Professional in Human Resources (PHR) Practice Exam

Secondary research is characterized by the use of data that has already been collected and reported by others. This type of research involves analyzing existing information from various sources, such as academic journals, industry reports, government publications, and other secondary data sources. The advantage of secondary research is that it allows researchers to leverage previously gathered data to derive insights without the need for primary data collection, which can be time-consuming and costly.

This approach is essential when the goal is to understand trends, gain background knowledge, or provide context for a particular topic. Secondary research can support primary research efforts by providing foundational information or validating findings with data previously recorded.

Other types of research, such as primary research, involve gathering original data directly from sources, which differs significantly from the approach taken in secondary research. Exploratory research seeks to investigate new areas where little information exists, often involving primary data gathering to uncover insights. Descriptive research aims to provide a detailed account of a phenomenon but can include both primary and secondary data, making secondary research a distinct category focused explicitly on utilizing existing data.