Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Pre-existing data refers to information that has been previously collected for another purpose and can be utilized in new studies.
Related terms
Secondary Data: Secondary data refers to information collected by someone else for their own research purposes, which can be used by other researchers for different studies.
Quantitative Data: Quantitative data is numerical information that can be measured and analyzed statistically. It often involves pre-existing data gathered through surveys or experiments.
Qualitative Data: Qualitative data is non-numerical information that focuses on capturing the richness and depth of individuals' experiences or opinions. It can also include pre-existing data from interviews or observations.