What type of research involves the analysis of content that is not original or firsthand?

Secondary research involves the analysis of content that is not original or firsthand. This type of research is focused on utilizing existing resources such as books, articles, reports, and research papers that have already been published. In secondary research, the researcher analyzes and interprets data that was collected by someone else, often re-evaluating or summarizing that data to draw new conclusions. This is a vital approach in research as it allows for a broader understanding of a topic without the need to gather original data firsthand, making it efficient for literature reviews, meta-analyses, and synthesizing existing information.

In contrast, primary research involves collecting original data directly from sources, while tertiary research synthesizes and compiles information from primary and secondary sources. Qualitative research, on the other hand, refers more to the nature of the data collected and the methods used (such as interviews or surveys) rather than the level of originality of the content analyzed.