What type of data analysis involves using previously collected information for current research?

The correct answer is secondary analysis. This type of data analysis specifically refers to the process of using data that has already been collected, often for a different purpose, to conduct new research or answer new questions. Researchers may utilize existing datasets from studies, surveys, or archives to explore new variables or insights that were not the focus of the original research, making secondary analysis a valuable method for broadening knowledge without the resource expenditure of gathering new data.

Choices that involve primary analysis focus on data collection that is conducted firsthand by the researcher for a specific study. Qualitative analysis emphasizes the exploration of data through non-numerical means, such as interviews or observational methods, often prioritizing thematic or contextual understanding over broad application of pre-existing data. Descriptive analysis aims to summarize or describe the main features of a dataset but does not necessarily indicate that the data analyzed is previously collected. Secondary analysis, therefore, is distinctly characterized by its reliance on already existing information to generate new insights, making it the appropriate choice in this context.