Primary and secondary sources are ways in which data can be retrieved. As Serakan (2006) stated, “Primary data refer to information obtained by the researcher on the variables of interest for the specific purpose of the study”. Various evidence suggesting to what methods of primary research can be conducted and which are most effective for the previously mentioned problem description are stated in this chapter.
In the article ‘Data Collection: Primary Research Methods’, Christ (2009) wrote that, the responsibility for collecting data under primary research falls to the marketer. Marketers can select two basic approaches to collect data using primary methods:
• Qualitative Data Collection
• Quantitative Data Collection
Qualitative Data
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Generally this process can take up to a few days of observation to identify and tabulate the findings. Drawbacks of this method, can include the Hawthorne effect, extended periods of time and the need to be physically present at the location.
Participant observer: The researcher enters the organization or research setting and becomes a part of the team work. This can be done by joining the organization as an employee and observing the dynamics while working for the organization.
Shown in the table is a comparison of the pros and cons of observational studies.
Advantages Disadvantages
Data received through observation of events are generally more reliable and free from respondent bias Long period of time is required because the observer must be physically present
Easier to note environmental influences on specific outcomes. Slow method of collecting data but also tedious and expensive
Easier to observe certain groups of individuals rather than using other methods to obtain information from the same individuals Long periods of subject observation could result in bias data
High reliability factor, because information is retrieved firsthand The Thought process of individuals cannot be captured.
Cost is significantly low in Non-participant observations The observer must be trained in un-biased observation skills and how to effectively identify critical factors Quantitative Data Collection
This data collection method is
Per Schmuck, (1997) “Observation methods are useful to researchers in a variety of ways. They provide researchers with the means to check for nonverbal expression of feelings, determine who interacts with whom, grasp how participants communicate with each other and check for how much time spent on various activities.”" Nevertheless, the Apple and Samsung needed to re-brand their great iconic name with unleashing of store coupons of $200.00 as experiment new customers. The
allows for participants that are more willing to adhere to the study, and therefore may impact the
4. The key methods of collecting primary data (1.1). Justify the choice and application of data collection methods and research instruments to explore an area under investigation (2.3). Evaluate their relative strengths and weaknesses (2.4)
Secondary research methods include analyzing and gathering existing literature on the researchers topic. Secondary research methods can be challenging because the existing literature might not address the researchers questions directly and it might not be current or valid. An advantage to secondary research methods is that it is quick and low cost. The data needed to analyze has already been collected and ready to use. Secondary research methods also might only work for specific topics where the data is cannot be collected ie. Government data.
The strategy of secondary analysis was chosen for this research because it is cheap and timely in comparison to other forms of research. Using data collected by other reliable sources increases the validity of secondary data analysis research.
Naturalistic observational research is important because it allows researchers to observe people in a natural habitat without any variable manipulation. Most importantly in naturalistic observation, the researcher does not interfere with the situation in any way. Naturalistic observation can be structured or unstructured; for this study, unstructured naturalistic observation was mostly used. There were pre-determined characteristics that the researchers wrote down on a spreadsheet, however, specific behaviors were recorded as they happened (i.e., the type of reaction that resulted from each person who picked up the card). Naturalistic observation is important in psychological research because it gives insight into the natural behaviors of people. When a person is unaware they are being observed it reduces change in behavior, which can occur when if they are aware that they are being observed.
| -The observer may be biased-There is no control over variables, so it makes it difficult to draw conclusions (Brain, C, 2000).-Requires high level of participation which can cost a lot and take up a lot of time-People might change their behaviour if they know that they are being observed-Researcher might miss something while they are watching and taking notes (University of Surrey, 2014).
“Primary research delivers more specific results than secondary research, which is an especially important consideration when you're launching a new product or service” (SFGate, 2012, para 3). This type of research is used to find answers to a predetermined problem using “statistical methodologies that involve sampling as little as 1 percent of a target market” (SFGate, 2012, para 3). The main downside of primary market research over that of secondary is that is expensive to conduct.
can be explained in terms of Psychology. That makes me believe that the study is not easy at all.
However with advantages come disadvantages. For example, with correlational studies there is no background information obtained. Therefore, the reliability of the correlational studies is questioned.
Primary research. This has to be gathered first and to answer certain questions that are related to the project; therefore it is more time consuming and expensive. Primary research is considered to be a reliable source of information as it is coming directly from consumers.
Participant Observation – The advantages are realism and natural behaviour, thus greater validity, new directions for research, and qualitative data. Conversely, there may be observer bias and effects, lack of quantitative data, difficulty in replicating or generalising, time consuming, and may raise ethical issues (Haralambos, et al., 2002).
In general, observations are in fact a relatively cheap method of data collection to carry out, and the researcher needs few resources. However, what they are is very time consuming for the researcher.
Participant observation, “can be dangerous, emotionally and physically draining and quite simply very hard work” (Inderbitzin, Bates, Gainey, 2016, p. 95). When utilizing this type of research method, there are many advantages and disadvantages that do exist. For example, researcher Patricia Adler conducted a classic study of high levels of drug dealing and smuggling. She wasn’t a drug dealer herself; however, she later revealed that she had used marijuana and cocaine. The advantages to the study was the validity she gained. Adler experienced firsthand the deviant behavior which allowed her to learn the language, customs, and
As a result of sampling diverse circumstances, investigators decrease the chance that their outcomes will be uncharacteristic to a definite set of settings or situations. For instance, animals do not behave the same way in zoos as they do in the wild or, it seems, in different places. A shared look between a mother and a child happens in monkeys as it does in people, but in one study of monkeys the consistency of this behavior varied between animals observed in the United States and in Japan (Bard et al., 2005). In the same way, we can assume human behavior to be different across various backgrounds.