Why is it sometime necessary to supplement field research with other forms of data? What types of data are used in criminal justice research and how could they supplement field research?

 

he importance of using secondary data includes the fact that it enables the researcher to look and analyze existing research works done previously by other scholars and thus add to existing knowledge by improving their work. At the same time, it enables the researcher to identify research gaps and thus avoid replication. At the same time, it enables the researcher to save time and the costs associated with filed work through obtaining some information from secondary data, which can be beneficial and at the same time, supplement primary data. Through secondary data, the researcher may be able to identify and come up with a good research design that can be applied. This helps him or her identify research designs explored by scholars in previous research works. It also enables one to cite and acknowledge previous researchers and scholars who have contributed to that field of study.

Step-by-step explanation

In conducting research, a researcher may use other forms of data other than field research data. Such data is known as secondary data. Secondary data is defined as any other form of data that is used in research other than primary data collected from the field. Secondary data sources include previous research works, journals, newspapers, thesis, and projects, among many others (Walliman, 2017).

The importance of using secondary data includes the fact that it enables the researcher to look and analyze existing research works done previously by other scholars and thus add to existing knowledge by improving their work. At the same time, it enables the researcher to identify research gaps and thus avoid replication. At the same time, it enables the researcher to save time and the costs associated with filed work through obtaining some information from secondary data, which can be beneficial and at the same time, supplement primary data. Through secondary data, the researcher may be able to identify and come up with a good research design that can be applied. This helps him or her identify research designs explored by scholars in previous research works. It also enables one to cite and acknowledge previous researchers and scholars who have contributed to that field of study (Bryman, 2016).