How do you communicate and present your secondary research findings to your stakeholders?

1 Define your research objectives and scope

Before you start collecting and analyzing secondary data, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with your research, and what are the boundaries and limitations of your project. This will help you narrow down your sources, select the most appropriate data, and avoid getting overwhelmed by too much information. It will also help you explain to your stakeholders why you chose certain sources and methods, and how they relate to your research objectives and questions.

2 Evaluate your sources and data quality

Not all secondary data is created equal. Some sources may be more reliable, relevant, and recent than others. Some data may be more accurate, consistent, and complete than others. You need to evaluate your sources and data quality based on criteria such as authority, credibility, timeliness, coverage, and bias. You also need to acknowledge any gaps, limitations, or discrepancies in your data, and how they may affect your findings and conclusions. By doing so, you can demonstrate your critical thinking and analytical skills, and increase the trustworthiness of your research.

3 Use appropriate analytical methods and tools

Depending on the type, format, and purpose of your secondary data, you may need to use different analytical methods and tools to process, organize, and interpret it. For example, you may need to use descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, or content analysis to summarize, compare, or explore your data. You may also need to use software or applications such as Excel, SPSS, or NVivo to facilitate your data analysis. You need to explain to your stakeholders what methods and tools you used, why you used them, and how they helped you answer your research questions.

4 Visualize and communicate your findings

One of the most important aspects of secondary research is how you present and communicate your findings to your stakeholders. You need to use clear, concise, and engaging language, and avoid jargon, technical terms, or acronyms that may confuse your audience. You also need to use visual aids such as charts, graphs, tables, or infographics to illustrate your data and highlight the key points. You need to tailor your presentation to your audience's needs, interests, and expectations, and focus on the implications and recommendations of your research.

5 Cite your sources and references

Finally, you need to acknowledge and cite your sources and references properly, according to the style and format required by your organization or industry. This will help you avoid plagiarism, show respect for the original authors and publishers, and enhance the credibility and authority of your research. You also need to provide a list of references or a bibliography at the end of your report or presentation, so that your stakeholders can check or verify your sources and data if needed.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?