Recognizing, Accepting, and Incorporating the Strengths and Weaknesses of Secondary Data and Analysis: Studying How Family Life Influences the Teaching Practices of Higher Education Faculty

Abstract

This case study describes a research project that used a secondary data set entitled “The National Survey of Postsecondary Faculty, 2004” (NSOPF:04). These data allowed us to study how the family lives of higher education faculty in the United States influence their classroom teaching practices. More importantly for students, we use this data set and our research to provide an overview of the characteristics of secondary data and how these characteristics systematically and structurally influence important research decisions. We also discuss the different research approaches associated with secondary data analysis. This case study traces our research project from the very beginning conceptualization until eventual publication.

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