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business plan for small scale mining

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Business Plan for Small Scale Mining Entrepreneur

Recent estimates show that small-scale, entrepreneurial mining operations produce around 20 percent of the world’s gold, 20 percent of the total diamond weight, and about 80 percent of usable sapphires. 

Small Scale Mining Business Plan

Business planning is what we specialize in at wise.

Wisebusinessplans, a global leader in the business planning community, is now assisting small mine owners and operators in the quest for steady, sustainable growth through the use of effective Small Scale Mining Business plans  and goals mapping options.

“A small mining operation can make a healthy profit when managed carefully by following specific planning practices that lead to earnings protection and secure long-term business life.

” said Joseph Ferriolo,  Director of Wisebusinessplans.  “At Wise, we look at each client as an individual, one whose interests, ideas, and goals are unique to that business and we work one-on-one with every client.”

Wisebusinessplans’ custom-crafted mining business plan is tailor-made to showcase startup or expansion concepts as companies seek to acquire funding from investors , look to raise capital through venture capitalists, or work with private investors.

All plans include market research and custom financials that are developed for each individual company. Design experts give every mining business plan a unique, professional look and each client is entitled to a free revision to ensure the plan is done right.”

We feel privileged to assist men and women in the business world, such as mining entrepreneurs, who are working hard to not only make a better life for themselves but are also creating employment opportunities for others in their communities,” said Ferriolo.

Firms in this industry provide support services, on a fee or contract basis, for mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction. Firms may also provide services such as drilling ; taking core samples and making geological observations at prospective mine sites. Download our mining business plan sample and related business plan sample here.

Wisebusinessplans , staffed with professional MBA Business Plan writers , researchers, and financial experts, is a trusted partner for businesses across a broad spectrum of products and services. Our mission is to empower our clients to make the best possible business decisions, boost company performance and facilitate their funding success by laying the groundwork for strong businesses that excite, inspire and retain talented and exceptional employees.

A business plan for a small-scale mining entrepreneur should include sections on the executive summary, company overview, market analysis, marketing and sales strategies, operational plan, financial projections, and risk management. It should also outline the entrepreneur’s goals, target minerals, mining methods, and environmental considerations.

Market analysis for a small-scale mining business involves researching the demand for specific minerals, identifying target customers or industries, assessing competition, and understanding market trends and pricing dynamics. This information helps in determining the viability and profitability of the mining venture.

The operational plan should cover aspects such as the location and accessibility of the mining site, equipment and machinery needed, workforce requirements, safety protocols, environmental considerations, mining processes, and extraction techniques. It should also address permits, licenses, and compliance with mining regulations.

Financial projections for a small-scale mining business involve estimating startup costs, including equipment, permits, and infrastructure expenses. Additionally, projecting revenues based on expected mineral extraction volumes, pricing, and market demand. Cost considerations, such as labor, maintenance, and operational expenses, should also be factored in.

Common risks in small-scale mining include geological uncertainties, price volatility, regulatory changes, environmental impacts, and safety hazards. Risk management strategies may include conducting thorough geological surveys, maintaining diverse mineral portfolios, staying informed about market trends, complying with regulations, implementing safety protocols, and developing contingency plans for unexpected events.

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Gold Mining Business Plan [Sample Template]

By: Author Tony Martins Ajaero

Home » Business Plans » Mining Sector

Do you want to start a gold mining company? If YES, here is a detailed sample small scale gold mining business plan template & feasibility report.

There are money spinning businesses that are monopolized by wealthy people and accredited investors and one of such businesses is operating a gold ore mine. The gold ore mining business is indeed a profitable business, but you must be ready to scale through very high barriers before launching this type of business.

If you have conducted your market research and feasibility studies, the next step to follow is to write a detailed blueprint of how you intend raising your seed capital, setting up the business, managing the flow of the business, sorting out tax and marketing your services amongst others.

Below is a sample gold mining company business plan template that will help you successfully launch your own business;

A Sample Gold Mining Business Plan Template

1. industry overview.

Players in the Gold and Silver Ore Mining industry primarily mine gold and silver-bearing ores. Mining activities include the development of mine sites and the on-site processing of ore into a concentrate or bullion. Gold and silver ore mining companies typically retain ownership of the semi-processed gold or silver products and pay for further refining on a toll-charge basis.

If you are an observer of the Gold and Silver Ore Mining industry, you will notice that the industry revenue is largely a function of production volume and commodity prices. For the Gold and Silver Ore Mining industry, output volumes and sales prices for both gold and silver have fallen over the past five years, leading to significant industry contraction.

Meanwhile, demand from manufacturers of electrical equipment, electronic products and jewelry, which comprises the industry’s primary markets, has stagnated or even declined over the past five years as a result of high import penetration and input costs. Overall, industry revenue is expected to decline over the five years to 2017.

In the united states of America, the industry generates over $9 billion annually from more than 162 gold and silver ore mining companies scattered all around the country. The industry is responsible for the employment of over 14,282 people.

Experts project the industry to grow at a -9.0 percent annual rate. Barrick, Kinross Gold and Newmont are the market leaders in this industry in the United States of America; they have the lion market share in the industry.

A recent report published by IBISWorld shows that the five years to 2017 have been volatile for the Gold and Silver Ore Mining industry. The report further stated that the industry revenue spiked until 2012, proving this industry to be one of the few that benefited from the financial crisis, as well as the years of economic instability that followed.

In times of economic turmoil, investors look to buy safe-haven assets such as gold and silver, causing gold and silver prices to surge. This helped industry revenue to grow through to 2012. In fact, strong demand from domestic and international investors drove gold prices to all-time highs.

Furthermore, an undersupply of gold due to decreased industry production in the 2000s further contributed to the spike in prices.

If you are considering starting a gold mining business whether on a small scale or on a large scale, then you should ensure that you obtain all the necessary permits from the local, state and federal government . The truth is that this type of business does pretty well when it is strategically positioned.

In summary, gold mining business is a profitable business venture and it is open for any aspiring entrepreneur to come in and establish his or her business; you can choose to start on a small scale on a large scale with robust distribution networks all across the United States of America and other countries of the world.

2. Executive Summary

TTK® Gold Mining Company is a standard and licensed gold and silver mining company that will be based in the Boise Basin in Boise County – Idaho, USA but we will own.

Our business goal as a gold mining company is to become the number one choice of jewelry making companies and other companies that make use of gold and silver in the United States and other countries of the world. As a business, we are willing to go the extra mile to invest in owning our own environmentally friendly gold and silver mines and also to hire efficient and dedicated employees.

We have been able to secure permits and licenses from all relevant departments both at the local government and state level in the United States of America. TTK® Gold Mining Company is set to redefine how a standard gold mining business should be run all across the world. This is why we have put plans in place for continuous training of all our staff .

The demand for gold and silver is not going to plummet any time soon which is why we have put plans in place to continue to explore all available market around the United States and other countries of the world. In the nearest future, we will ensure that we create a wide range of distribution channels all across the United States of America and other countries of the world.

TTK® Gold Mining Company will at all-time demonstrate her commitment to sustainability, both individually and as a firm, by actively participating in our communities and integrating sustainable business practices wherever possible. We will ensure that we hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards by meeting our customers’ needs precisely and completely.

TTK® Gold Mining Company is a partnership business that will be jointly owned by Tony Kenneth, Tyson Barker and Karis Murphy.

Tony Kenneth who is the Chief Executive Officer of the Company has a Degree in Mining Technology with over 10 years’ experience working in related industry as a senior manager cum mining engineer prior to starting TTK® Gold Mining Company. He will be working with a team of professionals to build the business and grow it to enviably heights.

3. Our Product and Service Offerings

TTK® Gold Mining Company is established with the aim of maximizing profits in the gold and silver mining industry. We want to compete favorably with leaders in the industry which is why we have but in place a competent team that will ensure that our products are of high standard.

We will work hard to ensure that TTK® Gold Mining Company is not just accepted in the United States of America, but also in other countries of the world where we intend supplying our products. Our products are listed below;

• Gold ore mining
• Silver ore mining
• Gold ore beneficiation
• Silver ore beneficiation
• gold and silver bullion , ore and concentrates

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

• Our vision as a gold mining company is to own gold and silver mines all across the United States of America and other countries of the world; we want to become the number one brand in the gold and silver mining industry.
• Our mission is to establish a standard gold mining company that in our own capacity will favorably compete with leaders in the industry at the global stage. We want to build a gold mining company that will be listed amongst the top 5 gold mining companies in the world.

Our Business Structure

As part of our plan to build a top flight gold mining company in Boise County – Idaho that will favorably compete with leaders in the industry, we have perfected plans to get it right from the onset which is why we are going the extra mile to ensure that we have competent employees to occupy all the available positions in our company.

In view of that, we have decided to hire qualified and competent hands to occupy the following positions at TTK® Gold Mining Company;

• Chief Executive Officer (Owner)
• Gold Mine Manager
• Human Resources and Admin Manager
• Sales and Marketing Officer
• Accountants/Cashiers

Gold and Silver Mining Casual Workers

• Truck Drivers
• Customer Service Executives

5. Job Roles and Responsibilities

Chief Executive Officer – CEO (Owner):

• Increases management’s usefulness by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, and disciplining managers; collaborating values, strategies, and objectives; assigning accountabilities; preparing, monitoring, and appraising job results; developing incentives; developing a climate for offering information and opinions; providing educational opportunities.
• Answerable for fixing prices and signing business deals
• Responsible for providing direction for the business
• Makes, connects, and implements the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
• Accountable for signing checks and documents on behalf of the company
• Evaluates the success of the organization

Gold Mining Site Manager

• Oversees the smooth running of operations in the mine
• Makes sure that quality is maintained at all times
• Maps out strategies that will lead to efficiency amongst workers in the organization
• Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of the workforce
• Ensures operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; calling for repairs.
• Ensures that our gold and silver mining site meets the expected safety and health standard at all times.
• Responsible for overseeing the smooth running of HR and administrative tasks for the organization
• Defines job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
• Carries out induction for new team members
• Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of employees
• Oversees the smooth running of the daily business activities.

