Use of Secondary Data in Leisure Research

Abstract

Secondary data analysis is the use of existing data by another researcher in a way in which the primary researcher had not intended. Hakim (1982, p. 12) stated that “secondary analysis is any further analysis of a survey or social data set that presents interpretations, conclusions or knowledge in addition to, or different from those presented in the first report on the inquiry as a whole and its main results.” Hyman (1972, 6) observed that “it is self-evident that solving a problem by the analysis of existing survey data, rather than by collecting data in a new survey, economizes on money, time and personnel.” The purpose of this paper was to: (a) determine if secondary data sets were being used by leisure researchers and, (b) determine how leisure researchers are presenting the secondary data sets in their articles. Secondary data was defined as the use of existing data by another researcher in a way in which the primary researcher had not intended. The following criteria were used to evaluate the articles: (a) was the population/sample described? (b) were the sampling procedures outlined? (c) were the data collection procedures outlined? (d) was the instrument described? and (e) was the primary data set identified? These criteria were selected to evaluate the articles based on the observation that secondary data analysis is dependent upon the initial researcher's procedures. The Journal of Leisure Research (12(1), 1980 to 16(4), 1984) was used for this study. A total of 149 articles were reviewed; 20 articles were found to have used secondary data. Of the 20 articles that used secondary data sets, there were 34 different data sets cited. The results of this review indicate that although leisure researchers are using secondary data sets thay are not adequately documenting the primary data set or acknowledging clearly the use of a secondary data set in their analysis. Researchers who use secondary data sets should follow the same research procedures that they use when presenting a primary data set.