Interviews are a primary research method.

Interviews are a primary research method.

• A. Secondary research
• B. Primary research
• C. Tertiary research
• D. Quantitative research

Answer: (B)

Interviews involve collecting new, original data directly from people, so they are a primary research method. Primary research is about generating fresh data specifically for your study, rather than using information that already exists. Interviews fit this because you’re obtaining participants’ thoughts, experiences, or responses firsthand. Secondary research, by contrast, analyzes information that has already been collected and published by others. Tertiary research compiles, summarizes, or aggregates existing sources. While interviews are typically used to gather qualitative insights, they can be structured to collect numerical data as well, the important point is that the data originate from your direct data collection, not from a pre-existing source. That’s why interviews are categorized as primary research.

Interviews involve collecting new, original data directly from people, so they are a primary research method. Primary research is about generating fresh data specifically for your study, rather than using information that already exists. Interviews fit this because you’re obtaining participants’ thoughts, experiences, or responses firsthand.

Secondary research, by contrast, analyzes information that has already been collected and published by others. Tertiary research compiles, summarizes, or aggregates existing sources. While interviews are typically used to gather qualitative insights, they can be structured to collect numerical data as well, the important point is that the data originate from your direct data collection, not from a pre-existing source. That’s why interviews are categorized as primary research.