Definition Raw data

Raw data or primary data are collected directly related to their object of study (statistical units). When people comprise the subject of an investigation, data collection can be conducted by way of a survey, an observation , or an experiment.

Surveys especially present the advantage that they allow for a vast array of options in terms of analysis.

Only if it is possible to access all of the survey's primary data, i.e., the individual responses of all respondents on all issues of an investigation, can we calculate distributions or correlations and such. In contrast to raw data, secondary data refers to data that has already been aggregated and thus no longer contains all of the original investigation's information. 

Please note that the definitions in our statistics encyclopedia are simplified explanations of terms. Our goal is to make the definitions accessible for a broad audience; thus it is possible that some definitions do not adhere entirely to scientific standards.