Sales and Marketing Manager

• Manages external research and coordinate all the internal sources of information to retain the organizations’ best customers and attract new ones
• Models demographic information and analyze the volumes of transactional data generated by customer purchases
• Identifies, prioritize, and reach out to new partners, and business opportunities et al
• Responsible for supervising implementation, advocate for the customer’s needs, and communicate with customers
• Develops, executes and evaluates new plans for expanding sales
• Documents all customer contact and information
• Represents the company in strategic meetings
• Helps to increase sales and growth for the company
• Liable for operating excavators and other machines in the gold and silver mining site
• Handles the mining of gold and silver
• Assist in loading and offloading of our gold and silver into and out of the trucks

Accountant/Cashier

• Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
• Provides managements with financial analyses, development budgets, and accounting reports; analyzes financial feasibility for the most complex proposed projects; conducts market research to forecast trends and business conditions.
• Responsible for financial forecasting and risks analysis.
• Performs cash management , general ledger accounting, and financial reporting
• Responsible for developing and managing financial systems and policies
• Responsible for administering payrolls
• Ensures compliance with taxation legislation
• Handles all financial transactions for the organization
• Serves as internal auditor for the organization
• Assists in loading and unloading gold and silver et al
• Maintains a logbook of their driving activities to ensure compliance with federal regulations governing the rest and work periods for operators.
• Keeps a record of vehicle inspections and make sure the truck is equipped with safety equipment
• Inspects vehicles for mechanical items and safety issues and perform preventative maintenance
• Complies with truck driving rules and regulations (size, weight, route designations, parking, break periods etc.) as well as with company policies and procedures
• Reports defects, accidents or violations

Client Service Executive

• Ensures that all contacts with clients (e-mail, walk-In center, SMS or phone) provides the client with a personalized customer service experience of the highest level
• Through interaction with customers on the phone, uses every opportunity to build client’s interest in the company’s products and services
• Manages administrative duties assigned by the human resources and admin manager in an effective and timely manner
• Consistently stays abreast of any new information on the organizations’ products, promotional campaigns etc. to ensure accurate and helpful information is supplied to customers when they make enquiries (answer customer queries regarding our gold and silver ore mining business)
• Finds out the customer’s needs, recommend, select and help locate the right merchandise, describe a product’s features and benefits.
• make suggestions and encourage purchase of products

6. SWOT Analysis

Due to our drive for excellence when it comes to running a standard gold mining company, we were able to engage some of the finest business consultants in the United States of America to look through our business concept and together we were able to critically examine the prospect of the business and to assess ourselves to be sure we have what it takes to run a standard gold mining business that can compete favorably in the industry.

In view of that, we were able to take stock of our strengths, our weakness, our opportunities and also the threats that we are likely going to be exposed to in the United States of America. Here is a of what we got from the critically conducted SWOT Analysis for TTK® Gold Mining Company;

Our strength lies in the fact that we have state of the art gold and silver mining equipment and trucks that has positioned us to meet the demand of our clients even if the demand tripled overnight.

Another factor that counts to our advantage is the background of our Chief Executive Office; he has a robust experience in the industry and also a pretty good academic qualification to match the experience acquired which has placed him amongst the top flight players in the gold and silver mining industry.

We are not ignoring the fact that our team of highly qualified and dedicated workers will also serve as strength for our organization.

We do not take for granted the facts that we have weaknesses. In fact, the reality that we are setting up a gold mining company in the United States might pose a little challenge. In essence our chosen location might be our weakness.

• Opportunities:

The opportunities available to us are unlimited. There are loads of jewelry making companies and other manufacturing companies that make use of raw gold all across the globe and all what we are going to do to push our products to them is already perfected.

The threat that is likely going to confront us is the fact that we are competing with already established gold mining companies in the United States and other countries of the world. Of course, they will compete with us in winning over the available market. Another threat that we are likely going to face is unfavorable government policies and economic downturn.

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

• Market Trends

Gold and silver mining is a lucrative business in the United States and Canada and in looking at the trends of these mega countries over the course of gold’s bull, it is apparent that the results vary quite substantially; and China and Russia that have experienced the biggest growth over this stretch.

China in particular has carved out an incredible growth story, with its production volume up a staggering 92 percent since 2001.

Talking about the two North American land giants, their gold-mining trends have been ugly over the last decade or so. Incredibly, both the US and Canada have seen output fall by nearly a third to 2011’s respective tallies of 237mt and 110mt.

Their mature gold-mining infrastructures were just decimated by the secular bear that preceded the current bull. Up until the 1990s the US and Canada’s gold-mining industries operated like well-oiled machines, with the miners consistently putting forth sizeable capital towards exploration and development.

Exploration was successful in renewing and growing the reserves that were being mined, and continual expansion and new development sustained and even grew production. It is common trend in the gold and silver ore mining line of business to find mining companies positioning their business in locations and communities where they can easily have access to mines and of course cheap labor.

If you make the mistake of positioning this type of business in a location where you would have to travel a distance before you can access gold and silver mines, then you would have to struggle to make profits and maintain your overhead and logistics.

Also, another trend in this line of business is that most registered and well organized mining companies look beyond the market within their locations or state; they ensure that they strike business deals with leading jewelry making companies in the United States of America and other countries of the world.

The truth is that if as a gold mining company you are able to become a vendor to one or more jewelry making giants in the United States of America or in other countries of the world, you will always continue to smile to the bank.

8. Our Target Market

When it comes to supplying product from gold and silver mines, there is indeed a well-defined market. This goes to show that the target market for products from gold mining companies is far reaching. In view of that, we have conducted our market research and we have ideas of what our target market would be expecting from us. We are in business to engage in supply of raw gold and silver to the following organizations;

• Jewelry production companies
• Electronic components manufacturing companies
• Art and culture companies
• Gold and silver merchant

Our Competitive Advantage

Some of our competitive advantages are availability of resource, ability to forward sell production when appropriate and of course the ability to comply with environmental laws.

As a standard and licensed gold mining company, we know that gaining a competitive edge requires a detailed analysis of the demographics of the surrounding area and the nature of the existing competitors. And even if you are successful at first, new competitors could enter your market at any time to steal your regular customers.

Hence we will not hesitate to adopt successful and workable strategies from our competitors. Another competitive advantage that we have is the vast experience of our management team; we have people on board who understand how to grow a business from the scratch to becoming a national phenomenon.

Our large and robust distribution network and of course our excellent customer service culture will definitely count as a strong strength for the business.

Lastly, our employees will be well taken care of, and their welfare package will be among the best within our category in the industry, meaning that they will be more than willing to build the business with us and help deliver our set goals and achieve all our aims and objectives.

We will also give good working conditions and commissions to freelance sales agents that we will recruit from time to time.

9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

• Sources of Income

TTK® Gold Mining Company will generate income by simply supplying the following;

10. Sales Forecast

One thing is certain when it comes to gold and silver mining, if your business is strategically positioned and you have good relationship with players in the jewelry manufacturing industry, you will always attract customers cum sales and that will sure translate to increase in revenue generation for the business.

We are well positioned to take on the available market in and around the United States of America and we are quite optimistic that we will meet our set target of generating enough profits from the first six months of operation and grow the business and our clientele base.

We have been able to critically examine the gold and silver ore mining line of business, we have analyzed our chances in the industry and we have been able to come up with the following sales forecast. The sales projections are based on information gathered on the field and some assumptions that are peculiar to startups in the United States of America.

Below are the sales projections for TTK® Gold Mining Company, it is based on the location of our business and other factors as it relates to small scale and medium scale gold and silver mining company startups in the United States of America;

• First Fiscal Year: $900,000
• Second Fiscal Year: $2 million
• Third Fiscal Year: $4.5 million

N.B : This projection was done based on what is obtainable in the industry and with the assumption that there won’t be any major economic meltdown and there won’t be any major competitor offering same product and customer care services as we do within same location. Please note that the above projection might be lower and at the same time it might be higher.

• Marketing Strategy and Sales Strategy

Before choosing a location to start TTK® Gold Mining Company, we conducted thorough market survey and feasibility studies in order for us to penetrate the available market in the United States of America. We have detailed information and data that we were able to utilize to structure our business to compete with other gold and silver mining companies.

We hired experts who have good understanding of the gold and silver ore mining line of business to help us develop marketing strategies that will help us achieve our business goal of winning a larger percentage of the available market. TTK® Gold Mining Company will adopt the following sales and marketing approach to sell our raw gold and silver;

• Introduce our business by sending introductory letters to production companies and other stakeholders in and around the United States of America
• List our business and products on yellow pages’ ads (local directories)
• Leverage on the internet to promote our product cum business
• Engage in direct marketing and sales
• Encourage the use of Word of mouth marketing (referrals)

11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy

Regardless of the fact that our gold mining company can favorably compete with other leading mining companies in the United States of America and in any part of the world, we will still go ahead to intensify publicity for all our products and brand.

TTK® Gold Mining Company has a long term plan of exporting our product all across the United States of America and other countries of the world. This is why we will deliberately build our brand to be well accepted in Boise County – Idaho before venturing out to other cities all across the United States of America and other countries of the world.

As a matter of fact, our publicity and advertising strategy is not solely for selling our products but to also effectively communicate our brand. Here are the platforms we intend leveraging on to promote and advertise TTK® Gold Mining Company;

• Place adverts on both print (community based newspapers and magazines) and electronic media platforms
• Sponsor relevant community programs
• Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, et al to promote our brand
• Ensure that all our staff members wear our customized clothes, and all our official cars and distribution trucks are customized and well branded.

12. Our Pricing Strategy

At TTK® Gold Mining Company we will keep the prices of our products below the average market rate by keeping our overhead low and by collecting payment in advance from well – established jewelry manufacturing companies that would require constant supply of raw gold and silver.

• Payment Options

The payment policy adopted by TTK® Gold Mining Company is all inclusive because we are quite aware that different customers prefer different payment options as it suits them but at the same time, we will ensure that we abide by the financial rules and regulation of the United States of America. Here are the payment options that TTK® Gold Mining Company will make available to her clients;

• Payment via bank transfer
• Payment via online bank transfer
• Payment via check
• Payment via bank draft

In view of the above, we have chosen banking platforms that will enable our clients make payment for our gold and silver without any stress on their part. Our bank account numbers will be made available on our website and promotional materials.

