What term is defined as information collected by a researcher from sources other than their own research?

The term that describes information collected by a researcher from sources other than their own original research is secondary data. This type of data encompasses any information that has been previously gathered, analyzed, and published by others. Researchers use secondary data to support their own findings, provide context for their studies, or refine their research questions. Examples of secondary data include academic articles, reports, census data, and existing databases.

Primary data, in contrast, refers to data that is collected firsthand by the researcher for a specific study, while tertiary data usually involves the summarization or synthesis of primary and secondary sources, such as encyclopedias. Qualitative data refers to non-numeric information that describes qualities or characteristics, often gathered through interviews or open-ended surveys, and is a distinct category altogether. Understanding these distinctions helps researchers effectively utilize various sources of information in their work.