Final answer:
Informant interviews typically yield direct data as they involve gathering firsthand information from people with personal knowledge or experience related to the subject of the research.
Step-by-step explanation:
Informant interviews are a method of data collection where participants provide information based on their personal experiences, knowledge, or observations. This type of data collection typically yields direct data, as the information gathered is obtained firsthand and directly ties to the subject of the research. Informant interviews are considered a form of primary research as they involve directly collecting data for oneself, such as through in-depth interviews, focus groups, or the analysis of content sources.
These interviews can provide both quantitative data, which includes numerical or measurable information such as demographics, and qualitative data, which includes in-depth insights into people's behaviors, motivations, and attitudes. For example, interviews with professionals who have credible information about the research subject or individuals deeply familiar with certain aspects of their culture can offer valuable primary data for anthropological research or other fields.
Therefore, when considering whether informant interviews will yield direct data or secondary data, the answer is 1) Direct data. Secondary data refers to information that has been previously collected by someone else and is reused by the researcher, such as books, articles, or published interviews conducted by journalists.