Defining Primary Research
Primary research involves original data collection or research. Research that you collect yourself is considered primary research. Primary research is often used to supplement data from secondary sources. Primary research is usually divided into two types:
- Quantitative
- Qualitative
Quantitative research focuses on objective measurements and statistical or numerical analysis of data. Some quantitative research methods include:
- Polls
- Questionnaires
- Surveys.
Qualitative research examines language (rather than numbers) and emphasizes the participants' interpretations and understandings of their social world. It often focuses on "why" or "how" questions of human behavior. Methods include
- Interviews
- Ethnography and participant observation
- Discourse analysis.
See the resources below for additional information about primary research.
- Sage Research Methods This link opens in a new window
This link opens in a new window
Sage Research Methods is the ultimate methods library with more than 1000 books, reference works, journal articles, and instructional videos by world-leading academics from across the social sciences, including the largest collection of qualitative methods books available online from any scholarly publisher. The site is designed to guide users to the content they need to learn a little or a lot about their method. The Methods Map can help those less familiar with research methods to find the best technique to use in their research. Built upon Sage’s legacy of methods publishing, Sage Research Methods is the essential online tool for researchers.Full text of book, journal, and reference content to aid as students research design methodologies, understand and select methods, conduct research, and write findings.
Includes tools such as:
- Project Planner: find step-by-step guidance to complete your research project
- Which Stats Test: answer questions to see which statistical method is best for your data
- Introduction to Primary Research Methods: Observations, Surveys, and InterviewsA chapter from Writing Spaces: Readings on Writing, Volume 2, a
peer-reviewed open textbook series for the writing classroom. - How to Analyze Data in a Primary Research StudyA chapter from Writing Spaces: Readings on Writing, Volume 4, a
peer-reviewed open textbook series for the writing classroom.
The Steps of Primary Research
Primary Research often follows these steps:
- Develop a research question
- Decide on a research method
- Collect data
- Analyze data
- Report findings.
Understanding Types of Primary Research
For more information about quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods (combination of both quantitative and qualitative research), watch this video.