Secondary Data Analysis

Question 1

What is secondary data?

Answer 1

Secondary data is data collected by others at an earlier point in time. This differs from primary data, which is data we collect ourselves.

Question 2

What are expert coded datasets?

Answer 2

Expert coded datasets are those which provide estimates and assessments of various measures. Usually, these are OPINION-BASED.

Question 3

What are researcher coded datasets? How do these differ from expert coded datasets?

Answer 3

Researcher coded datasets are those which are coded by teams of researchers using publicly available information. This includes news sources, academic articles, etc.
These differ as they are NOT OPINION BASED… THEY ARE FACTUAL.

Question 4

What is quantified text?

Answer 4

Quantified text is data that is quantified through coding in order to reflect certain themes or topics.

Question 5

What are data repositories?

Answer 5

Data repositories are datasets that are used in researchers’ own work, which are then uploaded to a repository for future use.

Question 6

What are the benefits of using secondary data?

Answer 6

• High quality, usually large scale
• Longer time scale, can measure phenomena over time
• Cost efficient - collecting data costly
• Valid and reliable

Question 7

What are disadvantages of using secondary data?

Answer 7

• Cannot make causal influences
• Use of secondary data that contains inaccuracies will replicate these in your own research
• Limitations on samples. These may not cover populations that you wish to research
• You cannot manipulate a treatment as a researcher when using secondary data