Primary Data - GCSE Sociology Definition

Primary data is information that is collected first-hand by someone for a specific purpose or study. In sociology, primary data is gathered directly by researchers through methods like surveys, interviews, or observations. This means that the data is new and original, unlike secondary data, which is collected from existing sources. Primary data is important because it provides up-to-date and specific information that helps sociologists understand people's behaviours, opinions, or experiences in a particular context. Collecting primary data can be time-consuming and sometimes expensive, but it allows researchers to tailor their questions to get exactly the information they need.