Why Would the Researcher's Questionnaire Produce Primary Data?

A researcher's questionnaire would produce primary data because it fulfills two key criteria:

1. Data Collection for Specific Research Purpose: The questionnaire is designed specifically to address the research question at hand. This means the questions are formulated to directly gather information relevant to the investigation, rather than relying on pre-existing data collected for a different purpose.

2. First-Hand Data from Participants: The data collected through the questionnaire comes directly from the participants' responses. This makes the data "first-hand" and original to the study. The researcher is not relying on interpretations or summaries of information gathered by others.

Limitations of Primary Data: Time and Cost Implications

While valuable, primary data, like that gathered from a questionnaire, comes with limitations. A significant drawback is the time and effort required. Developing a robust questionnaire involves careful planning, question construction, piloting, and refinement. Distributing and collecting the questionnaires also takes time, particularly if a large sample size is desired.

Furthermore, primary data collection can be costly compared to using readily available secondary data. The costs associated with printing questionnaires, providing incentives for participation, and potentially analyzing large datasets can be substantial, especially for resource-limited research projects.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a researcher's questionnaire generates primary data because it gathers information tailored to a specific research question directly from participants. However, researchers must weigh the advantages of primary data against the limitations of time and cost implications when deciding on their data collection methods.