Which is true about primary research?
A. Asking leading questions will result in biased research.
B. You should ask only close questions.
C. It is not as credible as secondary research.
D. It is needed in every credible report.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is:
A. Asking leading questions will result in biased research.
Explanation:
Primary research involves collecting original data directly from sources such as surveys, interviews, observations, or experiments. This method is widely used in academic, scientific, and business research because it provides firsthand information tailored to specific research needs.
One of the key principles of conducting reliable primary research is avoiding bias, which can distort findings and lead to inaccurate conclusions. Leading questions are a major cause of bias because they subtly encourage respondents to answer in a particular way. For example, instead of asking, “How much do you enjoy our excellent service?” a neutral and unbiased question would be, “How would you describe your experience with our service?”
Now, let’s evaluate the other options:
- B. You should ask only close questions. ❌ Incorrect.
While closed-ended questions (e.g., multiple-choice, yes/no questions) are useful for quantitative research, open-ended questions are essential for qualitative insights. A well-balanced questionnaire should include both types, depending on the research goal. - C. It is not as credible as secondary research. ❌ Incorrect.
Primary research is often more credible than secondary research because it provides firsthand, up-to-date information tailored to specific needs. Secondary research relies on existing sources, which may be outdated or less relevant. - D. It is needed in every credible report. ❌ Incorrect.
While primary research is valuable, not every report requires it. Some credible reports rely solely on secondary data, such as literature reviews or industry reports. The need for primary research depends on the research question and objectives.
Conclusion:
To ensure accurate and unbiased primary research, researchers must frame neutral questions that allow participants to share their perspectives freely. Avoiding leading questions ensures that the data collected is valid and reliable for making informed decisions.
Now, I’ll generate an image to visually represent the concept of biased vs. unbiased questions.
Here is the generated image illustrating the concept of biased vs. unbiased research questions. It visually compares how leading questions can influence responses versus how neutral questions encourage objective answers. Let me know if you need any modifications!