13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)

From our market survey and feasibility studies, we have been able to come up with a detailed budget of how to achieve our aim of establishing a standard and highly competitive gold mining company in the United States of America and here are the key areas where we will spend our startup capital on;

• The total fee for registering the business in the United States of America – $750.
• Legal expenses for obtaining licenses and permits as well as the accounting services (software, P.O.S machines and other software) – $3,300.
• Marketing promotion expenses for the grand opening of TTK® Gold Mining Company in the amount of $3,500 and as well as flyer printing (2,000 flyers at $0.04 per copy) for the total amount of $3,580.
• The cost for hiring business consultant – $2,500.
• Insurance (general liability, workers’ compensation and property casualty) coverage at a total premium – ,400 .
• The cost for payment of rent for a gold and silver ore mine – $500,000 (Per Annum)
• The cost for acquiring gold and silver ore mine operating license fee – $500,000
• Other start-up expenses including stationery ( $500 ) and phone and utility deposits ( $2,500 ).
• Operational cost for the first 3 months (salaries of employees, payments of bills et al) – $150,000
• The cost for start-up inventory (gold and silver ore mining equipment, trucks and other related gold and silver mining devices) – $250,000
• The cost of launching a website – $600
• Miscellaneous – $5,000

We would need an estimate of two million dollars ( $2 million ) to successfully set up a standard and highly competitive gold mining company in the United States of America.

Generating Startup Capital for TTK® Gold Mining Company

No matter how fantastic your business idea might be, if you don’t have the required money to finance the business, the business might not become a reality. Finance is a very important factor when it comes to starting a gold and silver mining business.

TTK® Gold Mining Company is a partnership business that is owned and financed by Tony Kenneth, Tyson Barker and Karis Murphy. They do not intend to welcome any external business partner which is why they decided to restrict the sourcing of startup capital to 3 major sources.

• Generate part of the startup capital from personal savings and sell of stocks
• Source for soft loans from family members and friends
• Apply for loan from the Bank

N.B: We have been able to generate about $500, 000 ( Personal savings $400, 000 and soft loan from family members $100, 000 ) and we are at the final stages of obtaining a loan facility of $1.5 million from our bank. All the papers and documents have been signed and submitted, the loan has been approved and any moment from now our account will be credited with the amount.

14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

The future of a business lies in the number of loyal customers that they have the capacity and competence of their employees, their investment strategy and their business structure. If all of these factors are missing from a business, then it won’t be too long before the business close shop.

One of our major goals of starting TTK® Gold Mining Company is to build a business that will survive off its own cash flow without the need for injecting finance from external sources once the business is officially running.

We know that one of the ways of gaining approval and winning customers over is to supply our raw gold and silver a little bit cheaper than what is obtainable in the market and we are well prepared to survive on lower profit margin for a while.

TTK® Gold Mining Company will make sure that the right foundation, structures and processes are put in place to ensure that our staff welfare are well taken of. Our company’s corporate culture is designed to drive our business to greater heights and training and retraining of our workforce is at the top burner.

As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of three years or more. We know that if that is put in place, we will be able to successfully hire and retain the best hands we can get in the industry; they will be more committed to help us build the business of our dreams.

Check List/Milestone

• Business Name Availability Check: Completed
• Business Registration: Completed
• Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts: Completed
• Securing Point of Sales (POS) Machines: Completed
• Opening Mobile Money Accounts: Completed
• Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
• Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress
• Application for business license and permit to operate gold and silver ore mines in the United Stated of America: Completed
• Purchase of Insurance for the Business: Completed
• Leasing of a facility and renovating the facility as well: In Progress
• Conducting Feasibility Studies: Completed
• Generating capital from family members: Completed
• Applications for Loan from the bank: In Progress
• Writing of Business Plan: Completed
• Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
• Drafting of Contract Documents and other relevant Legal Documents: In Progress
• Design of The Company’s Logo: Completed
• Printing of Promotional Materials: In Progress
• Recruitment of employees: In Progress
• Purchase of the needed gold and silver mining machines and equipment, furniture, racks, shelves, computers, electronic appliances, office appliances and CCTV: In progress
• Creating Official Website for the Company: In Progress
• Creating Awareness for the business both online and around the community: In Progress
• Health and Safety and Fire Safety Arrangement (License): Secured
• Launching party planning: In Progress
• Establishing business relationship with Jewelry production companies and other stakeholders: In Progress
• Purchase of tippers and delivery trucks: Completed

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Everything You Need to Start & Grow a Business

Start Your Own Small Mining Company: An In-depth Guide

Looking to start a mining company but not sure where to begin? Want to unlock the commercial potential of natural minerals and rocks in your area? This article is here to help. From owning a mine to selling resources , we’ll provide you with the guidance you need to launch a successful venture.

While mining is a risky industry, with constantly fluctuating commodity prices, our tips on consistent hard work, thorough planning, and a dash of luck will set you on the path to profitability. Ready to learn more? Keep reading.

Assess Your Expertise

Assess your mining expertise to see if you’re ready to lead a mine to success. Essential skills include knowledge of environmental sciences, geology, engineering, mathematics, and related fields, as well as the operation and maintenance of mining equipment.

Gain hands-on experience through work at a mine before launching your own business venture. Ensure you have what it takes before starting out. Be sure to learn new skills in marketing and promoting your business to stand out from the rest.

Secure Financing for Your Mining Company

After assessing your expertise level in mining, it is essential to secure financing for your small-scale mining company from potential investors willing to make an initial investment into the venture capital fund needed for start-up costs such as land acquisition fees, permits & licenses fees and purchasing equipment & supplies as well as covering operational costs during the first years of business operations until revenue streams begin to flow in consistently over time from sales proceeds of mined minerals/resources.

It is important to note that since this type of business involves high-risk investments, it would be wise to approach bank loan officers who are more experienced with financing miners versus traditional lending institutions who are unfamiliar with this industry sector’s specific needs & requirements.

Establish a Business Plan for the Mining Company

After securing funding for start-up costs such as land acquisition fees and purchasing equipment & supplies, as well as covering operational costs during the first few years of business operations until revenue streams begin to flow in consistently over time from sales proceeds of mined minerals/resources, develop an effective business plan by considering factors like market analysis, competition & pricing strategies, financial projections, and operational management.

A well-planned business plan can help to ensure your small mining company’s success as it will serve as a guide for decision-making during the early stages of operations and over time.

Acquire Equipment & Supplies

Once your business plan is complete, purchase all necessary equipment & supplies needed to operate your small-scale mining business, such as drills, ventilation systems, and other machinery. Additionally, you should also consider investing in safety gear for staff operating these machines, such as helmets, overalls, and protective gloves. Invest in a Steel Roller to make your operation run smoothly.

Starting a small mining company requires dedication, research, and hard work. It is important to understand the industry you are entering by researching the types of minerals or resources available in your area as well as applicable laws and regulations related to mining. Goodluck

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Mining Business Plan

The following document outlines a mining business proposal to design and construct a free standing toll plant facility, known in this document as Peru Toll Treatment (PTT), in southern Peru to accommodate the needs of a growing quantity of small scale miners who produce up to 14 percent of the country’s annual gold production. The plan includes the basic design criteria on which the plant will be built, the model for generating revenue and a detailed annual cash flow forecast for the proposed operation for a period of ten years.

The proposed 7.5 tonne per hour plant will cost approximately $2.9 million to design (including $473,000 in VAT taxes which will be reimbursed from revenues), construct and startup and will generate revenues by providing a custom milling facility for small producers who sell their production to the plant. This business opportunity does not include any involvement in mining or the production of mineral. It only involves the purchase and treatment of gold minerals. While the market for such a plant can easily accommodate a 350 tonne per day operation the business plan is based on processing 150 tonnes per day only with the ability to later expand to multiple plants of 350 tonnes per day each.

The plan calls for raising the $2.9 million from public equity financings. Once in operation, the operating company will retain $250,000 for working capital and all subsequent profits will be paid to the shareholders every 3 months as a dividend. The cash flow model is for a single plant of 150 tonnes per day, calculated on an after tax (Peruvian fiscal regime) basis for a 10 year project life. On a project basis using a $1500 per ounce gold price and a discount rate of 10 percent the project will generate a net present value of almost $22.0 million. The payout of the capital investment on a project basis is 1.1 years and the calculated rate of return is over 200%. Testing the project economics against changes in the primary input variables (capital cost, operating cost and gold price) indicates that the project is very robust and even with significant increases in costs or reductions in revenue sources the project has a positive rate of return.

How to Start a Mining Business for Gold & other Metals

Appendix 5 of this Business Plan includes expressions of interest from two formal miners who are 100% owners of their concessions and can offer 450 tonnes per day of production. PTT has visited one of the mines and confirms the potential for a 350 tonne per day operation. In order to facilitate the commencement of mining production PTT intends to rent $100,000 of mining equipment to these owners as part of a preferred mineral provider position. This cost has been included in the project economics.

PTT believes that health, environmental and social improvements will accrue to the informal miners in those areas of Peru in which the Company operates and these are important aspects of the expansion phase of the project. Current informal mining practice involves the uncontrolled use of the toxic substances mercury and sodium cyanide to obtain the gold at very low recovery rates. Many of the informal miners are, in effect, stealing the gold from the government or legitimate concession holders causing significant social disruption in the affected areas of the country. It is, therefore, an important aspect of this business plan to reduce the negative health and environmental aspects of informal mining activity by offering an advanced technology which safely removes up to 90% of the gold from the ores resulting in a much higher payback to the people who mine the ore. Purchasing gold ores from informal miners who do not own their concessions is illegal in Peru and rightfully so. It is the intention of PTT to work with informal miners to ensure that they legitimize their activities by entering into registered contracts with the owners of the mineral resources.

There are risks to the project but most can be mitigated by doing appropriate engineering prior to plant design and construction. The plant will use standard gold processing technology and country/political risk is the greatest threat to the project. Peru has signed free trade agreements with both Canada and the United States which is normalizing its business activities.

