Desk research

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Desk Research (sometimes known as secondary data or secondary research) involves gathering data that already exists either from internal sources of the client, publications of governmental and non-governmental institutions, free access data on the internet, in professional newspapers and magazines, in annual reports of companies and commercial databases to name but a few. In many projects, carrying out an initial desk research stage is strongly recommended to gain background knowledge to a subject as well as providing useful leads that will help to get the maximum from a research budget.

In archaeology and landscape history, desk research is contrasted with fieldwork.

Advantages of Desk Research:

  • Cheap
  • Time Effective
  • Large amounts of information can be received very quickly

Disadvantages of Desk Research:

  • Results may be out of date
  • Results may be incorrect
  • The amount of information available may be very limited
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