Primary research involves collecting original data through methods like questionnaires, interviews, and observation rather than relying on existing published sources. It is often conducted after initial secondary research to gain insights that inform the primary research. Secondary research analyzes and combines existing studies, while quantitative research produces statistics and facts through structured data collection. Qualitative research aims to understand the why through analyzing unstructured information to glean the significance of observations.

1. By Lani Baldwin

2. Definition
Experiments, investigations, or tests carried out to acquire data first-hand, rather
than being gathered from published sources.
Primary research consists of research collected to show original data. It is often
used after the researcher has gained some insight into the issue by collecting
secondary data. This can be through numerous forms, including questionnaires,
direct observation and telephone interviews and several others.
Primary Research

3. Definition
Examining or reading about someone else's findings/research.
Secondary research involves the summary, organisation and/or combination of
existing research rather than primary research, where data is collected for
research subjects or experiments.
Secondary Research

4. Definition
The testing/findings of a person feelings or opinions to determine amounts and
proportions.
Quantitative research is doing research in a structured form so that you can
produce detailed facts and statistics.
Quantitative Research

5. Dictionary Definition
Data-gathering techniques that are focussed on the significance of observations
made in a study, rather than the numbers, facts or statistics themselves.
Qualitative research seeks out the ‘why’ of a topic, through the analysis of
unstructured information.
Qualitative Research