Overview of Peru

Mineral Wealth

From the days of the Spanish conquest, foreigners have come in search of the products of Peru’s mines and the mining sector has been a core part of the economy up until the modern era. Operations at the historic zinc-mining center of Cerro de Pasco began in 1905 and the Metallurgical Complex at La Oroya started production in 1922. Much of Peru’s rail network was created to serve the needs of the mining industry. Nevertheless, relatively little exploration was carried out in the 1960s and 1970s and development of the mining sector came to a halt. Peru’s favorable geology has been under-exploited and while reserves have been exploited intensively in the US, Canada and Chile, to date only about 12 per cent of Peru’s mineral resources have been identified. Peril has the capacity to double or triple current levels of output, especially in base metals. In all, Peru holds about 16 per cent of the world’s known mineral reserves, including 15 per cent of copper and 7 per cent of zinc reserves.

Mining activity contributes 45% of foreign currency to the national economy which implies investment commitments, promotion of a modern managerial philosophy, increased responsibility towards safety and care of the environment as well as improved rural social development.

While mining provides relatively few jobs, it is vital to Peru’s economy in other ways. Thanks both to high mineral prices and rising output, mineral exports were up by almost half last year, and accounted for 55% of total exports. Mining brings in 29% of total tax revenues. Of this money, the government last year returned $138m as a local royalty to mining areas, most of which are otherwise poor and remote.

As a result of its favourable geology and improving economy Peru is taking a dominant position in the production and sale of many base and precious metals. It occupies first place in Latin America in zinc, tin, lead and gold; second place in silver and copper; fifth in iron. In the context of world mining production, Peru is in fifth place in gold, second place in silver, third place in tin, fourth place in zinc and lead, fifth place in copper and twenty-fifth place in iron as shown on Table 1 below.

Table 1: Peruvian Minerals Production

Business Climate

Since the constitutional and business/economic reforms of the early 1990’s Peru has enjoyed a robust economy with strong economic growth tied closely to the business cycles of its primary metals production. The country allows any person or company to create and own a Peruvian entity and all profits can be repatriated to another jurisdiction free of additional levies.

The tax code is relatively simple and taxes are calculated as 30% of net profits after depreciation. Machinery and equipment are all subject to depreciation on a straight line basis and the majority of items are considered to have a 10 year life. A recently introduced royalty provision requires an additional payment to the government depending upon mine production level – the higher the production level, the higher the royalty to a maximum of 3% of sales. Currently small producers (less than 350 tonnes per day) are exempt from this royalty.

Labour laws are not restrictive and employee burden is approximately 30% of base salary. Unskilled labour is relatively inexpensive and university trained and skilled trades labour are paid commensurate with the level of training. Skilled and professional talent exists in abundance and is of a high quality.

Political Stability

Peru has a long history of political instability. In 1993 Alberto Fujimori enacted several far-reaching legal and constitutional reforms which have stabilized the political situation. Although he left the country under a cloud of suspicion in 2001, his legacy is a well performing economy and a gradually improving jurisprudence and governing infrastructure. As the government bureaucracy becomes more stable and professional the incidence of corruption is diminishing. Corruption remains an unfortunate fact of life in Peru but it has noticeably declined in the past 10 years.

The governments of Alejandro Toledo and Alan Garcia have been much maligned but the outgoing president has turned over to the new president (on July 28, 2011) an enviable economic record and a strong financial position.

There is a confidence in the Peruvian economy as it moves forward buoyed by continued high commodity prices and a wider spreading wealth across all social classes. Many of functionaries have made considerable personal advances on the basis of the resurging mining economy so it is expected that the new government will be friendly to the mining industry and investment.

Social Development and Corporate Social Responsibility

A significant benefit of this business plan, apart from the very robust economics, is the opportunity to advance the indigenous mining industry through improving the health and environmental impacts as well as obtaining a higher recovery of gold from the mined rock returning a greater economic benefit to the mineral owners – the people of Peru. PTT has commitment letters for 450 tonnes per day of mineral production from two legitimate, small scale miners and as it expands production beyond this, its policies will have beneficial impacts as follows;

Health Issues

Informal and small miners in Peru currently do not have the financial capacity to install modern, large capacity plants. As a result, the mine producers crush the ore in stone grinding mills called quimbaletes and then agglomerate the gold in the crushed material with natural mercury. Not only is the process very labour intensive with low productivity, it also leads to significant health problems. In order to release the gold from the mercury amalgam, the material is heated on open fires to boil off the mercury creating a mercury poisoning risk for anyone nearby including children. The mercury vapour eventually cools and condenses on the ground to create an ongoing health hazard.

In those cases in which sodium cyanide is used to leach the gold from the ore there is the additional health problem due to cyanide spills which may contaminate local water supplies.

Environmental Degradation

As described above the uncontrolled use of mercury and sodium cyanide often lead to issues of significant environmental degradation. The gold mining regions of Peru are noted for the deep blue staining in areas where ore is leached in cyanide baths that are developed without due regard for the environment. The baths are rarely lined with geomembrane to prevent the liquid toxins from moving out into the rock and eventually into the nearby water courses. To argue that many of these areas are in arid zones with no natural vegetation or water courses does not obviate the fact that environmental destruction occurs when toxic materials are allowed to accumulate in surface soils.

Ore Recovery

All subsurface materials are owned by the people of Peru under the trusteeship of the Peruvian government and any practices which do not optimize the recovery of wealth from these subsurface materials denies the people of Peru their rightful share of this wealth. The antiquated processing methods described above rarely recover more than 35% to 40% of the gold from the ore material. Modern plant recovery techniques can often recover more than 90% of this same gold returning a higher value to the people of Peru.

Corporate Social Responsibility

The current state of informal mining in Peru is somewhat chaotic and in many cases, informals are, in effect, stealing ore from the concession owners who are powerless to stop them. PTT will not purchase ore from informal miners who do not have a rightful claim to the ore they are selling and will go further in attempting to bring some order to the regions in which it works by;

• Assisting informal miners to obtain concession rights to the areas they are mining if there are no pre-existing concession rights and
• Assisting informal miners who are illegally selling ore obtained from concessions that belong to third parties by obtaining agreements with the owners of the concessions. In this way the production of gold ore is legal and the concession owners will get a return for their ownership of the concession.

Thus PTT will permit informal and small scale miners to earn much greater returns on their labour (through higher recoveries of gold) with much less effort. Modern plants, built to the exacting environmental standards of the Peruvian Ministry of Energy and Mines using state of the art gold processing technologies will result in an improved environment and fewer health risks to the miners. Perhaps as important, the social chaos which characterizes many gold mining areas of Peru will become more orderly as concession owners are paid a return (royalty) on the gold mined from their concessions.

Southern Peru Gold Belt Analysis

Nazca – ocona gold belt.

The Nazca-Ocona Gold Belt is 350 km long and 40 km wide covering portions of three Departments; Ayacucho, Ica and Arequipa. It is typified by narrow, gold bearing quartz veins, which are formed in hypothermal to mesothermal environments. The mineralized structures are found in andesitic volcanic rocks and in the intrusives of the Andean Batholith. Veins found to crosscut granodiorite and diorite, tonalite or andesite often contain higher gold grades in the diorite, tonalite or andesite than in granodiorite. The mineralization is known locally as “rosario” formations due to the fact that the veins tend to narrow and widen in a regular pattern much like the beads on a rosary.

The mining activity that has developed in the Nasca-Ocona belt has largely been by artesanal methods although there are some more modern mines in the area. There exist also mining formal activities of iron and copper.

Artesanal mining is characterized by its labor intensity and lack of modern mining equipment. As a result, the miners develop lodes or veins of narrow thickness but high grade Au. The veins range in width from 30 centimeters to 1.5 meters. In some exceptional circumstances they reach up to 2 m wide. The concentrations of Au range from 15 to 150 grams per tonne (gpt).

The artesanal miners selectively extract from the lode and veins using a technique called the circado. This is essentially a resuing method whereby an opening large enough for a person to work is made alongside the vein and the ore is then slashed off the wall. This reduces dilution and the ore is removed from the opening in small canister with as much as 1.6 grams of gold per 45 kilogram canister (35 grams per tonne). The treatment of the mineral begins with the “pallaqueo”, or hand sorting to selectively upgrade the ore before being processed or sold.

The mineral extracted from high grade (> 2 grams gold (Au) / canister), is crushed and processed directly in a quimbaletes or manually operated, wetted grinding stones at a rhythm of 30 minutes per canister. While no formal reporting is done it is believed that the gold production in lca and Arequipa is 9 tonnes of dore annually.

Cyanide is sometimes used to extract the gold and the dissolved gold is recovered using activated charcoal. Typically the tails of the quimbaletes process contains important quantities of gold that can be recovered only by cyanide. The grade of the tailings ranges between 12.8 and 25.6 gpt and contains considerable quantities of mercury (introduced from mercury amalgam processes) which end up in the cyanidation tails.

Figure 2: Informal Mining in Southern Peru

The map shown above comes from information taken from the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) and includes 68 artesanal mining locations. The MEM database includes a total of 270 locations and even this is known to understate the actual number of small mining operations.

It is believed that less than one third of the mines are registered, or included in the reports of MEM. Therefore, the total material that is mined and treated is unknown. It is known, however, that the amount of informal mining activity has increased with the increasing gold price. This increases the mining potential of the zone.

Peru Small/Informal Mining Situation

Small mining in Peru is divided by MEM into two categories: traditional and artesanal. Not only is artesanal mining labour intensive with only rudimentary equipment, it is, also in general, an informal activity. Traditional mining makes use of mechanical technologies and is formally registered with the government following norms of labor relations, safety and mining hygiene, environmental requirements, the payment of taxes and reporting to the MEM. According to the statistics of the MEM, the artesanal mining contributes 14 % of the entire gold production of Peru. Half of the national exports come from the mining and from 1998 the gold is the principal product of national exportation.

Beneficiation Plants

Only 5 plants in the study area use modern process equipment and can be considered to have acceptable reliability. These are shown on Table 2 below:

Table 2: Operating Plants

Plant Site Location

The geography of Peru is such that the coastal plain is entirely desert except in those areas in which rivers run westward out of the Andean highlands. The entire coast then is truncated every 100 kilometers or so by irrigated arid lands stretching a kilometer or two on either side of the river. The mining activities which are of interest to this report take place within the mountain barrier and usually at elevations below 3500 meters above sea level (masl). While the straight line distances from these mines to the coast are not large (less than 100 km) the steep nature of the terrain makes transportation of the mineral quite difficult and expensive.

