HNC-Computering: Task 3 and Task 4

Task 3: Evaluate the importance of using primary information sources

Primary Research: This type of research involves gathering new data that has not been collected before. For example, surveys using questionnaires or interviews with groups of people in a focus group.

Secondary Research: This type of research involves gathering existing data that has already been produced. For example, researching the internet, newspapers and company reports.

Why is Primary Information Important?

1. Primary Information allows you to take control of how you collect data which will later let you form the response you want. It allows you to ask your own questions which helps narrow down similar responses. For example, asking about vehicles would be brief but being able to specify what type of vehicle, would help answer the reason of the research. This makes primary information very important as having secondary information you may not get a straight answer.

2. Primary research is a tired, tested and proven method of conducting effective research so you know the results that you gather can be relied on. Having to trust unknown secondary research you are risking the information in being incorrect or outdated. Primary information can be relied on due to the information being conducted by yourself/group.

3. The Primary Information is much better than secondary sources as it's been carried out by yourself/group, which gives you ownership of the results you've collected. The research is unique to your requirements and the insight you gain from it can give you an edge over your competitors. Some Primary information can also be worth some money to companies such as; online shops that would want to know what their customers would want. In-turn gives your research some value, which secondary sources you own no rights to.

4. Primary market research is the only way of getting direct feedback from clearly defined target groups and it allows you to ask very precise questions to a very specific group of people. This type of research is best undertaken anonymously or from an independent point of view and can be turned into very valuable content in the form of white papers as well as helping you to develop new marketing and customer profiling/engagement strategies

5. Primary information is important as you're gathering the first-hand, what you gather will be more accurate and timely. Its up to you how detailed the responses you want through the questions you ask. Having the chance to ask qualitative and quantitative questions it gives you the chance for a range of different responses of your choice. This would be helpful if your trying to find out a number results or opinions.

6. Primary information offers a deeper insight - by directly recording the thoughts, words and feelings of your primary data you can really get under the skin of what your prospects, clients or competitors are really saying. This is very useful if you are trying to gain detailed information on projects/items that the clients have witnessed or used.

Task 4: You will use Harvard referencing for all your research on the course. Describe this method of referencing.

Harvard Referencing is a system that students, writers and researchers can use to incorporate other peoples findings and ideas in their work in order to support and validate their conclusion without breaching any intellectual property laws.
This type of referencing is usually used in assignments and publications for people, nature, social and behavioural sciences

In Harvard referencing is a parenthetical referencing system that us made up of two main components: The authors surname and the year of publication which will be shown in a bracket wherever another source has been used to contribute to your work (In-text references).
A reference list is outlining all of the sources directly cited in your work.

In-text references are used to indicate where you have directly quoted or paraphrased a source. This is a great technique of referencing as it allows any reader to understand that the information has came from a different source.
The reference list is alphabetised of complete references that enables your reader to locate each source with ease.

Harvard Referencing allows companies, universities etc. to gain an idea on the length that you have gone to, to gain the research for your chosen topic.

The information allows readers to know if the information is outdated or incorrect. This makes any further research creditable due to you being aware that the information you have gained is up to date and has reliable sources.

References:
Task 3:
(12/10/2017)
http://blog.gcldirect.com/blog/info/5-reasons-why-primary-market-research-is-essential

(23/10/2017)
https://www.sccollege.edu/Library/Pages/primarysources.aspx

Task 4:
(23/10/2017)
http://www.citethisforme.com/uk/referencing-generator/harvard