Primary data

Information collected first-hand by a researcher for their own investigation.

First-hand information collected directly from participants by researchers specifically for their investigation.

Primary data is first-hand information that researchers collect directly from participants specifically for their investigation. A researcher might run an experiment, ask participants to complete a questionnaire, conduct interviews or observe behaviour.

New information collected first-hand by a researcher for their own research aim.

Primary data is not automatically better quality. Link any strength or limitation to how the data was collected or how well it suits the investigation.

Link strengths and weaknesses to the research described. Numerical data is not automatically reliable, and primary data is not automatically better than secondary data.

Avoid claiming that primary data is always valid or that numerical data is automatically unbiased. The quality of the collection procedure still matters.

Information collected first-hand by a researcher for the purpose of their investigation.

Primary data is information collected first-hand by a researcher for their investigation. It includes their own experiment results, questionnaire responses, interviews and observation records.

Definition

How each exam board covers it

AQA GCSE Psychology · 8182

Exam tips

Get more free notes every week

OCR GCSE Psychology · J203