Learning about research and information from the Covid-19 pandemic -No.1. Primary and secondary research

Learning about research and information from the Covid-19 pandemic

There is lots that can be learned from the current crisis about information in its various forms and how best to do academic research as we experience these strange times. This is the first in a mini series of blog posts which explore some key "lessons" inspired by examples from the current crisis. Not sure how? - well read on......

No. 1 Primary and secondary research

Recently there has been a lot of news footage showing scientists working in labs with test tubes and various bits of machinery. Lab technicians are trying to understand the new virus, how it affects different people, how to test for it, and how to develop a vaccine against it, for example.
These scientists (who are lecturers, students and academics) are carrying out primary research as opposed to secondary research because (to put it simply) they are actually doing the research on the virus themselves- they are not reading what someone else has written about it.

If you look at some of the new academic websites on Covid-19 research you will see that they also refer to journal articles and other resources they have read (quite possibly provided through their institution's library!) - on Coronaviruses or SARS, for example - to help them understand Covid-19.  This is secondary research because they are reading what other writer(s) have previously written up following the primary research they have carried out. The Covid-19 scientists then apply this knowledge when they decide how to carry out their primary research. They in time write up what they discover and this is read by others as secondary research.

Image by Michal Jarmoluk
https://pixabay.com/photos/laboratory-analysis-diagnostics-2815639/

Whilst most of the primary research is focusing on the science at the moment there are also other forms of primary research going on largely through collecting statistics (e.g. cases and deaths) and also through surveys and interviews (e.g. how are people feeling about lockdown? What is the impact on small businesses as a result of the crisis?).

How does this apply to me?
A number of UCP students (e.g. Psychosocial degree students) are about to start their Undergraduate Major Projects and some of them will be carrying out primary research through questionnaires and surveys. However,

• Primary research isn't enough on it's own, it relies on secondary research
• Secondary research is used to introduce and understand the topic- it provides context so you should include this in your project.
• Secondary research will help you formulate the right questions or research process in the first place to get the best results.
• Your secondary research will help throw a light on the results of the primary research and help you to draw conclusions at the end.

Why not follow the example of the Covid-19 scientists? It may not be a matter of life and death for you but it could get you a good grade!