Primary and secondary data – UGC NET Question

Statements A, B, C and F correctly describe primary and secondary data, while D and E are wrong. Statement A is true because primary data are gathered first-hand for the current study. Statement B correctly defines secondary data, and statement C rightly lists typical secondary sources. Statement F is also true since many studies combine both data types, whereas D is false because secondary data can be current and useful and E is false because primary collection is often more costly and time-consuming.

Option A:
Option A marks only D as wrong, but E is also incorrect. Although D wrongly dismisses secondary data as always outdated, E wrongly claims that primary data are always cheaper and quicker. By failing to include E, this option does not fully represent the set of wrong statements.

Option B:
Option B correctly identifies D and E as the wrong statements while leaving A, B, C and F unchallenged as correct. It recognises that secondary data can be valuable and that primary collection may be resource-intensive. Because it includes all and only the wrong statements, this option is the correct answer.

Option C:
Option C chooses only E as wrong and ignores D, thereby overlooking a major misconception about secondary data. Since the question asks for all wrong statements, omitting D makes this combination incomplete.

Option D:
Option D wrongly labels C as part of the wrong set along with D and E. Statement C is accurate, as official documents and published research often serve as secondary sources. Misclassifying a correct statement as wrong renders this option invalid.