How does secondary research generally compare to primary research?

Secondary research is characterized by its reliance on existing data gathered by others, rather than collecting new data firsthand. This type of research involves analyzing and interpreting information that has already been published, such as reports, studies, articles, and other documents.

Using existing data allows researchers to save resources in terms of time and money, as they do not need to conduct surveys, interviews, or experiments to gather original information. Instead, they can leverage the findings and insights already available in the public domain or from other sources, making secondary research an efficient approach to understanding trends, market conditions, or historical events.

In contrast, primary research involves collecting new data that has not been previously gathered, usually through direct methods such as surveys or interviews. Hence, while secondary research is often more cost-effective and quicker to perform, it is built upon the foundation of work done by others. This differentiates it distinctly from the primary research method, which is more resource-intensive.