5 External secondary data

For almost any type of research project it will be necessary to collect data from external secondary sources. External data is data that is generated by sources outside of your chosen organisation. This type of published information will be immensely helpful to you when you are gathering data and evidence for your project. For example, utilising statistics and reports from external sources may help you to analyse the financial implications and potential economic risks of the organisational changes you wish to implement.

External secondary data can originate from a variety of sources, such as commercial organisations, government agencies and industry associations, and take the form of annual reports, laws and policies and trade publications, for example.