Coastal Services Center

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Secondary Data Analysis

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What Is Secondary Data Analysis?

Use of data that was collected by individuals other than the investigator. This includes newspapers, census data, maps, etc. Secondary data analysis is often a starting point for other social science research methods.

MPA Application

Oftentimes, information and data MPA managers need in order to make an informed decision has already been collected. A manager may want to find out particular aspects of the changing human environment in order to identify and manage areas of concern. Secondary data analysis including census reports, government reports, scientific papers, aerial maps, business and industry reports, on-line Web sites, and other secondary data can assist in developing conclusions that will help in decision making.

Expertise Needed

This technique can usually be conducted with in-house expertise. Some assistance may be needed in locating data sources and analyzing complex data sets.

Advantages

• Captures comprehensive and historical information
• Uses existing information
• Web-based materials and search engines are readily available

Limitations

• Information may be incomplete, obsolete, inconclusive, or inaccurate
• Data limited to what already exists

Case Studies

Additional Resources

Sources and Uses of Secondary Data
This reference site from Glasgow Caledonian University highlights some types of sources and uses for secondary data research.