Some differences between secondary and
primary research (and reporting):
- The Literature review is now focused on finding a justification for your
own original piece of empirical research
- With research-based investigations you usually have much more freedom to determine the objectives and the specific
research questions of your study
- The report involves an interesting interplay between your primary and
secondary research, as you return to discussing the connections
between your own findings and those of other researchers
- Empirical investigations usually have a more social
dimension - you will be building on what other researchers have done,
discovered and theorised
- Your report will conclude with recommendations
for future researchers. These might include the possible significance
of your findings for other researchers, and the limitations
of your studies.
The social nature of academic research
