ABSTRACT
Secondary data methods create data by applying further analysis to existing data, often involving a novel perspective or understanding of the data. The data generated depends on the nature of the primary data. The data added by secondary analysis is shaped by the purpose of conducting that analysis, so the requirement for a thoughtful and viable research question remains paramount throughout this process. Secondary data creation depends a great deal on the availability of primary data, which may be patchy in terms of both quantity and quality. The difference between the purposes of primary and secondary analysis also affects the depth of the secondary analysis. Secondary data analysis is not always easy to combine with other analyses and triangulate. The purposes for doing secondary analysis often reflect a lack of primary data, and it may well be that secondary analysis is the only option. The results of the secondary analysis may still be comparable with other analyses.
