 Diaries:

A diary is a type of self-administered questionnaire often used to record frequent or contemporaneous

events or experiences. This research tool, although not being able to provide results as detailed as a true
field study, can still offer a vast amount of contextual information without the costs of a true field study.

 Time and Motion Study :

The measurement and analysis of the motions or steps involved in a particular task and the time taken
to complete each one. An analysis of the motions used in an industrial process with an aim to improve
efficiency and productivity. A method to establish ‘‘the one best way to perform a task’’
 Experimental Method:
Experimental research is undertaken when a researcher wishes to trace cause-and-effect relationships
between defined variables. In an experiment, an independent variable, the cause is manipulated and the
dependent variable, the effect is measured; any extraneous variables are controlled.
 Statistical Method:
statistical analysis involves collecting and scrutinizing every data sample in a set of items from which
samples can be drawn. Data summarization is the calculation of appropriate statistics and the display of
such information in the form of tables, graphs, or charts.

When and why to use secondary data

There are various reasons for using secondary data:

 A particularly good collection of data already exists.

 You are doing a historical study – that is, your study begins and ends at
a particular point in time.
 You are covering an extended period, and analysing development over
that period – a longitudinal study.
 The unit that you are studying may be difficult, or simply too large, to
study directly.
 You are doing a case study of a particular organization/industry/area,
and it is important to look at the relevant documents.

You should pay particular attention to the place of secondary documents

within your research design. How prominent a role you give to this method
may depend on your subject: for example, if you are researching in the area of
accounting, finance or business history, secondary documentary sources are
likely to play an important part. Otherwise, use of secondary data is likely to
play a complementary part in your research design. For example, if you are
studying a particular organization, you would probably want to supplement
observation/interviews with a look at particular documents produced by that
organization.

Example
In "Learning lessons? The registration of lobbyists at the Scottish parliament"
(Journal of Communication Management, Vol. 10 No. 1), the author uses
archival research at the Scottish parliament as a supplementary research
method (along with the media and focus groups), his main method being
interviews and participant observation of meetings.
This point is further developed in the "Secondary data as part of the research
design" section of this guide. Reasons for using the different types of
secondary data are further developed in the individual sections.
NB If you are doing a research project/dissertation/thesis, check your
organization's view of secondary data. Some organizations may require you to
use primary data as your principle research method.