Final answer:
Secondary analysis is a research method where previously collected and existing data from other researchers or organizations is analyzed anew. This approach is cost-effective and can add depth to studies, but requires careful consideration of data validity and accuracy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term secondary analysis refers specifically to analyzing existing data that has been collected by another person or organization. This means that the researcher is not collecting new, primary data, but rather interpreting an already existing dataset. This method allows sociologists, for instance, to re-examine data from various sources such as works by historians, economists, or past research studies, potentially providing new insights into social phenomena.
Employing secondary data analysis offers several strengths, including being a cost-effective approach, as it saves time and money otherwise spent on gathering new data. Additionally, it can lend a greater depth to the research by allowing for the exploration of large swaths of information produced in past studies.
However, researchers must also be cautious of the validity and accuracy of the secondary data. It is crucial to assess sources thoroughly, which sometimes involves content analysis—a systematic approach to recording and valuing information from secondary data as it relates to the research at hand.