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Research Methods

Introduction to primary research

Four jigsaw pieces with the labels questionnaire, surveys, observations and focus groupsPrimary Research

Primary research is the collection and analysis of original data.

“The ultimate goal in conducting primary research is to learn about something new that can be confirmed by others" (Driscoll, 2011, p.154). It involves the "collection of original data specific to that particular project, for example through using research methods such as questionnaires or interviews.” (Jones, 2022, p.9).

This differs from secondary research which uses research and data that has already been carried out.

Primary research methods include quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods approaches. 

Primary sources

Primary sources can vary depending upon the discipline or context. They could include medieval manuscripts for a historian, the results of laboratory tests for a health researcher, or focus groups and surveys for a social scientist. 

Some examples of primary sources include:

  • Academic material – Theses, dissertations, research based journal articles (not reviews), conference papers, poster presentations

  • Personal sources – diaries, correspondence, autobiographies, memoirs, speeches

  • Surveys and reports – royal commissions, tax inspections, questionnaires

  • ‘Official’ records – minutes, annual reports, accounts, church records, government records laws, parliamentary papers, parish registers, business records, census returns, birth certificates, patents

  • Media – newspapers, cartoons, films, video recordings, advertisements

  • Artistic sources – works of fiction, plays, poetry, sculpture, music, works of art, photographs

  • Geographical records – place names, maps, satellite images

  • Observations – recording observed behaviour and occurrences

Access to original primary sources can be found in libraries and archives. Some primary sources can be found by searching online databases.

Literature reviews

Literature reviews are a form of secondary research. Before conducting any research it is important to understand the context of your topic/research area by carrying out a thorough review of the literature. This helps to:

  • inform and direct research more effectively

  • demonstrate command of your subject, theories and terminology

  • broaden and deepen your knowledge and appreciation of the research field

  • demonstrate where your research sits within existing work

  • signpost areas of research requiring further inquiry, gaps in knowledge, potential counter arguments to develop, alternative research methodologies, and raw data or archival sources for revaluating

Guidance for conducting a search for, and writing up, a literature review is available on the skills guides:

Primary research projects

Primary research projects

Primary research for your major project will likely include a literature review, even if you are conducting primary research. The literature review may written up as a background chapter before you conduct your primary research. 

 

Primary research methods:

Some examples of primary research methods are listed below, but as the criteria and guidance will differ for each School, it is important that you check the guidance which you have been given for your assessment and speak with your supervisor if anything is unclear.

Primary research data collection, could be through:

  • Surveys / Questionnaires: used to gather information from a large group of individuals, often using multiple-choice and open-ended questions. 

  • Interviews: One-on-one or small group discussions to collect in-depth information from specific individuals or experts. 

  • Focus Groups: Group discussions to explore a topic

  • Observational Studies: Observing and recording behaviours or events 

  • Experiments: Testing hypothesis to establish cause and effect relationships. These could be laboratory tests, trials or field experiments.

  • Case Studies: In-depth investigations of a specific individual, group, or event. 

  • Historical analysis: examination of original sources, to gain a deeper understanding of the past

There is more information about data collection available on the quantitative and qualitative guides. 

Searching for research

The Library provides access to a wide range of resources which can be used to search for primary and secondary sources.

 

Subject databases

You can search the subject databases for peer reviewed primary research or review articles and conference papers (and more). The databases cover a range of subject areas.

The full list of databases is available via the A-Z list: https://libguides.tees.ac.uk/az/databases 

The subject guides can be useful to direct you to the most helpful databases for your subject area: https://libguides.tees.ac.uk/subject_libguides

Grey literature

The majority of grey literature is ‘primary’ literature (the original writings on a subject) but usually has not been peer-reviewed. Therefore, you will need to use your own judgement as to the literature’s validity. Some sources of grey literature can be found in the helpsheet and link below.

Digitised sources

Digitised primary sources can be found within newspaper and periodical titles such as, The Times, Art and Architecture Archive, British Cartoon Archive, British Museum Images, Calendar of State Papers and House of Commons Parliamentary Papers. 

More specialist primary sources, including news videos from Northern Ireland from the 60s and 70s, Church of England records, trial accounts from the Old Bailey criminal court, can also be found via the library's databases. 

For more information go to Finding Digital Media, Newspapers, Official Documents & Statistics

Data collections

When a researcher collects data from their primary research (from methods such as surveys, experiments, observations), that data can be considered a primary source, as it's the original, uninterpreted evidence.

Some data sets can be accessed via open access repositories:

Evaluating research

Critical thinking and critical appraisal are key skills which can help evaluate research There are skills guides which provide support for this:

A useful checklist for critical evaluation is to ask yourself:

  • What? What type of source is it (is it peer reviewed)? What approach has been taken to produce the results?

  • Who? Who wrote or produced the source? Who is the target audience? Does the author have an agenda/bias?

  • When? When was it published or last updated? Is the information still accurate?

  • How? How was it written? Is it based on evidence rather than emotions? How was the data gathered and analysed - are they recognised research methods for the subject area?

Specific considerations for primary research

If you are undertaking a primary research based project, or using primary sources, there are some important considerations to be aware of regarding: ethics, privacy, data protection, referencing and copyright.

 

Ethics 

An ethics form may be required for your research. You should consult your tutor or academic school with regards to the University's ethics and integrity assurance activity if you are in any doubt. The 'Policy, procedures and guidelines for research ethics' at Teesside University can be found on the Research strategy and policy page: https://www.tees.ac.uk/sections/research/research_strategy.cfm

 

Privacy and data protection

Depending on the sources you are using, you may need explicit consent to consult the primary data and use it for academic purposes. This is especially important if it is of a sensitive nature, for example, surveys, commercial and medical data, interviews and family records.

If you are conducting your own primary research with participants, permission must be received from the people involved. Be sensitive to others and carefully word interview or survey questions.

Consider whether it might be appropriate to anonymise your findings. Researchers must adhere to relevant laws and regulations regarding data protection, such as GDPR. Privacy measures, such as anonymisation and encryption, can help protect participant data. There is more information about research and personal data available via the 'Research ethics and research integrity' pages: https://www.tees.ac.uk/sections/research/personal_data.cfm

 

Referencing

You will need to cite and reference any primary sources you use. If you read about a primary source in a secondary source and wish to use it, you should try to locate the primary source to check the context and data. To reference a primary source, follow the referencing guidelines for your subject area.

 

Copyright

It is important to obtain authorisation and adhere to any copyright regulations when using primary sources, especially regarding copying documents, images, and data for both initial research consultation and then reproduction in written work. Archives and libraries will advise on this, as will the terms and conditions of digital databases. There is copyright guidance available online: https://libguides.tees.ac.uk/copyright

Archives

Primary source historical documents and records are collated and stored in archives, where they may be accessed for research purposes.

The National Archives, the official archive for the UK Government, stores over 11 million government and public records, that include Domesday Book to tweets from Downing Street.

 

Visiting archives

Before visiting

  • check the online catalogue – some resources may not be available if they are too fragile
  • confirm if resources require pre-ordering and an appointment is required
  • find out if a visitor’s pass is needed
  • confirm arrangements for copying records

When you research in an archive, please respect their procedures for researchers. 

 

Notable archives and record offices

Using material on this page