I know what primary and secondary data collections are, but why must secondary data collection be conducted early in a project and the primary data collection be done later in the project?
I have no idea. I always read primary sources first and then found secondary sources, some of which supported whatever angle I ended up taking.
I am not certain we agree on primary and secondary.
If raw data is collected by the researcher, it is primary.
If the raw data was collected by someone other than the author, it is secondary. For instance, using census data to evaluate teen pregnancy is secondary data.
Secondary data often evaluates several sources, and can summarize "findings". In some areas, it can point to valuable holes in data, and areas that need to be explored, once those are established, the search for primary data begins in earnest.
However, bias is bias, and you find it in primary sources and secondary sources, so I would not make a hard rule on which to focus on first.
The reason why secondary data collection is typically conducted early in a project, while primary data collection is done later, is due to the nature and availability of these two types of data.
Secondary data is data that has already been collected and exists in various sources, such as books, reports, databases, or on the internet. This data is readily available and can be accessed relatively easily. Conducting secondary data collection early in a project provides a foundation of existing knowledge and information about the topic at hand. It helps researchers gain a comprehensive understanding of the subject, identify research gaps, and determine the feasibility and relevance of potential research questions or hypotheses.
On the other hand, primary data is data that is collected directly from original sources through methods like surveys, interviews, experiments, or observations. Primary data collection requires more effort, time, and resources compared to secondary data collection. Therefore, it is often conducted in the later stages of a project, once the research objectives, hypotheses, or research questions have been established based on the insights gained from the secondary data.
By conducting secondary data collection early in a project, researchers can gather background knowledge, identify research gaps, and refine their research objectives. This helps in designing appropriate research methodologies and instruments for primary data collection. Additionally, secondary data can inform researchers about the availability and limitations of primary data sources, allowing them to develop a more targeted and efficient primary data collection strategy.
Overall, the sequential process of conducting secondary data collection first and primary data collection later ensures that researchers build a strong foundation of knowledge, identify relevant research objectives, and collect the most appropriate and valuable data for their project.