Secondary Data Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Secondary Data - Assignment Example h this comprises the integrity of the data to some extent since it is not gathered directly from the source (Christensen, Johnson & Turner, 2010); some studies require data that cannot be gathered directly or it can be unethical to expose participants directly to research conditions (Frankfort-Nachmias & Nachmias, 2008). Data that is gathered in such indirect ways is called secondary data; and when used appropriately, it can provide valuable information about the population (Frankfort-Nachmias & Nachmias, 2008). An example of a study using Secondary Data would be one that attempted to evaluate the changes in the manner and extent to which depression was reported over a decade at a campus clinic that caters to the students of a university. A study like this would want to study the number of cases reported; the symptoms described; and the treatment suggested and chosen as well as the number of cases that reported recovery and the time taken to achieve this recovery. The data required for this study is historical data that is available from the case files available at the clinic. The participants in this study would be the persons who were diagnosed with Depression; and it would be unethical to remind them of their illness – particularly since it can raise painful memories especially for participants who had to struggle with the illness for a long time (Frankfort-Nachmias & Nachmias, 2008). Also, participants who were diagnosed many years back may not remember the symptoms well; or the details of the treatment they took, and may not be able to provide details. These details can be taken from the case files; and will provide a more accurate representation; although using the case files limits the scope of the research to the details available (Christensen, Johnson & Turner, 2010). If the participant provided inaccurate information, this cannot be evaluated; nor can it provide information about people who did not approach the clinic but were depressed nevertheless.