Discover more about SkillsActive's research methods
Primary research
- Involves the collection of new or updated information or data
- Usually involves some ‘fieldwork’
- Questions individual or groups of respondents
- Guarantees the respondent’s confidentiality
- Reports the results in an aggregated form
Qualitative and quantitative surveys
- Focus groups
- Depth interviews, face to face or by telephone
- Online surveys
- Postal surveys
- Telephone surveys, with field work subcontracted
Secondary research
- Using existing research information from other sources
- Often referred to as ‘desk research’
- Commonly undertaken using the Internet
- Some sources can require additional analysis e.g. National Statistics
