Summary
We're all familiar with the standard justification for secondary research - it's a process to contextualise what's already known to plan more focused (primary) research studies. Among research practitioners and non-researchers, secondary research is rarely thought of as a method in itself - and rather a supplementary phase of work before the real investigation begins. In this talk, we hope to convince fellow researchers that secondary research can be more powerful and impactful than just offering a foundational starting point. With the right "research infrastructure‚" secondary research can allow us to step back, triangulate and evaluate not only a larger corpus of data but also consider data from different sources and teams to make better-informed decisions. We share how we evolved our secondary research processes to do more efficient research and help our teams make more informed decisions.
Key Insights
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Secondary research can uncover valuable insights that inform strategies without the need for new data collection.
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Engaging with existing data is ethical, respecting users' time and efforts.
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Collaboration across teams enhances the effectiveness of secondary research.
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Establishing a repository for existing research can streamline data access.
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Stakeholder misconceptions about the rigor of secondary research can be countered by presenting relevant work.
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Time saved in data collection allows for deeper analysis and more impactful insights.
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Secondary research should be positioned as a strategic asset, not just a precursor to primary data collection.
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Addressing the access and collaboration challenges requires building strong relationships with stakeholders and teams.
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Using existing knowledge helps identify true knowledge gaps and elevate the quality of primary research.
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Implementing a systematic approach to secondary research can serve as a foundation for best practices within organizations.
Notable Quotes
"Secondary research is a way to respect your target populations time and efforts."
"Using secondary research to build a foundation of understanding is both strategic and ethical."
"We should be ethically obligated to leverage secondary research to answer as many questions as possible."
"It was one of the most impactful research pieces I've produced in my career."
"Stakeholder misconceptions about secondary research often undermine its value."
"Secondary research can help reduce the burden associated with recruitment."
"The perception that secondary research is a mere precursor to primary data collection is a common misconception."
"Effective collaboration is essential to unlock the full potential of secondary research."
"A central repository for data can greatly enhance access and collaboration."
"Secondary research should be seen as real research, not just an afterthought."
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