6/6 Primary vs. Secondary
Primary research is not research that is collected from a book at the library; instead, it is research that has been found first handed. This research is often based on the scientific method, for people have to find their own facts and analysis'. It's a great way to get realistic research without any biases! There are three common ways to conduct this research - by observing, conducting interviews, or surveys.
Secondary research, on the other hand, often analyzes primary research. They are not as directly related to the event. Instead, they may just talk about or analyze events that were originally conceived by primary research.
Examples of Primary Research: an original diary, an interview, an artifact or original document.
Examples of Secondary Research: a textbook, a newspaper article, a library book.
In my current WRA project, I plan on using both primary and secondary research. I will be interviewing subjects (primary) to find first hand and unbiased, realistic information on my topic. Then, I will be researching websites for reliable data (secondary) to help prove my findings in the interview or to compare my subjects first-hand experiences with national data to make my article interesting!
3 Potential Primary Research Topics:
What is the most popular type of car in your neighborhood?
One could study this by observation, just observing what types of cars their neighbors drive.
How long do doctors go to school for?
One could use an interview for this and interview a few doctors to see how long they went to school and to gather information about the process along with their experiences.
How many people fill up their gas at least 1 time a week?
One could make a survey with options on how many times a week someone fills up their car and have people fill it out to figure how many people fill it at least once a week.
Secondary research, on the other hand, often analyzes primary research. They are not as directly related to the event. Instead, they may just talk about or analyze events that were originally conceived by primary research.
Examples of Primary Research: an original diary, an interview, an artifact or original document.
Examples of Secondary Research: a textbook, a newspaper article, a library book.
In my current WRA project, I plan on using both primary and secondary research. I will be interviewing subjects (primary) to find first hand and unbiased, realistic information on my topic. Then, I will be researching websites for reliable data (secondary) to help prove my findings in the interview or to compare my subjects first-hand experiences with national data to make my article interesting!
3 Potential Primary Research Topics:
What is the most popular type of car in your neighborhood?
One could study this by observation, just observing what types of cars their neighbors drive.
How long do doctors go to school for?
One could use an interview for this and interview a few doctors to see how long they went to school and to gather information about the process along with their experiences.
How many people fill up their gas at least 1 time a week?
One could make a survey with options on how many times a week someone fills up their car and have people fill it out to figure how many people fill it at least once a week.
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