Gather secondary data by reading what others have experienced and observed. You should begin nearly every research project by researching secondary sources to gather information that has already been written about your topic. What kind of data can books provide? In-depth historical data Up-to-date information Electronic indexes Writers of business reports usually begin their secondary research with If your online search does not provide the information you need, what electronic resources hat apply. an outline Avoid relevant keywords. Use the Advanced search feature of your search engine. Try synonyms and variations on words. Use verbs as search words. Use wildcards How are online encyclopedias like Wikipedia useful to business researchers? Online encyclopedias are not at all useful to business researchers. They provide comprehensive, credible data compiled by experts. They provide initial background information on topics that require more in-depth research. You can gather primary data from firsthand experience by using surveys, interviews, observation, or experimentation. You will need primary data to provide a complete picture. Familiarize yourself with methods for generating and using primary data, and decide what you will do to avoid researcher bias.