Which of the following is an example of primary data?

• A. Data from a system
• B. Trade journals
• C. Questionaries
• D. Published statistics

Answer: (C)

Primary data are data you collect yourself for a specific research purpose. A questionnaire fits this because you design and administer it to gather responses directly from people for your study, producing data collected firsthand. In contrast, data from a system are records generated during routine operations, not created to answer your particular question, so they’re considered secondary data. Trade journals and published statistics are also sources compiled by others for broader uses, not collected by you for your study, hence secondary data.