How do you manage the expectations and feedback of the primary data owners or providers?

1 Understand the context

Before you use any secondary data, you need to understand the context in which it was collected, analyzed, and reported. This includes the research objectives, methods, limitations, assumptions, and ethical standards of the original data source. You also need to check the quality, validity, and reliability of the data, and how it relates to your research question. This will help you avoid misinterpreting or misusing the data, and respect the rights and interests of the primary data owners or providers.

2 Communicate your purpose

When you use secondary data, you need to communicate your purpose clearly and transparently to the primary data owners or providers. You need to explain why you want to use their data, how you will use it, and what benefits or risks it may entail for them. You also need to obtain their consent, permission, or authorization, depending on the nature and sensitivity of the data. You need to follow the terms and conditions of the data access and use, and acknowledge the source properly in your research outputs.

3 Seek feedback and collaboration

Using secondary data does not mean that you have to work in isolation from the primary data owners or providers. You can seek their feedback and collaboration throughout your research process, especially if they have expertise, insights, or resources that can enhance your analysis or interpretation of the data. You can also share your findings and recommendations with them, and invite them to comment or contribute to your research outputs. This will help you build trust and rapport with them, and ensure that your research is relevant and useful for them.

4 Address ethical issues

Using secondary data can raise some ethical issues, such as privacy, confidentiality, ownership, consent, and harm. You need to address these issues carefully and responsibly, and follow the ethical principles and guidelines of your discipline, institution, and data source. You need to protect the identity and interests of the data subjects, respect the intellectual property and copyright of the data owners or providers, and avoid any harm or misuse of the data. You also need to disclose any limitations, biases, or conflicts of interest that may affect your research.

5 Manage challenges and limitations

Using secondary data can also present some challenges and limitations, such as data availability, accessibility, compatibility, comparability, and suitability. You need to manage these challenges and limitations effectively, and adopt appropriate strategies and solutions to overcome them. You may need to search for alternative or complementary data sources, negotiate or request access to restricted or confidential data, harmonize or adjust data from different sources or formats, compare or contrast data from different contexts or perspectives, and evaluate or justify the suitability of the data for your research question.

6 Learn and improve

Using secondary data can be a valuable and rewarding experience, but also a learning and improving opportunity. You can learn from the best practices and experiences of the primary data owners or providers, and from your own successes and failures in using secondary data. You can also improve your skills and knowledge in secondary research, and identify areas for further improvement or development. You can also seek feedback and support from your peers, mentors, or experts in secondary research, and participate in relevant networks, communities, or events.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?