondary data is collected by someone else. |
| Purpose | Collected for a specific research objective. | Collected for a different purpose. |
| Source | Original source such as surveys or experiments. | Published sources like reports and databases. |
| Cost | More expensive to collect. | Less expensive and often free. |
| Time | Time-consuming to collect. | Quick and easy to obtain. |
| Accuracy and Relevance | Highly relevant and current. | May be outdated or less relevant. |
| Control | Researcher has full control over data collection. | Researcher has no control over data collection. |
| Examples | Questionnaires, interviews, observations. | Census data, journals, government publications. |