Which term refers to data previously collected and analyzed by others?

• A. Secondary Data
• B. Test Marketing
• C. Target Market
• D. Market Segmentation

Answer: (A)

This question tests understanding of data sources in research, specifically the difference between primary and secondary data. Data previously collected and analyzed by others is secondary data. It comes from sources not created for the current study, like government statistics, industry reports, published research, or internal company records. Using secondary data can save time and money and provide broader context, but it may not perfectly fit the current problem or be up to date, so it should be evaluated for relevance and quality.

In contrast, primary data are new data you collect yourself to address a specific question, such as through surveys, experiments, or interviews. The other terms refer to concepts about who you’re marketing to (the target market) and how you divide the market into groups (market segmentation), rather than to data sources. Test marketing involves releasing a product in a limited area to gather fresh consumer responses, which also generates new primary data.