Scribd
Upload
26 views

GCH 380 WK 12a - Secondary Data

This document discusses secondary analysis of existing data. It begins by defining secondary analysis as analyzing data collected for another purpose to answer a new research question. The research process involves identifying a novel question, selecting an appropriate existing data source, analyzing and managing the data, and reporting findings. Benefits include lower costs and quicker timelines compared to primary data collection. Challenges include working with someone else's data design and ensuring appropriate analysis. Examples of large health surveys and databases are provided. Overall it emphasizes the value and opportunities of secondary data analysis to answer important public health questions.

Uploaded by

Mercy
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
26 views

GCH 380 WK 12a - Secondary Data

This document discusses secondary analysis of existing data. It begins by defining secondary analysis as analyzing data collected for another purpose to answer a new research question. The research process involves identifying a novel question, selecting an appropriate existing data source, analyzing and managing the data, and reporting findings. Benefits include lower costs and quicker timelines compared to primary data collection. Challenges include working with someone else's data design and ensuring appropriate analysis. Examples of large health surveys and databases are provided. Overall it emphasizes the value and opportunities of secondary data analysis to answer important public health questions.

Uploaded by

Mercy
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 12

SECONDARY DATA

GCH 380
Module 4
WHAT IS A SECONDARY ANALYSIS OF
EXISTING DATA?

• Analyzing data for a reason different than why they were collected
• Another way, it is using existing data that was collected for other purposes
(maybe a prior study) to pursue a research question distinct from the original
work
Identify a Select a study Design study Manage & Report
study question approach & collect data analyze data findings

• What does the research process look like for a secondary analysis of existing data?
SECONDARY DATA ANALYSIS

Learn
about
available
data Novel,
answerable
research Manage & Report
question w/ analyze data findings
public health
Learn impact
about
specific
topic
BENEFITS

• Primarily, the data is already collected!


• Cost-effective
• Relatively quick
• Quality of data
• Benefit from the expertise of those collecting the data
• Generalizability of findings are greater if you are using a large census or nationally
representative sample compared to what you might be able to collect
• Feasible
• Even possible for you to otherwise get this data?
CHALLENGES

• The data is already collected…


• What data is available? What you want may not be there, and what is the data quality?
• Data is never exactly as you want it
• Other people may have already seen the data, could become a race
• May be overwhelmed with amount of data available
• Because you didn’t collect it, need to:
• Become familiar with the data collection process/survey
• Figure out how to appropriately analyze the data
• It might need to be weighted to be representative due to a complex sampling design
• Assess the quality of the data
EXAMPLES

• Substance Use • Multiple of Health Topics,


• NSDUH (SAMHSA)
• DAWN (SAMHSA)
e.g., Nutrition, PA, Obesity:
• Tobacco Legacy Document Library • BRFSS (CDC)
• Injury • YRBSS (CDC)
• FARS (NHTSA) • Add Health
• NEISS (CPSC) • NHANES (CDC)
• Health Care • NHIS (CDC)
• NHCS (CDC)
• MEPS (AHRQ)
• HCUP (AHRQ) How could you find more?
IDENTIFYING SECONDARY DATA
SOURCES

• Google
• Ask for referrals
• Literature reviews
• Reports from federal/state/local governments
• State health departments have a ton of data!
• Creative sources – example, marketing data
LESSONS LEARNED

• The following slides outline some lessons a previous teacher has learned about
conducting secondary data analyses over the years
1. NEW IDEAS OFTEN COME FROM CONVERSATIONS
AND READING

Diet mixers Smoking Perceived drunkenness


2. LINKING DATABASES IMPROVES OUR ABILITY TO ANSWER
IMPORTANT RESEARCH QUESTIONS
3. THERE ARE SO MANY OVERLOOKED
POSSIBILITIES FOR USING SECONDARY DATA TO
ANSWER IMPORTANT RESEARCH QUESTIONS

You might also like