When we are talking about secondary research, it is a more simple academic exercise that can be easily carried out if you know the tricks that are involved in putting together the ideas that will earn you high grades at the end of the exercise.
We shall be taking a look at the four very simple steps that you can take to achieve excellent results that you are going to be proud of.
Your research question(s)
The starting point as with all other research papers is to develop your research question. If you are at the undergraduate level; your supervisor will give you the research question to work on. If you are at the postgraduate level, you have to search for your research question.
Make sure you understand every word of the research if you are to make the best out of the situation. You must have a clear understanding of the topic before you begin work.
The secondary data
You are to start with what is already known about the subject and what is missing that you intend to include on the subject. Identify the nature of data that was previously collected on the topic. You do this by reviewing the literature on your topic of interest. The secondary data that you are going to use should be one that is relevant to your research question.
- Evaluate the secondary data
You are expected to evaluate the secondary data because of the shortcomings and the unpredictable nature of using such data. The use of secondary data that is not clinical will affect your work. If you want your work to be legit; then you have to take steps that will be of help in evaluating the weight of the data you are going to make use of.
- Prepare and analyze the secondary data
When you are evaluating the secondary data, there will be an opportunity to analyze the original report. This is a must if you are to detect the strengths and weaknesses in the secondary data. You are expected to prepare a secondary data set by analyzing all the variables that are involved.
When you have addressed the variables involved; the next step is to identify all the missing data by identifying and labeling them. It is expected that you create new variables of your own after you might have realized some missing links in the secondary research. The next step is to carry out an analysis of the data by using statistical analysis.
If your secondary data is qualitative, the process of analysis becomes slightly different. There might need to graft a questionnaire that will address all the issues involved in the analysis.
Final take
When you are faced with the task of carrying out effective secondary research; it is pretty easy. The tips above go to show that the exercise is pretty easy. When you follow the steps above; you are going to arrive at something concrete that will give legitimacy to your work.
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