What distinguishes primary research from secondary research?

Primary research is characterized by the direct collection of data from original sources. This means that researchers gather information firsthand through methods such as surveys, interviews, experiments, and observations. This process allows for tailored inquiries specific to the research question, yielding new and unique data that has not been previously analyzed or published.

The emphasis on collecting data directly from sources is a fundamental aspect of what sets primary research apart from secondary research, which involves analyzing data that has already been collected and published by others. In secondary research, researchers rely on existing information, such as books, articles, and reports, which can be less specific to their research needs.

While primary research can often be more time-consuming and expensive due to the requirement for new data collection, the distinction lies in the method of data collection itself, making the option about collecting data directly from sources the correct answer in defining primary research.