These past few years, we have seen a digital revolution that increases the ability to create, collect, store, process, and analyze information freely through the Internet, social media, and mobile technology.

As a result, the research and insight function is extending beyond primary data collection to a more substance data collection namely secondary data. It’s research data that has previously been gathered and can be accessed by researchers. To simplify, Secondary Data means data that has already been collected and is available from any trusted source.

Here are some guidelines for methods before using secondary data:

1. Manual Data Search: through the physical search of secondary data through the use of indexes, bibliographies, and literature references.
2. Data Search Through Direct Contact: using a computer terminal the researcher directly searches for relevant data from secondary data sources or distributors.
3. Secondary Data Evaluation Criteria: Secondary data collected must be relevant to the problems, and accuracy in the secondary data collection process needs to be evaluated before being used as a basis for decision-making.