Before using secondary data following characteristics must be kept in mind
Reliability of data: finding out such things about the said data can test the reliability
Who collected the data
What were the sources of data
Were they colleted by using proper method
at what time were they collected
Was there any bias of the complier
What level f accuracy was desired
Was it achieved?
Suitability of data: The data that are suitable for one enquiry may not necessarily be found in another enquiry. Hence if the available data are found to be suitable, they should not be used by the researcher .in the context, the researcher must be very carefully scrutinize the definition of various units and terms of collection used at the time of collecting the data from the primary source originally. similarly the object scope and nature of a original enquiry must also be studied .if the researcher finds differences the data will remain unsuitable for the present enquiry and should be used.
Adequacy of the data: if the level of accuracy achieved in data found inadequate for the purpose of the present enquiry, they will be considered as inadequate and should not be used by the researcher. The data will also be considered inadequate, if they are related to an area which may be either narrower or wider than the area of the present enquiry.
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