Which of the following best describes secondary data?

Secondary data refers to information that has already been collected and published by other researchers or organizations for purposes other than the current research project. This type of data is utilized by researchers who seek to analyze or synthesize findings without the need to gather primary data themselves, which often requires significant resources, time, and effort.

The option that emphasizes the collection of data from existing research captures the essence of secondary data perfectly. This type of data serves various functions, including providing context for new research, helping to validate or compare findings, and offering a foundation upon which to build further studies.

In the context of research processes, secondary data can come from various sources such as government reports, academic literature, datasets available from previous studies, and statistical databases. These resources can be invaluable, especially when primary data collection would be impractical or impossible due to limitations such as time constraints, costs, or accessibility challenges.