ABSTRACT
This chapter begins by defining secondary analysis and listing the main types of sources of secondary data. The role played by secondary analysis in postgraduate research is then discussed. The advantages and disadvantages of secondary analysis vis a vis primary research are outlined, and the considerations which should influence the choice of whether or not to use secondary data are summarized. A number of considerations will influence one's choice of whether or not to rely upon secondary analysis. They are described in the following paragraphs. Secondary analysis also permits comparative research, and even cross-national studies although the difficulties of these are formidable and ‘cross-national research is the last place for the inexperienced secondary analyst to begin his/her career’. Many secondary data sets are of high quality, having been produced by experts in the arts of questionnaire design and fieldwork.