This business plan proposes to locate the plant approximately 30 kilometers south of the city of Nazca at a distance of 500 meters along the PanAmerican Highway. The next step in development will be to apply for additional mining leases, purchase the mineral and surface rights to the plant site location and convert the lease underlying the plant to a beneficiation plant lease.

Infrastructure for the plant is excellent with water available from either a well on-site (50 meters) or via pipeline approximately 5 kilometers away. Construction to bring electrical power to within 2 kilometers of the site is underway and is currently 7 kilometers from the plant location.

A layout of the plant on the property will be developed as part of the engineering studies to be carried out prior to construction.

Small Gold Plant Design

A local metallurgical laboratory has completed 3 cyanidation tests to determine the optimum dosage of cyanide to recover the gold in ore from the Nazca-Ocona gold belt. The composite ore sample used had a head grade of 19 grams per tonne and the ore was leached for 48 hours with intermediate samples taken to determine the rate of gold dissolution. The results of this work are shown on Figure 4 below.

It is important to note that PTT intends to use the latest gold processing technology to ensure that all Peruvian regulatory requirements are met or exceeded. None of the technology to be used is experimental and all of the equipment required can be readily manufactured in a number of fabrication shops in Peru.

This test work forms the basis for the operating cost estimate and a preliminary flowsheet as discussed below. Based on other plant experience with this material and the preliminary bench scale testing that was done it was determined that a simple cyanidation plant would recover between 92 and 95 percent of the gold from the ore.

Process Testing

PTT obtained a 50 kilogram sample of ores from the Nazca-Ocona area and retained the private laboratory of TECSUP to undertake 3 cyanidation leach tests at different cyanide dosages. The report from this laboratory work is included in Appendix 1 to this document.

The grade of the 50 kilogram sample was 18.7 gpt of gold and the sample was pulverized to an 80 percent passing 200 mesh size consist for the testing. The three cyanide dosages used 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 grams per liter and the consumption of cyanide after 48 hours was 3.06, 3.58 and 3.61 kilograms per tonne. If the material is leached for only 24 hours the recovery is essentially complete and the

Figure 4: Process Test Results

consumption of sodium cyanide drops to 2.5 kilograms per tonne. The three samples were placed in a glass container and agitated for 48 hours. Twenty milliliter samples of the liquid phase were extracted periodically as shown to determine the rate of extraction and identify the optimal concentration of sodium cyanide. The results of the analysis are shown on the graph in Figure 4 below.

Plant Flowsheet

The standard process for this plant is shown on the preliminary flowsheet on Figure 5. The list of equipment is shown on Table 3. Ore will be brought by the miners to the plant in small trucks with an average size of 10 tonne lots and the material will be dumped on a compacted patio in a segregated bay. The material will be sampled and analyzed for gold grade, impurities and moisture allowing a fair assessment to be made of its value. The owner of the material will be paid on the basis of the analytical results. The method of payment is discussed below.

From the patio, the ore will be fed by small loader over a scalping grizzly and into a 60 tonne feed bin which discharges onto a screen. The screen oversize passes into a jaw crusher and the undersize passes by conveyor to a second screen. The discharge from the jaw crusher passes onto the same conveyor and also across the second screen. The oversize from the second screen goes to a cone crusher and the undersize passes by conveyor to a 150 tonne fine ore bin. Based on the granulometry of the material tested, less than 25 percent of the ore will need to be crushed.

The fine ore is taken from the bin via conveyor and discharged into a 7 foot by 7 foot ball mill. Water, lime and cyanide are added at this point. The ball mill discharge is pumped to a hydrocyclone with the underflow going back to the ball mill and the overflow feeding a 5 foot by 5 foot ball mill. The discharge from this ball mill is also sent to a hydrocyclone with the underflow going back to the ball mill and the overflow going to the first of four, agitated leach tanks.

The leach tanks work in series and by the time the solids pass through the fourth tank the gold has been leached from the fine solids. The slurry then passes into the first of three carbon-in-pulp tanks where fine carbon particles move in counter current with the slurry to absorb the gold laden cyanide solution. The slurry is pumped from the bottom of the third tank and sent to a standard tailings facility and the liquid phase is sent to the first of three desorption tanks.

The gold laden carbon is washed with stripping solution to remove the gold from the carbon and this solution is then sent to a small electrolytic cell where the gold particles are plated onto a gold cathode. The cathodes are periodically taken to a furnace and melted to make ingots of dore bullion. The carbon is washed with hydrochloric acid to regenerate its adsorption qualities and then sent to a rotary kiln to be reactivated and reused in the process. The sintered carbon is passed across a double deck screen to remove fine particles generated in the process. The fine

carbon which is removed will be stored for subsequent burning to capture any residual gold particles. The first step in the project process following financing will be to do more extensive metallurgical testing to finalize the process flowsheet and estimate an accurate mass balance. It is anticipated that several cost savings will be made at this point. For example the gold ore from the Nazca area is very highly oxidized and is delivered to the area plants with few rocks larger than 6 inches in size. It is not considered likely that much crushing will be required. Also the sizing of the ball mills will be more accurate and it is likely that smaller equipment will be used. The rapid reaction kinetics may allow for fewer tanks to be used. It is considered that the flowsheet presented in this business plan is conservative. The detailed design to be done post-financing will result in a target cost estimate and construction drawings.

Plant Cost Estimate

The cost estimate is based on a detailed budget quotation from a respected Peruvian plant fabricator. All equipment will be sourced Peru and the cost estimate is summarized below on Table 4.

The net result is a capital estimate accurate to within plus or minus 15 percent. Added to the installed equipment capital cost will be working capital to maintain an owner’s team during design and construction and to pre-purchase a one week supply of ore. The capital cost estimate quotation is included in Appendix 2 to this Business Plan.

Discussions have been held with a reputable Peruvian engineering company with extensive experience in building this size and type of plant. Basic contract terms have been agreed upon pending financing. Their preliminary cost estimate to build the plant on a turnkey basis was less than this constructors estimate.

Plant Security

Security is an issue whenever there exists a small object of high value such as a brick of dore bullion. Security will be built into the plant design by surrounding the facility with a fence or wall and putting the final processing equipment into secured building. Workers will be required to wear company clothing and change and shower on site. Special traps will be built into all effluent discharges and private security will protect the plant.

The removal of gold bricks will be done under contract with one of the international, bonded security companies that operate in Peru and they will take custody of the gold at the plant site. There is a small asphalt airstrip at Nazca and flying the gold from this nearby town will be investigated. Plant security will be fully addressed in the detailed design stage following financing.

Plant Operating Cost Estimate

The plant operating cost estimate is developed from the power cost and reagent costs which are the largest cost items. Power requirement is determined by the horsepower requirements of the plant equipment and it is assumed that all power will be from the national power grid at a cost of US$0.10 per kwhr. A backup generator will be available in the event of power outages which are frequent in this part of the country. The plant operating cost estimate is shown on Table 5 below;

Plant Personnel

This manpower schedule assumes two, 12 hour shifts per day for 365 days per year requiring 3 shifts of personnel. The plant availability is assumed to be 95 percent resulting in 346 effective operating days per year. The labour cost shown in the operating cost estimate is based on this labour schedule assuming that qualified labour is paid $600 per month and tradespeople are paid $630 per month. The payroll burden is assumed to be 30 percent additional to the payment of 15 salaries in every 12 month period. Additionally a 6 percent profit sharing bonus is paid. The manpower complement at the plant is 21 operators, 8 technician/tradesmen, 3 shift supervisors, the plant metallurgist and the Operations Manager.

Fiscal Regime

The Peruvian fiscal regime is well understood and has been in place for the past 12 years. The recent election assures another 5 years of political peace and the ruling Aprista party is pro-mining and is not considering significant changes to this tax regime. It is emphasized that PTT will follow all Peruvian laws with respect to the paying of all tributes and taxes including payroll taxes and profit sharing and this is reflected in the cash flow model used in this Business Plan.

Income taxes

Income taxes are a flat 30 percent of resource revenue and most capital expenses are amortized straight line over a 10 year useful life. The lack of accelerated write-offs has been a topic of conversation between the mining industry and the government for some time but with commodity prices at high levels it is not considered likely that any changes will be instituted at this time.

Royalty Structure

Royalties are a new device in the Peruvian fiscal system and the graduated scale is dependent upon production rate at the mining face. As a result the plant will attract no royalties.

Proposed Development Schedule

The development schedule is shown on Figure 6 below. When the project has been financed there will be a one month design phase to confirm that the flowsheet is appropriate for the project. Fifty kilograms of ore will be obtained from the operations which have signed letters of intent for this purpose.

Discussions have already taken place with a local engineering company which has the competency for this project and they have expressed, in writing, their interest in providing a lump sum bid to engineer, purchase and construct the plant. Engineering of the plant will commence as soon as the design of the flowsheet is known in sufficient detail to start sizing the equipment. As previously stated, as much as possible, the plant will be built in modules which can be easily transported to the site and quickly interconnected. Plant engineering and purchasing is anticipated to take only 2 months as many of the contractors already have construction drawings for the equipment to be installed.

As soon as the equipment list is ready, orders will be placed for the components which will all be available locally. As each plant module is designed fabrication will commence. It is anticipated that construction of the plant will require 4 months.

All necessary permits will be applied for immediately following financing. These will include construction permits, water licenses and operating permits. A local consultant with specialized skills will be hired to write the necessary permitting documents and that the whole process will take from 3 to 5 months.

Management Team

A very high quality management team has been created comprised of well trained and experienced expatriates and Peruvians.

Cash Flow Analysis

The cash flow results are shown in Appendix 4 to this report and summarize the costs and revenues for a 10 year project life. The table shown assumes a gold price of US$1500 per ounce and a gradually increasing gold feed grade.

