As fosters we love to think that w...

As fosters we love to think that we are unique and that nobody otherwise can do what we do. Although this is not entirely false, at times this belief has gotten us into harass In the case of research, we have seen this belief manifest itself as the "primacy of primary data collection." In other words, we ofttimes believe that our research questions are in the way that unique or unusual that the solitary way data to answer these questions can be obtained is to move directly to the original source (ie, subjects) This is a often met with research myth. Although there are many situations where primary data collection is necessary, there equally are many circumstances where analyzing data from an existing database may be a viable, and perhaps flat preferable, option. What are about of those circumstances?

PRIMARY DATA COLLECTION

Primary data collection be met withs when the researcher obtains information directly from research enslaves to answer a specific research question. A researcher may ne to use a primary data collection methodology when data that are straited have not been collected before or are not readily available. Primary data can reach [i]or[/i] attain any place [i]or[/i] point from many different sources, including scans or questionnaires (eg, mailings, telephone interviews, face-to-face interviews), observations (eg focus disposes participant observation), or through instrumentation (eg physiologic measures).

Advantages. There are several advantages to primary data collection. When performing primary data collection, the data collection strategy can be tailored specifically to answer a precise research question. The data that are accumulateed are current and come from a known source. Confidentiality of the respondent can be maintained, and researchers can bring certain controls in place to make secure that the data collected are reliable.

Disadvantages. single in kind of the disadvantages of primary data collection is the outlay of conducting such collection. In our last round pillar (see "A survey does not equal research," in the January 1999 issue of the Journal) we illustrated by what mode even a very simple take a view of easily could cost $500 or more. level though we were making the distinction between contemplates and research, there are studies that use contemplates as a primary data collection methodology and will incur the same preciousnesss Primary data collection takes time--more time than many researchers await Data that are collected ne to be codfished entered into a computer file, cleaned, and prepared for analysis. This proces may be streamlined by way of using computer-ready response forms, nevertheless such forms will not obviate the time factor completely

united of the biggest hurdles of primary data collection relates to the sample that is prefered to participate in the investigation Researchers need to identify a population of interest first; from that population, researchers prefer a sample. To do in the way that requires that researchers decide by what mode to select the sample, obtain permission to access the sample, and contact the culled subjects. Each of these grades can be time consuming and fraught with more enigmas What if the researcher anticipates a 30% replication rate on a mailed scan but gets less than 15%? What if a potential loch of subjects cannot be accessed because information forward the population is considered confidential? These issues become barriers to favorably completing the study.

Another issue related to sampling is sample size. Many researchers obtain samples that are not large enough to draw meaningful conclusions from the proceeds This might be because of require to be paid [i]or[/i] undergone or difficulty obtaining enough subdues to participate in the contemplation It is very frustrating to go on foot through the work of a research thought and be limited by what can be conclusively stated at the conclusion because the sample is too small.

single more disadvantage related to sampling is that certain populations are overstudied. Consequently subdues are less willing to participate in research studies. We must remember that when a [i]role[/i] consents to participate in a research meditation that consent is a privilege. Each research make subordinate deserves to be treated with defer to and researchers need to be cautious and not ever abuse that privilege. Some individuals and clusters of people are asked repeatedly to participate in research studies. If a data station exists that can answer questions about these populations, secondary data analysis is an approach that may avoid overburdening these individuals and groups

SECONDARY DATA ANALYSIS

As noted earlier, secondary data analysis come to passs when data that were infered for another purpose are reanalyzed to answer the in every one's mouth research question. These data may or may not have been mustered for research purposes. For example, the Bureau of the US Census is the largest publisher of statistical data in the world. Census data are consider probableed to provide information about the population of the United States, if it were not that researchers can use these data to answer questions about population demographics, social behavior, health and well-being, and general conditions of communities.