Primary sources are considered those closest to the individual conducting the research such as information, period or the idea that is being studied.
- Academia
- Secondary sources
There are also secondary sources in research. These resources tend to build on the primary resource by citing or commenting on it. The two terms are relative to the person conducting the research.
- Data collection
Given that this question is more about data collection for research and how primary sources are a part of that, we should spend some time talking about data. Data collection from a primary source standpoint is research conducted by the writer or the researcher creating the study.
In other words, if you are doing a chemistry experiment, then during that experiment you are recording the data you find. This data is the primary source for your research. This is then followed up by secondary research. The secondary research is other people's work.
In other words, if you are doing a chemistry experiment, then during that experiment you are recording the data you find. This data is the primary source for your research. This is then followed up by secondary research. The secondary research is other people's work.
For instance, a chemist that tried the same experiment two years ago and wrote about it will provide a secondary source of information for your data collection. Note that you are still the primary source even if this other source was written prior to your studies. This is because it is based on how close the information is to you.
Data collection is usually what you do during the research stage. Consider a research paper. You have a methodology that helps you conduct the experiment. During the experiment you collect data. This is used as your primary source for the study.
Data collection is usually what you do during the research stage. Consider a research paper. You have a methodology that helps you conduct the experiment. During the experiment you collect data. This is used as your primary source for the study.
