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Secondary sources are data that already exist and were originally collected or created for purposes other than the researcher's own study. Using secondary sources allows sociologists to analyse large-scale patterns, historical trends, and phenomena that would be impossible or impractical to study through primary data collection. In this lesson, we examine two key types of secondary source: official statistics and documents.
Official statistics are quantitative data collected and published by government agencies and other official bodies. In the UK, key sources include the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the Home Office, the Department for Education, and NHS Digital.
Key Definition: Official statistics — numerical data collected and published by government departments and agencies, covering topics such as crime, health, education, employment, population, and poverty.
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