Conducting Primary Research

When published sources cant give you the information that you need, consider conducting a primary research. However, first weigh its advantages and disadvantages. Upside of Primary Research It produces information precisely tailored to your research needs. It gives you direct, hands-on access to your topic.

Downside of Primary Research It can take much time and many resources to complete. It can require special skills, such as designing surveys and analyzing statistics.

Carry out primary research.

You need to choose the method of primary research that best suits your project. For help, review the following descriptions: 1. Surveys and questionnaires gather written responses you can review, tabulate, and analyze. These research tools pull together varied information--from simple facts to personal opinions and attitudes. 2. Interviews involve consulting two types of people. First, you can interview experts for their insights on your topic. Second, you can interview people whose direct experiences with the topic give you their personal insights. 3. Observations, inspections, and field research require you to examine and analyze people, places, events, etc. Whether you rely simply on your five senses or use scientific techniques, observing provides insights into the present state of your subject. 4. Experiments test hypotheses--predictions about why things do what they do--so as to arrive at conclusions that can be accepted and acted upon. Such testing often explores cause/effect relationships. 5. Analysis of documents and artifacts involves studying original reports, statistics, legislation, literature, artwork, and historical records. Such analysis often provides unique insights into your topic.