secondary data

Definition |


Data that has previously been collected (primary data) that is utilized by a person other than the one who collected the data. Secondary data is often used in social and economic analysis, especially when access to primary data is unavailable. For example, a survey of a group of economists (primary data) cannot be repeated, so its results are used in subsequent research projects. Or, data collected by the Department of Labor (primary data) that is used in economic analysis.

Use secondary data in a sentence

We had a lot of secondary data that we needed to go through and see if we could use it for the benefit of ourselves.


The secondary data analysis proved to be effective in isolating variables that would have never been considered by the primary analysis.


Our analysis of the secondary data only served to back up our original hypothesis, and we felt more confident than ever in presenting our findings.


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secondary credit rate secondary distribution