

Examples of work classified in this way will be described some cells remain empty (cells 1c, 2a and b, 3a and c) because appropriate examples have not yet been identified and it is not known if these forms of secondary analysis have ever been conducted (there are no a priori grounds for excluding them).Īdditional in-depth analysis: a more intensive focus on a particular finding or aspect than was undertaken as part of the primary work. These difficulties notwithstanding, forms of secondary analysis are cross-classified in Table 1 according to the focus of the analysis and the nature of the original data used. It is made more difficult by the fact that some researchers may not define their work as secondary analysis (Hinds, Vogel and Clarke-Steffen 1997). Classification of different types of secondary analysis of qualitative data is not straightforward as there are almost as many types as there are examples. Hinds, Vogel and Clarke-Steffen 1997, Thorne 1994). In addition, the approach may either be employed by researchers to re-use their own data or by independent analysts using previously established qualitative data sets.ĭespite the fact that thus far secondary analysis of qualitative data has not been widely undertaken, there have been a few reviews of the approach (e.g. As will be shown below, secondary analysis can involve the use of single or multiple qualitative data sets, as well as mixed qualitative and quantitative data sets. In this respect, secondary analysis differs from systematic reviews and meta-analyses of qualitative studies which aim instead to compile and assess the evidence relating to a common concern or area of practice (Popay, Rogers and Williams 1998).


Secondary analysis involves the use of existing data, collected for the purposes of a prior study, in order to pursue a research interest which is distinct from that of the original work this may be a new research question or an alternative perspective on the original question (Hinds, Vogel and Clarke-Steffen 1997, Szabo and Strang 1997).
SECONDARY DATA ANALYSIS METHODS UPDATE
This Update outlines some of the forms that secondary analysis of qualitative data can take, the key methodological and ethical issues that arise, and how the approach might be further developed.
SECONDARY DATA ANALYSIS METHODS FREE
Subscriptions for the hardcopy version are free to researchers withĪddresses in the UK. Sociology, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, England. Social Research Update is published quarterly by the Department of Social Research Update 22: Secondary analysis of qualitative data
