Secondary data is primarily sourced from:

Question

Secondary data is primarily sourced from:

1. A. Original research studies
2. B. Publicly available databases (Correct answer)
3. C. Personal interviews
4. D. Laboratory experiments

Correct Answer

Option B — Publicly available databases

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Publicly available databases.

Key Points

• Secondary data is data that has already been collected and published by others — sourced from publicly available databases, published reports, journals, government records, etc.

Additional Information

• Primary data is collected first-hand for the study in question; secondary data already exists, gathered by someone else for another purpose.
• Common secondary sources: Census of India, NSSO surveys, RBI and Economic Survey publications, journals and departmental records.
• Secondary data is cheaper and faster but may not match the study's definitions, period or coverage — so it must be checked for reliability, suitability and adequacy before use.
• Published sources are those released for general use; unpublished ones are internal records made available on request.