The revenue formula for the plant is based on two items; 1. A plant charge per tonne of throughput based on gold price. 2. A recovered gold payable equal to 90% of the total plant recovery. The company retains any gold recovery above 90%. 3. A marketing fee of US$20 per tonne.

When the gold ore is brought to the plant it will be evaluated and a purchase price assessed based on the average gold price of the previous 7 trading days, the ore grade and moisture content and the plant revenue factors identified above.

The processing charge was calculated from an understanding of the process charges for the major competitor to PTT. While not wanting to upset the current pricing regime, PTT will be at or below the competition at any given gold price. Note that this calculation is based on pricing at a time when the gold price was $450 per ounce. It has moved up since this time and the economics presented are based on an increase of $20 in the process charges shown below. The deviation from our competition widens as the gold price increases as shown in Figure 7 below. For clarity, this figure shows the amount paid to the sellers of the ore and is not the amount paid to the plant.

The processing fee floor value was determined from a supply cost analysis at a gold price of US$300 per ounce and a grade of 10 grams per tonne. It was determined that a charge of US$54 per tonne of ore is required to obtain a 25% rate of return on the project (at a gold price of US$300 per ounce). Based on this analysis, the processing charge is calculated according the following formula;

Processing Charge (US$/t) = -0.0074 x gold price² + 1.6411 x gold price + 58.27

The operating cost has been described above and the cash flow analysis uses this cost with an additional 4% for marketing and head office administration. As gold prices have topped $1500 per ounce and additional $20 per tonne was added to this processing charge.

Two written expressions of interest have been received from concession owners who have mines currently not operating. PTT have visited the Erika mine and confirm that it is capable of producing 350 tonnes per day of gold mineralization. The total production being offered by the two formal mining companies is 450 tonnes per day.

Taxes and royalties are as described above. The capital cost allowance for all capital requirements is assumed to be a 10 percent, straight line deduction for 10 years (the assumed life of this project).

Figure 7: Comparison to Competitor Plant

The net cash flows are then calculated as shown in the Appendix and, for this base case production scenario, the project net present value at a 10 percent discount rate is $22,000,000, the rate of return is over 200% and the payback period is 1.1 years. Figure 8 indicates the expected net present values at varying discount rates for the base case cost and revenue assumptions.

Figure 8: Net Present Value at Varying Discount Rates

Sensitivity Analysis

A sensitivity analysis for the project has been undertaken as shown on the spider diagram in Figure 9. The input values of gold price, operating cost and capital cost have been varied in 25% increments from 25% of base case to 175% of base case values. The slope of the criterion lines indicates how sensitive the project economics are to changes in these criterion – the steeper the line the more sensitive the project economics are to that variable.

It can be seen from this sensitivity analysis that the project is extremely robust and is largely indifferent to capital cost nor very sensitive to gold price as most of the plant revenue comes from the processing charge.

As expected the project economics are most sensitive to mineral grade and PTT will pay particular attention to its product mix in order to get access to the highest grade and cleanest ores.

Mining Project Risks

While the project demonstrates excellent potential economic returns it is not without its risks. These are discussed below;

The plant does not effectively separate the gold:

The technology for winning gold from these types of ores is well understood and there are other much older and quite dilapidated plants operating successfully in the area. It can be seen from the economic sensitivity analysis that the project remains economic even with significant changes in capital and operating costs. When capital and operating costs are at 175% of the base case ($4,200,000 and $58.00 per tonne) and the ore grade and gold price are at 50% of the base case values (10 grams per tonne and $325 per ounce) the project will have an NPV10 of $3,682,000.

There is not enough ore to meet the throughput design

As stated previously, 14% of all the reported gold produced in Peru comes from small scale and informal miners. With high gold prices there are literally thousands of small miners operating in the area of interest and there is not enough plant capacity for them. Currently, a “miner’s cooperative” is being created to subsequently sign an agreement with the writers of this Business Plan.

The plant will not compete on the basis of pricing but rather on the honesty of its operation. The small miners will be given full value for their ore as determined by a third party, internationally recognized laboratory – which is not currently the case. As well the plant site is located within 1 kilometer of the main Peruvian highway while the competitors plant is located approximately 2 hours from the highway along a difficult, narrow gravel road. The plant location will guarantee a continuous supply of feed stock.

The plant workers rob from the company

Plant management has been chosen with great care and special attention will be taken to hire only qualified and reputable people. The company will also contract the services of a reputable firm to periodically audit the operations for shrinkage.

There is no backout strategy for the investors

While the initial money is being raised privately it is anticipated that within 2 or 3 years of startup the company will be taken public.

There is political instability in the country

The new regime in Peru has announced that it is committed to maintaining a pro-mining position while directing additional social development funds to the outlying regions of the country. Recently the government announced that informal miners must follow the same environmental guidelines of formalized mining companies. The best insurance against fall-out from such political instability is to maintain a very low business and community profile. This area of Peru is also known for being relatively peaceful and stable thanks to the self-organizing activities of the informal miners. While they do not operate under the aegis of Peruvian mining codes and laws they do an excellent job of protecting their own interests. The World Bank has specific programs to reduce the use of mercury in artesanal gold operations and will be supportive of this plant.

The signing of free trade agreements with Canada and the United States will do a great deal to normalize Peruvian business conditions in order that they are aligned with North American practices thus stabilizing the business climate.

This mining business example was created in 2010 – Some data might be out-of-date.

How To Write a Business Plan for Gold Mining in 9 Steps: Checklist

By henry sheykin, resources on gold mining.

• Financial Model
• Business Plan
• Value Proposition
• One-Page Business Plan
• SWOT Analysis
• Business Model
• Marketing Plan

Gold mining is a lucrative industry that continues to experience growth and demand worldwide. According to Statista, the global gold production amounted to 3,531 metric tons in 2019, with a projected increase to 3,700 metric tons by 2022. As the market expands, it is important for entrepreneurs to have a solid business plan in place.

If you're considering starting a gold mining operation, there are several crucial steps to take. Research is key to identifying potential locations and understanding legal and operational requirements. Conducting a thorough analysis of costs and securing financing is also critical to success.

The latest mining technologies and environmental standards must also be considered in developing a strategic plan, along with establishing a team of experienced professionals. Lastly, creating a strong marketing plan will generate interest and attract potential investors or customers.

Although the process can be complex, with careful planning and execution, a successful gold mining business can be established.

Research The Gold Mining Industry And Market Trends.

Before venturing into the gold mining business, it's crucial to conduct thorough research on the industry and market trends. The findings will provide valuable insights that will inform critical decisions during the start-up and operation of the business.

Start by gathering information on the history of gold mining and how it has evolved over the years. This knowledge will aid in understanding the current state of the industry and what to expect in the future. Familiarize yourself with the major players in the industry and how they operate.

• What are the current market trends?
• What are the factors driving the demand and supply of gold?
• What are the challenges faced by the industry?
• What are the opportunities available?

The research should also cover the international market for gold and its trends. Analyze the global demand and supply situation and the geopolitical factors affecting it. Furthermore, research the specific market segment you intend to serve. Identify the target audience, their interests, and purchasing behavior. This information will help tailor your marketing strategy and develop products that meet the needs of your customers.

Finally, study the gold mining regulations in the countries you plan to operate. Ensure you understand the laws that govern the industry and the regulatory bodies involved. Compliance with the laws and regulations is crucial for the success of the business and will help gain the confidence of investors and stakeholders.

Identify Potential Locations For Gold Mining Operations

One of the most important steps in starting a gold mining business is identifying potential locations for extraction. Here are some important factors to consider:

• Geological surveys: Consult geological maps and surveys to identify areas with high potential for gold deposits. Look for areas with known gold deposits or geological formations that suggest the presence of gold.
• Accessibility: Consider the accessibility of potential locations. Areas that are difficult to access or require significant infrastructure to reach may not be cost-effective for mining operations.
• Environmental impact: Assess the potential environmental impact of mining operations in each location. Look for ways to minimize the impact on the environment, such as selecting sites away from sensitive ecosystems or implementing sustainable practices.
• Infrastructure: Check the availability of necessary infrastructure, such as roads, power, and water, in each location. Locations with existing infrastructure may be more cost-effective for mining operations.
• Political stability: Evaluate the political climate in each potential location. Look for stable countries with established mining industries and supportive government policies.
• Consult with regulatory bodies and local communities to determine any regulatory hurdles for mining activities in potential locations.
• Consider partnering with local communities to ensure the sustainable development of mining operations and minimize negative impacts on their livelihoods.
• Research the demand for gold in potential markets and factor this into the decision-making process for selecting mining locations.

Once potential locations have been identified, further exploration and testing may be necessary to confirm the feasibility of mining operations in each location.

Determine The Legal Requirements For Starting A Gold Mining Business.

Before starting a gold mining business, it is essential to have a clear understanding of the legal requirements that must be met. This will help to avoid costly legal troubles and ensure compliance with local, state, and federal laws. Some important legal requirements to consider when starting a gold mining business include:

• Obtaining necessary permits and licenses: Depending on the location of the mining operation, various permits and licenses may be required, such as environmental permits, water use permits, and land use permits. It is important to research and obtain all necessary permits and licenses before beginning the mining operation.
• Complying with safety regulations: Mining can be a dangerous activity, and safety regulations are in place to protect workers. Compliance with regulations such as the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) standards is essential to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of all involved.
• Following environmental regulations: Responsible mining practices aim to minimize the environmental impact of mining operations. Environmental regulations must be followed to ensure that the mining operation does not harm the environment or wildlife in the area.
• Meeting labor laws: Hiring practices, working conditions, and wages must comply with local labor laws and regulations. Failure to do so can result in legal action against the company.
• Consult with a lawyer who is experienced in mining law to ensure compliance with all legal requirements.
• Keep up-to-date with any changes to relevant laws and regulations to ensure ongoing compliance.
• Consider obtaining insurance to cover potential legal problems.

Once all legal requirements have been met, the gold mining business can begin operations with peace of mind, knowing that all necessary precautions have been taken to ensure legal compliance.

Analyze The Costs Associated With Starting And Running A Gold Mining Operation

In order to start and run a successful gold mining operation, you must have a comprehensive understanding of the costs associated with it. You need to consider the capital expenses required for setting up mining sites, operational expenses such as salaries, equipment maintenance, and energy costs, as well as the variable costs that may arise during the mining process.

