Question

State the difference between primary and secondary data.

Answer 1

Primary data	Secondaiy data
1. Primary data are collected for the first time and hence original.	1. Secondary data are not original but it is the collected data reused by others
2. Primary data are collected on the units under inquiry.	2. Secondary data are obtained from the primary data.
3. Primary data are original and hence the nature of primary data is quite extensive. Usually such data are in raw form. Hence, they are required to be classified and tabulated.	3. Secondary data may be in organised and tabulated form, i.e., they are usually in classified form.
4. Since primary data are independently collected, large amount of resources, manpower and monetary cost are involved for their collection.	4. Secondary data are cost effective in terms of time, energy and money.