But it is time well spent if the problem is correctly defined. A situation analysis is an analysis of information inside the organization and in already published sources. It can be useful when the problem has begun to surface. A complete commitment to a particular problem is not necessary yet. This reevaluation should be continuous.
Primary data is information which is gathered specifically to solve a current problem.
It must be emphasized that too often researchers rush out to gather primary data when there is already a plentiful supply of secondary information. During the informal investigation , the researcher is still trying to define the problem and develop hypotheses. The virtues of the informal investigation are that it takes little time and can be very informative. Moreover, it is inexpensive compared with a large-scale survey. On the basis of the information gathered in a situation analysis and informal investigation, the researcher should now be developing some specific hypotheses.