Capital Expenses

One of the most significant costs associated with starting a gold mining operation is the initial investment required for purchasing and installing the necessary equipment and infrastructure. You will need to conduct a feasibility study to determine the estimated capital expenditure required for purchasing machinery and equipment, acquiring mineral rights, and constructing necessary infrastructure such as roads and mine shafts.

Operational Expenses

Operational expenses are essential for running an efficient and profitable gold mining business. This includes salaries and wages, maintenance of mining and processing equipment, electricity and other utility costs, and insurance. Additionally, you must consider the cost of waste management and environmental protection measures that should be put in place to ensure sustainable mining operations.

Variable Costs

Variable costs associated with gold mining include the transportation costs of gold ore from the mining site to processing plants, refining and processing expenses, and other expenses that might arise during the mining process. You must consider these costs as they can have a significant impact on profitability and earnings.

Here are some tips to keep the costs in check:

• Choose the mining site wisely to reduce transportation and energy costs. Sites close to water and electricity sources are more affordable to run.
• Invest in modern and energy-efficient mining and processing equipment that minimizes maintenance costs, lowers energy costs and provides a higher yield of gold.
• Train your employees to carry out routine inspections and conduct maintenance tasks to reduce repair costs.
• Consider outsourcing certain tasks such as waste management to reduce labor costs but still maintain high environmental standards.

By carefully analyzing and planning for the costs involved in starting and running a gold mining operation, you can make informed decisions that will ensure the long-term success and sustainability of your business.

Assess The Availability And Cost Of Necessary Equipment And Labor.

One of the key considerations when starting a gold mining business is assessing the availability and cost of necessary equipment and labor. The cost of equipment and labor can make or break a gold mining operation, so it is crucial to thoroughly assess and plan for these costs.

First and foremost, you will need to identify the specific equipment needed for your mining operation. This will depend on a variety of factors, including the size and scope of your operation, the type of mining you will be doing, and the location of your mine. Some equipment commonly used in gold mining includes excavators, rock trucks, crushers, and conveyors.

Once you have identified the necessary equipment, you will need to assess its availability and cost. This may involve contacting suppliers or manufacturers to obtain quotes, or researching leasing or financing options.

In addition to equipment, you will also need to evaluate the availability and cost of labor. Gold mining operations typically require skilled workers, such as miners, geologists, and engineers. It is important to determine the necessary staffing levels and qualifications, as well as the availability of labor in your chosen location.

• Consider leasing or financing equipment to reduce upfront costs.
• Research labor regulations and requirements in your chosen location to ensure compliance.
• Consider utilizing contractors or outsourcing work to reduce labor costs.

Overall, assessing the availability and cost of necessary equipment and labor is a critical step when starting a gold mining business. Thorough research and planning can help ensure that your operation is equipped to succeed in the competitive and challenging world of gold mining.

Secure Financing Or Funding For The Operation.

Securing financing or funding is one of the most critical steps when starting a gold mining business. You will need substantial capital to cover the costs of obtaining and setting up equipment, hiring staff, legal fees, and other expenses. Here are some steps to help you secure financing or funding for your gold mining operation:

• 1. Determine your budget and funding requirements: Before you approach investors or lenders, you need to have a clear understanding of your budget and the amount of funding required to start and run your gold mining operation successfully. This will help you narrow down your options and present a clear business proposition to potential investors.
• 2. Identify potential funding sources: You can consider funding options such as bank loans, personal savings, venture capitalists, angel investors, and crowdfunding platforms. Conduct thorough research on the pros and cons of each option, and identify which sources align with your business goals and objectives.
• 3. Develop a business plan: A business plan is essential when seeking financing or funding for any business. Your plan should demonstrate the viability of your gold mining business, outlining details about the industry, market trends, financial projections, and your strategy for success.
• 4. Prepare a strong pitch: Make a compelling case to investors or lenders, emphasizing the potential ROI and risk mitigation strategies clearly. You can hire a professional writer to help you with the presentation and use graphs, charts, and other visuals to help you present your case better.

Tips for securing financing or funding for your gold mining operation:

• Network with industry players: Attend industry events and network with other professionals in the field. This can help you gain valuable insights and connect with potential investors or lenders.
• Show a track record of success: If you have previous experience in the mining industry, highlight your track record of success to build confidence with potential investors or lenders.
• Be flexible: Consider alternative financing options or restructuring your business plan if you face challenges securing funding or financing.
• Focus on responsible mining: Show that your mining operation will be responsible and sustainable, aligning with the interests of responsible investors.

Securing funding or financing for your gold mining operation can be a challenging process, but by following these steps and tips, you can increase your chances of success. Remember to stay resilient and determined towards your business goals, and seek professional help if needed.

Develop A Strategic Plan And Timeline For The Start-Up And Operation Of The Business.

Once you have conducted thorough research on the gold mining industry and identified potential locations, determined the legal requirements, analyzed costs, assessed equipment and labor availability, and secured financing, it is time to develop a strategic plan for your gold mining business. A well-crafted plan is crucial for the successful start-up and operation of the business.

The first step in developing a strategic plan is to identify your business goals and objectives. In this case, you want to establish a successful gold mining operation that will supply clients across the globe while adhering to high environmental standards. This goal will guide your decision-making process and help you prioritize tasks.

Tip: Use the SMART method to set goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This method will ensure that your goals are clear, tangible, and achievable within a specific timeline.

• Define Your Business Model: Develop a clear business model that outlines how you will source and mine gold, process gold, and deliver it to clients. This section also includes information on your value proposition, target market, competition, and marketing strategy.
• Estimate Your Costs: Develop financial projections for the start-up costs, operational costs, and estimated revenues. This information should be included in your business plan, and it will help you decide how much funding you need to secure to start and operate your mining operation.
• Develop A Timeline: Create a timeline that outlines the critical tasks and milestones for starting and operating your gold mining business. It includes a schedule for obtaining permits, securing financing, buying equipment, hiring personnel, and commencing mining operations.
• Assess Risks: Identify potential risks and develop a risk management plan. This plan should include strategies for preventing risks, minimizing their impact, and recovering from them if they occur.
• Establish Operational Procedures: Establish procedures for managing day-to-day operations, including monitoring mining activities, analyzing ore samples, refining gold, and delivering gold to clients.
• Build A Support Team: Build a team of experienced professionals in the field, including geologists, miners, and engineers. This team will help you implement your strategic plan and contribute to the long-term success of your gold mining business.

Developing a strategic plan and timeline for a gold mining business is a complex process that requires careful planning and attention to detail. However, a well-crafted plan will help you maximize your chances of success and ensure that your operations run smoothly and efficiently.

Create A Marketing Plan To Generate Interest And Attract Potential Investors Or Customers.

The success of any business relies heavily on its ability to attract and retain customers. For gold mining businesses, the key to success is creating a solid marketing plan that will generate interest and attract potential investors or customers. The following are some steps to consider when creating a marketing plan:

• Define your target market: Before developing a marketing plan, it is important to know who your target audience is. Is your business targeting individual investors or larger commercial clients? Knowing your audience will help you tailor your marketing efforts more effectively.
• Develop a brand identity: Your brand identity should reflect the values and mission of your business, and convey a sense of trust and reliability. A strong brand identity will not only attract customers but also help retain them in the long run.
• Use digital marketing: In today's digital age, it is important to have a strong online presence. Use social media, search engine optimization, and email marketing to reach your target audience and promote your business.
• Attend relevant industry events: Attending industry events is a great way to network with potential investors and customers. Consider setting up a booth or presenting a keynote speech at such events to showcase your business and its services.
• Partner with other businesses: Partnering with other businesses in related industries can help increase your reach and attract more investors and customers. For example, consider partnering with mining equipment manufacturers or refining companies to offer bundled services to customers.
• Create a detailed marketing budget and track your expenses.
• Periodically assess and adjust your marketing efforts based on their effectiveness.
• Make sure your messaging is consistent across all marketing channels.
• Consider offering promotional deals or discounts to attract new customers.

By following these steps and tips, businesses can create a marketing plan that will help generate interest and attract potential investors or customers. Remember, the key to success lies in understanding your target audience and tailoring your marketing efforts to address their needs and concerns.

Establish A Team Of Experienced Professionals In The Field, Including Geologists, Miners, And Engineers.

When building a business like gold mining, it is essential to have a team of experienced professionals who understand the nuances of mining, geology, and engineering. These professionals will form the backbone of your operation and help ensure its success.

Here are some important things to keep in mind when building your team:

• Look for individuals with experience in gold mining and exploration. These individuals have the necessary knowledge and skills to help you navigate the unique challenges of the industry and succeed in your endeavors.
• Don't overlook the importance of geologists in your operation. These individuals are crucial in the identification and verification of gold deposits, which is a key factor in the success of your operation.
• Miners and engineers should also be a part of your team. They will help you design and implement an efficient and safe mining operation. It is crucial to ensure that they have the necessary experience and qualifications to carry out their functions effectively.
• Consider hiring local talent to help you with your operations. These individuals have a better understanding of the region and can help you navigate local laws, customs, and regulations that may affect your business.

When building your team, look for professionals who have a proven track record of success in the industry. You want people who are reliable, experienced, and committed to your goals. It's crucial to have a coherent plan in place that outlines the roles and responsibilities of each team member and sets expectations for performance.

Remember that building a team is not a one-time event. You will need to continually evaluate your team's performance and make adjustments as necessary. Ensure that all team members have access to the latest training and resources so that they can continue to learn and grow.

Your team will be critical to the success or failure of your gold mining business. Keep these key considerations in mind as you build your team of experienced professionals in the field.

Conclusion:

Establishing a gold mining business requires extensive research, careful planning, and a competent team of professionals. By following these 9 steps, you can create a comprehensive business plan that covers all the essential aspects of your operation.

From identifying potential locations to securing financing, analyzing costs, and developing a strategic timeline, you'll need to consider every detail and prepare for any challenges that may arise.

By establishing a business that focuses on responsible and innovative gold mining practices, you can set yourself apart from the competition and attract the attention of investors and customers alike. With the right strategy and team, your gold mining business can thrive in today's market.

