Explain data collection methods in research? Primary data and secondary data?

INTRODUCTION:

Data collection is a term used to describe a process of preparing and collecting data. Systematic gathering
of data for a particular purpose from various sources, that has been systematically observed, recorded,
organized. Data are the basic inputs to any decision making process in business. The purpose of data
collection is to obtain information to keep on record to make decisions about important issues, to pass
information on to others.

Primary Data:

“Primary data refer to the information obtained first-hand by the researcher on the variables of
interest for the specific purpose of the study.”

Nature of Primary Data

Primary data is original research data in its raw form, without any analysis or processing. This data
provides a wealth of information for researchers. Depending on the nature of a study, the primary data may
be provided along with reports and analysis so readers can look at it directly, or it may be kept confidential.
Access to this data can be very valuable for people who want to learn more about study  methodology,
anomalies that occurred during studies, and other topics.

Interview:

An interview is a conversation between two or more people where questions are asked by the
interviewer to elicit facts or statements from the interviewee. Interviews are a standard part of journalism
and media reporting, but are also employed in many other situations, including qualitative research.

Types of Interview

 Personal Interview
 Telephone Interview
 Mailing Interview

Secondary Data:

Secondary data is information that has been collected for a purpose other than your current
research project but has some relevance and utility for your research.

Sources of Secondary Data

You can break the sources of secondary data into internal sources and external sources. 
 Internal sources includes data that exists and is stored inside your organization. 
 External data is data that is collected by other people or organizations from your organization's external
environment.
Let's dig a little deeper into each of these general categories. Examples of internal sources of data include,
but are certainly not limited to, the following:
  Profit and loss statements
 Balance sheets
 Sales figures
 Inventory records
 Previous marketing research studies

If the secondary data you have collected from internal sources will not be sufficient, you can turn to external
sources of data. Some external sources include:

 Government sources, such as the U.S. Census Bureau

 Corporate filings, such as annual reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
 Trade, business and professional associations
 Media, including broadcast, print and Internet
 Universities
 Foundations
 Think tanks, such as the Rand Corporation or Brookings Institute
 Commercial data services, which are businesses that find the data for you.