Answer

Statistics

Description of a Study That Uses Analysis of Existing Statistics as the Appropriate Research Method

In the field of study, the researcher or the person carrying out the study may not be personally involved in the collection of information directly, and hence would depend on the pre-existing information for the purpose of arriving at research or study results. Such a systematic assessment strategy is known as a secondary study (Stewart, & Kamins, 1993). Existing statistics or data refers to beforehand gathered information that has been critically evaluated and well examined to get to a certain conclusion (Mike Allen, 2017). In other words, the prevailing data or information refers to published secondary information that embraces secondary study for its analysis (Stewart, & Kamins, 1993).  

Secondary study, also referred to as desk study, is an orderly and logical investigation carried out by the researcher on the pre-existing information in his or her course of research or study process (Formplus Blog, July 1, 2020). It is also referred to as desk study because it incorporates synthesizing pre-existing information gotten from books, journals, the internet, libraries, business periodicals and archives of the government and other sources of information. The study design, therefore, entails the organization and analysis of information samples from past studies (primary research), and the application of such studies to the main particular study at hand for the purpose of drawing a valid study conclusion (Stewart, & Kamins, 1993).

Secondary study depends mostly on primary study; it calls for the evaluation and identification of gaps in the existing body of knowledge before embracing primary study to gather new data that will serve the study at hand (Mike Allen, 2017). It is always the first step in any orderly assessment. This is partly because it aids the person carrying out the study to comprehend what study efforts have been previously made and how he/she can use the current knowledge to map out the new direction for his investigation. 

Source to use in Secondary Study

The most understandable way to classify information is by highlighting it as either qualitative or quantitative. Some sources comprise of either qualitative information or quantitative information. However, it is key to note that sources regularly encompass both (Denscombe, M. (2014). Secondary study can employ both qualitative and quantitative sources. Qualitative sources entail relying on past detailed interviews, archival records, and information collected through focus groups that aid an organization to comprehend, for example, the needs of its clients, and then plan on how to realize such needs (Denscombe, M. (2014. Quantitative sources, on the other hand, entails the use of surveys, online questionnaires, reports based on trends, and information related to diverse areas of the industry or business (Formplus Blog, July 1, 2020).  

Qualitative sources incorporate information of things in their natural reality or environment. They have interpretations that are constructed and methods that can be utilized to make sense of information from a natural insight when analyzing secondary study. For example, it contains grounded theories and content analysis (Formplus Blog, July 1, 2020). Quantitative sources, therefore, provide natural and in-depth views that are often missed by the scientific studies which can boost secondary study’s expectations and analysis.

Quantitative source, on the other hand, contains either inferential or descriptive statistics which can be converted into meaningful information and used in various areas of research. Such sources aid in the analysis of data, description of patterns or relationships. The principle of quantitative sources is based on mathematics, which is considered as a rational and scientifical objective (Stewart, & Kamins, 1993). Furthermore, qualitative source contains measured values that reduce cases of ambiguities when it comes to interpretation and analysis of the secondary study.  

Potential Problems and Possible Solutions

Some of the problems that I may encounter in secondary study, and the sources that I may use relate to questionable information. It is very hard to establish the authenticity of the information when it comes to secondary study. This is because the person who carries out the study is not involved directly in the study process, which can be susceptible to errors and bias. Information that is not valid or true can affect the result of the study negatively. To resolve this kind of problem, I would thoroughly evaluate and analyze the information and its sources before using it. I would also make sure to verify the authenticity of the sources that I will use in the study, ranging from the author to the publisher, the year of publication, and the truthfulness of the information in the sources.

Generalization is another problem. Secondary study and its sources are not very specified in nature, and hence may not respond to the needs of the study per se. In other words, the pre-existing information may not correlate with the process of study. To help resolve this, I would engage sources that are very specific in their subject matter in relation to the study at hand. This will help me draw a specific conclusion, and accordingly avoid generalization. There is also a problem of outdated study material, of which I will choose to use the current and updated ones.