Chapter No.

08

Using Secondary Data

Secondary data: data that have already been collected for some other purpose
Secondary data include both raw data and published summaries
Secondary data is useful in research which require national or international comparisons
Secondary data include both quantitative and qualitative data, and are used in both
descriptive and explanatory research
data you use may be raw data, (without processing), or compiled data (some sort of
selection or summarizing has been done)
Secondary data important in a variety of M&E tasks, e.g.
o Situation analysis
o Need assessment
o Baseline survey
o Target setting
o Impact assessment
o Case study
o archival research
Reliable and up-to-date data on various indicators are hard to come by
Dis-aggregated data not publicly available in most cases
Time-series data available only for the most macro indicators
Mostly reliance on anecdotal evidence or on unreliable sources

Types of secondary data

Documentary written and non-written (often used in research projects that also use primary data)
Surveys data collected using a survey strategy, usually by questionnaires

subtypes include: censuses, regular and ad hoc

Advantages

Fewer resource requirements

Longitudinal studies may be feasible
Provision of comparative and contextual data
Unforeseen discoveries may occur
Generally permanent and available

Disadvantages

Purpose of data collection may not match the research needs

Access may be difficult or costly
Aggregations and definitions may be unsuitable
No real control over data quality

Ensure that data sources

Enable the research question(s) to be answered

Enable research objectives to be met
Have greater benefits than their associated costs

Allow access for research

Evaluating potential secondary data sources

Overall suitability: points to consider

Precise suitability, including reliability and validity

- assessment of collection methods
- clear explanation of collection techniques
Measurement validity
Measurement bias and deliberate distortion
Coverage and unmeasured variables
- ensure exclusion of unwanted data
- ensure sufficient data remain for analysis
Costs and benefits

Finding the data - a two stage process

Establishing that the required secondary data are available

Locating the precise data required

Sources

References in publications (books, journal articles)

Within organizations (unpublished sources)
Tertiary literature ( indexes and catalogues in archives or online)