Secondary research is a research method that uses data that was collected by someone else. In other words, whenever you conduct research using data that already exists, you are conducting secondary research. On the other hand, any type of research that you undertake yourself is called primary research.
Example: Secondary researchYou are interested in how the number and quality of vegan options offered at your campus dining hall have changed over time. You have a friend who graduated a few years ago who was also interested in this topic. You borrow her survey results and use them to conduct statistical analysis.
Secondary research can be qualitative or quantitative in nature. It often uses data gathered from published peer-reviewed papers, meta-analyses, or government or private sector databases and datasets.
Tip: Primary vs secondary sourcesIt can be easy to get confused about the difference between primary and secondary sources in your research. The key is to remember that primary sources provide firsthand information and evidence, while secondary sources provide secondhand information and commentary from previous works.
Primary research is a research method that relies on direct data collection, rather than relying on data that’s already been collected by someone else. In other words, primary research is any type of research that you undertake yourself, firsthand, while using data that has already been collected is called secondary research.
Example: Primary researchYou are interested in the quality of vegan options offered at your campus dining hall. You decide to conduct a survey of vegan students, asking them their thoughts.
Primary research is often used in qualitative research, particularly in survey methodology, questionnaires, focus groups, and various types of interviews. While quantitative primary research does exist, it’s not as common.
Tip: Primary vs secondary sourcesIt can be easy to get confused about the difference between primary and secondary sources in your research. The key is to remember that primary sources provide firsthand information and evidence, while secondary sources provide secondhand information and commentary from previous works.
Published on
7 January 2023
by
Tegan George.
Revised on
17 November 2023.
Root cause analysis is a problem-solving approach that uses the analogy of roots and blooms to model cause-and-effect relationships. Rather than focusing on what’s above the surface, root cause analysis troubleshoots solutions to problems by analysing what is causing them.
NoteSimilarly to exploratory research, it’s important to remember that root cause analysis does not provide solutions to problems. Rather, it’s one method within a larger problem-solving landscape.
Just like roots diverge below the surface of a plant, root cause analysis allows us to see the many potential causes of a problem lying below the surface. Rather than focusing on singular explanations for problems, the analogy of roots branching out can show us a problem’s many potential causes, helping us move forward in strategising potential solutions.
Root cause analysis is a form of quality management, often used in organisational management, quality control, and in healthcare fields like nursing. Root cause analysis can be a helpful study tool for students, too, when used for brainstorming or memorisation exercises.
Published on
2 January 2023
by
Tegan George.
Revised on
31 January 2024.
A fishbone diagram is a problem-solving approach that uses a fish-shaped diagram to model possible root causes of problems and troubleshoot possible solutions. It is also called an Ishikawa diagram, after its creator, Kaoru Ishikawa, as well as a herringbone diagram or cause-and-effect diagram.
Fishbone diagrams are often used in root cause analysis, to troubleshoot issues in quality management or product development. They are also used in the fields of nursing and healthcare, or as a brainstorming and mind-mapping technique many students find helpful.
Affective (pronounced [af-ek-tiv]) describes something that influences or causes feelings or emotions. It can also describe how these emotions are expressed.
Effective (pronounced [if-ek-tiv]) instead signifies that something is having an effect (especially the effect that was hoped for).
Examples: ‘Affective’ in a sentence
Examples: ‘Effective’ in a sentence
Her affective disorder made it difficult for her to work a standard job.
Cognitive bias can be suggested by several affective symptoms.
You’re fired, effective immediately.
The new study methods proved effective for the at-risk students.
TipThe best approach is to bear in mind that effective is a much more commonly used word than affective. If the sentence doesn’t immediately relate to feelings or emotions, the correct word is effective.
The distinction made here is the same as that between the related words affect and effect –where, again, affect (as a noun) is much rarer than effect.
All right and alright are two spellings of the same term, an adjective, adverb, or interjection meaning the same thing as ‘okay’.
All right (with a space) is the form usually used in published writing.
Alright is a very common spelling in everyday communication, but it’s not always considered correct by dictionaries (though it is included in Merriam-Webster and the OED). It’s uncommon in published writing.
Examples: All right or alright in a sentenceThankfully, Rhonda is doing all right after her cataracts surgery.
It’s the flu all right!
College is going alright so far.
NoteRegardless of how you spell it, all right/alright is considered too informal to use in academic writing. Use a more formal term like ‘adequate’ in this context.
Published on
3 November 2022
by
Tegan George.
Revised on
11 March 2023.
Advisor and adviser are different spellings of the same word. Both are considered acceptable spellings, though there is some regional variation.
Adviser is the original and more commonly used spelling. It is sometimes considered more informal.
Advisor is also considered a correct spelling. It is less commonly used, but usually signifies an official position. It is more common in US English than UK English.
Examples: Adviser and Advisor in a sentenceDespite his lower station, the baron quickly became the queen’s most trusted adviser, called upon to advise her on a variety of subjects.
His vast combat experience made him a sought-after military adviser in the private sector.
Jane had worked as an academic advisor at the local college for many years and was beloved by the students.
When it became clear that liquidating the estate would be less simple than they thought, they decided to hire a financial advisor.
NoteAccording to the AP Stylebook, adviser is the correct spelling. But other sources such as Merriam-Webster list both spellings as equally correct, with no difference in meaning. The best approach is to pick one spelling and stick to it consistently in your writing.
The CRAAP test is a method to evaluate the credibility of a source you are using.
When conducting research, it’s important to use credible sources. They ensure the trustworthiness of your argument and strengthen your conclusions.
There are a lot of sources out there, and it can be hard to determine whether they are sufficiently credible, but doing so is an important information literacy skill. To help, librarians at California State University developed the CRAAP test in 2004.
What is the CRAAP test?The CRAAP test has 5 main components
Currency: Is the source up to date?
Relevance: Is the source relevant to your research?
Authority: Where is the source published? Who is the author? Are they considered reputable and trustworthy in their field?
Accuracy: Is the source supported by evidence? Are the claims cited correctly?
Purpose: What was the motive behind publishing this source?
Published on
2 October 2022
by
Tegan George.
Revised on
17 July 2023.
A and an are different forms of the same word, the indefinite article that often precedes a noun.
A is used before a noun that starts with a consonant sound (e.g., ‘s’, ‘t’, and ‘v’).
An is used before a noun that starts with a vowel sound (e.g., ‘a’, ‘o’, and ‘i’).
Note that the rule is not whether they start with a consonant or vowel, but whether they start with a consonant or vowel sound. This can help you decide which to use in difficult cases like words beginning in ‘u’ or ‘h’.
Examples: A in a sentence
Examples: An in a sentence
He had a dog when he was a child.
Oranges are a source of Vitamin C.
She had an aneurysm when she was a child.
Many employees of the company owned an iPhone.
A usurper to the throne was imminent.
Following an SOP is a good way to ensure everything goes smoothly.
NoteThe indefinite article is used to refer to a non-specific noun. However, the form the indefinite article takes depends on the initial sound of the word directly following it, regardless of whether this is a noun or an adjective.
