What is the difference between primary research and secondary research and how does it affect any study?

Research and Development is considered as the most important part of any activity, being either a part of a project or in general as a part of the organization. Research helps a person understand the viability of a hypothesis generated and tries and proves the probability of the hypothesis being true. There are two major categories of research methods, Primary and Secondary on which most of the research is based on. Both of these methods provide information that specifically answers research questions. 

Primary Research: Concept of Primary Research is based on the fundamentals of firsthand experience of a situation and deducing a hypothesis based on it. Primary Research is carried out often when there is a specific question that needs to be answered and an in-depth exploration of the situation is required. Data for primary research is collected by a researcher for a specific purpose at hand and requires great knowledge for the kind of outcome required to post the study. It contains data that are both quantitative and qualitative in nature and its analysis and makes use of real-time information. This type of research is generally time-consuming as it involves first- hand gathering of information and requires budget unlike the secondary method of research. Interviews, Focused Group Discussions, Surveys and Observation are few techniques of Primary Research.

Secondary Research: On the other hand, a Secondary Research, also known as desk research is when an individual uses the findings of completed studies and applies the result to one’s own situation as an interpretation to the former. Secondary Research is easier to conduct and is generally obtained from public sources and is a cost-effective method of conducting research. It is the preparatory phase for primary research and acts as a foundation for the steps to follow. However, it is not always possible that the researcher looking out for a specific question would gain concrete answers for the same and the information may be limited.