Sources of Data 

Sources of Data

Through their investigations, researchers need to also use various sources of data. These sources can be from individuals and groups as well as from print and digital media. Individuals and groups refer to the people and organisations from which researchers can obtain their primary data, but also gain background secondary data for their literature review. Individuals can be contacted through personal contacts or connections, industry contacts, experts or specialists such as neighbours or doctors. Groups can be from government, non-government or community organisations such as Family and Community Services, Barnardos or the Lions Club. The types of data obtained from both individuals and groups can vary.

Print sources such as journals, textbooks, magazines, newspapers, pamplets and resource sheets can support the findings of researchers. Digital sources such as computer programs, the internet, search engines, televisions programs, radio, films, documentaries, CDs, DVDs, podcasts, reliable blogs, webcasts, video clips, and e-books, can be used to obtain key findings of research. Each of these sources of data has various advantages and limitations.