What is the term for data collected specifically for a research project?

The term for data collected specifically for a research project is primary research. This type of data is gathered directly from original sources to address specific research objectives. Primary research can involve various methodologies such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, and experiments, which allow researchers to obtain firsthand information that is tailored to their research questions.

Using primary research is particularly advantageous when existing data does not fully meet the needs of the project, or when the researcher seeks to explore new trends, opinions, or behaviors that have not been previously documented. The data collected through primary research provides unique insights that are directly relevant to the researcher's specific objectives, making it an invaluable resource in comprehensive marketing studies and data collection.

In contrast, external data refers to pre-existing information collected by others, typically available through public sources or databases, while secondary research involves the analysis of data that has already been collected for some other purpose. Operational data relates to the activities and processes of an organization, focusing on internal operations rather than specific research inquiries. Therefore, primary research is distinguished by its focus on new, original data tailored to the research project's goals.