Final answer:
Primary research is data collected firsthand by the researcher, while secondary research analyzes pre-existing data gathered by others. Sociologists and other researchers use both types, with secondary research offering the advantage of not influencing subject behavior.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of research that is collected by the person or persons completing the analysis is known as primary research. This type of research may include fieldwork, experiments, interviews, or surveys done firsthand by the researcher to collect new data. On the other hand, secondary research involves analyzing data that has already been collected by someone else. Examples of secondary research include studying historical documents, analyzing data collected by agencies, or examining previously published scientific studies.
For example, a sociologist might conduct primary research by performing an interview or an ethno-graphic field study. Alternatively, the same sociologist could engage in secondary data analysis by examining existing studies and utilizing the completed work of other researchers. This can involve searching through periodicals, newspapers, or analyzing organizational data. Secondary data analysis is often advantageous as it is a form of nonreactive research that doesn't influence behavior since the data has already been collected.