• Research the gold mining industry and market trends.
• Identify potential locations for gold mining operations.
• Determine the legal requirements for starting a gold mining business.
• Analyze the costs associated with starting and running a gold mining operation.
• Assess the availability and cost of necessary equipment and labor.
• Secure financing or funding for the operation.
• Develop a strategic plan and timeline for the start-up and operation of the business.
• Create a marketing plan to generate interest and attract potential investors or customers.
• Establish a team of experienced professionals in the field, including geologists, miners, and engineers.

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How to make small-scale mining sustainable

Dangerous. Polluting. Illegal. Wrong. The conventional narrative around artisanal and small-scale mining in Africa, Asia and Latin America tends to use words such as these. And while it is true that the sector has problems in spades, it also has the potential to clean up its act and provide sustainable livelihoods for millions of the world's poorest people.

Lina Villa knows what a difference a fresh approach can make. She runs the Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM) , a global network that develops environmental and social standards for responsible artisanal and small-scale mining, so certified miners can sell their products for a premium.

One of the big inspirations for ARM is Oro Verde (Green Gold), a Colombian initiative working with Afro-Colombian artisanal gold miners in the Chocó bioregion – an area marked by high rates of poverty, social exclusion and a very sensitive ecosystem. Oro Verde has involved about 1,300 miners in the certification system and the premium they earn helps pay for local community development projects and diversification into other livelihood activities. Now a brand in its own right, the programme has successfully merged the ancestral knowledge of local communities with scientific and technical know-how to make mining clean, green and safe – the gold they mine is being certified and labelled as both Fairtrade and Fairmined .

But Oro Verde is – for now – a rare gem. Most small-scale mining operates at the fringes. Neglected by governments, in conflict with companies, and overlooked by donors who see small-scale agriculture and forestry as more worthy projects to support. Yet the sector provides jobs for 20-30 million people, often from the poorest and most marginalised of communities. That's 10 times more people worldwide than large-scale mining does. Small-scale miners produce about 85% of the world's gemstones and 20-25% of all gold.

For Villa, the first step is to change minds. Governments and big business need to recognise small-scale mining as both highly productive and as a legitimate part of the mining sector. It is time for governments to bring it into their economic and rural development plans, create incentives for small-scale miners to make their operations legal and help miners access finance, technology and secure land rights.

Villa says it is particularly crucial for governments to shake up the systems that license mining. While licences for big mining companies typically last 30 years or more, those for small operations can last as little as a year – even though some deposits are only suitable for smaller players. With such a skewed playing field, it's hardly surprising that artisanal miners struggle to invest in greener production techniques.

Attitudes won't change and policies won't improve on their own. A new report by IIED shows that what's needed first is better knowledge and understanding of the sector. Only then can the right institutions grow and the right investments flow. The report points to three major gaps in how knowledge shapes policy. First, the knowledge that does exist is poorly shared. Second, the experience of small-scale miners and local communities is largely overlooked – and that's a consequence of their marginalisation and lack of effective representative bodies in many countries. Third, there is no multi-stakeholder space where committed individuals and organisations from different parts of the sector can come together to build trust, learn, innovate and find shared solutions.

The report shows that, while there is good hands-on experience and innovation on-the-ground – for instance, with some governments adopting more inclusive policies and with the beginnings of ethical sourcing – these are often not widely known about, or face huge implementation challenges which stall progress. What is clear is that the only effective way for governments to deal with the social and environmental problems in small-scale mines will be if they work in partnership with the miners themselves.

IIED plans to help to fill the knowledge gap with a new programme of work that will connect stakeholders – including small-scale miners with decision-makers – and ensure that better quality information is generated and used effectively in policymaking at local, corporate, national and international levels. As well as operating national-level projects with partners in countries with large numbers of artisanal miners, it will also focus on global problems such as child labour, health hazards, informality, human rights, pollution, and transparency in supply chains. The new report presents several programme options that IIED has identified following initial consultations with sector stakeholders. The institute now welcomes responses to these options and expressions of interest in collaboration .

The time is ripe for policymakers, donors, companies and miners to come together to help small-scale mining realise its potential to be a force for good. The global demand for mineral resources continues to grow. Meanwhile, the UN's new Minamata Convention on Mercury, agreed in January 2013, will require signatory governments to develop plans to reduce or eliminate use of the pollutant mercury from artisanal and small-scale mines, and create public awareness campaigns as part of the plans. This will create opportunities for policymakers to look beyond mercury and ensure small-scale mining meets its potential to improve lives and take better care of local environments

Sarah Best is a senior researcher at the International Institute for Environment and Development. She can be emailed at [email protected] .

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Mining Business Plan Template

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This mining business plan template has 25 pages and is a MS Word file type listed under our business plan kit documents.

Sample of our mining business plan template:

Business Plan [YOUR COMPANY NAME] [INSERT IMAGE/LOGO] [YOUR NAME] - Owner [YOUR ADDRESS] [YOUR CITY], [YOUR STATE/PROVINCE] [YOUR ZIP/POSTAL CODE] [ [email protected] ] [YOUR PHONE NUMBER] [YOUR FAX NUMBER] Business Plan

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Simplified Gold Mining Business Plan

• Post author: Ane
• Post published: May 2, 2020
• Post category: Business Tips / BUSINESS-PLAN-AND-FEASIBILITY-STUDY / MINING
• Post comments: 0 Comments

Simplified Gold Mining Business Plan – Gold mining is a lucrative business. This is because gold is highly valuable. In fact, the voluability of gold stems from its unique physical chemical characteristics.  Its ductility, malleability, quasi-indestructibility, and rarity gives gold its value. Therefore, if you are looking for a lucrative mining business, gold mining is the answer.

Scale of Operations:

Table of Contents

Furthermore, this Simplified Gold Mining Business Plan gives comprehensive details of both small and medium scale gold mining business plan. As a matter of fact, this piece is valuable for mining projects and investment proposals. In fact, this simplified edition of mining business plan is also good for other solid mineral business plans like copper, grannite, gypsun, coal, zinc and lead. In fact, this is a brief on how to start a mining business in Nigeria. The mining project profile, cost of setting up a mining business, marketing and management profile are covered here. Indeed, every aspect of the business forecast are covered in the detailed viability analysis embedded here.

INDUSTRY OVERVIEW For Simplified Gold Mining Business Plan

In addition, it’s worth overviewing the Nigerian mining industry for us to keep abreast with the trend of mining activities in Nigeria. As a matter of fact, Nigeria is endowed with numerous solid mineral resources. These include talc, iron ore, bitumen, gold, rock salt, gypsum, lead and zinc. Others are coal, gemstones, kaolin, tantalite, bentonite and baryte. These are located in different parts of the country in commercial quantity.

However, the ownership of the mineral resources is vested in the Federal Government of Nigeria. So, the state is the custodian on behalf of the citizens of the country. The state regulates this industry through its solid mineral development Act. This same Act defines title ownership, community relationship and solid mineral tax matters. For more on this contact us for your commercial information at minimal costs. Or ask for our solid mineral mining e-book.

Need for Foreign Investors:

Recently, the Nigerian government has recognized that the successful exploration and exploitation of its mineral resources may not be met by only the indigenous miners. That it requires both technical expertise and financial strength to a large extent which can be provided by foreign investors. This had led to evolving of certain mining incentives for all miner investors. This is detailed below.

Mining Titles:

In this regard, the government grants mineral titles to allow suitable investors to explore for, mine and market the mineral resources. In this connection, government is both the ‘owner-operator’ and ‘administrator-regulator’. In fact, the solid mineral cadastral office receives applications for mineral titles and licenses.

Investors are, therefore, free to apply for mining titles at any time for any area not covered by an existing title or not otherwise reserved by the government. You can own more than one title if you can afford it.

Mining Incentives:

Furthermore, government has evolved policies aimed at encouraging both domestic and foreign investors in the mining industry. These incentives include granting of a three-year tax holiday to new mining companies which may be extended for one further period of two years. In addition, mining operators are granted exemptions from payment of customs and import duties in respect of plant, machinery, equipment and accessories imported specifically and exclusively for mining operations.

Additionally, every holder of a mineral title is guaranteed free transferability of funds through the Central Bank of Nigeria. Again, they are also permitted to retain a portion of their foreign exchange in a foreign exchange domiciliary account for use in acquiring spare parts and other inputs required for the mining operation. But such must be those that would otherwise not be readily available without the use of such earning.

Furthermore, this sector includes such business activities as the importation and local marketing of modern mining equipment. In fact, you can invest into modern mineral testing and quality control technologies and reagents. Also you are allowed to invest in local sales and export of crude or processed solid minerals. These are all business opportunities in the solid mineral sector of Nigeria’s economy.

The executive summary of Simplified Gold Mining Business Plan now follows.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY On Simplified Gold Mining Business Plan

 This Simplified Gold Mining Business Plan is for Complete Gold Mining Company. Complete Gold Mining Company is a legally incorporated mining company based in Keffi, Nasarawa State of Nigeria. Currently, Complete Gold Mining Company has three gold mining licenses for three different locations in Nasarawa State.

As a matter of fact, this business plan is our business forecast for the next three years. In fact, it is our administration and mining operation manual for the period covered.  In this plan are our company profile, products, production flow chart, and our market and marketing strategies. The feasibility analysis of our operation for the period under consideration are also covered here. So, the feasibility analysis covers all the cost of operation, marketing, and turnover forecast. All of these are finally presented in the company income statements for projected gross income and net profit propositions. The balance sheet and the cash flow statement speaks volume for our capacity to operate seamlessly without any financial hitch in the next three years.

Our Vision Statement

Furthermore, our vision as a gold mining company is to own more gold mines in the North Central geopolitical zone of Nigeria. We want to become the number one brand in the gold mining industry in this geopolitical zone.

Mission Statement

In fact, establishing a world class gold mining company in Nigeria is our goal. Therefore, we want to build a gold mining company that will be listed amongst the top 10 gold mining companies in West Africa.

Our Business Structure:

As a matter of fact, we know that to establish a world class gold mining company our organisation must have in place a standard corporate governance structure. Such structure that are hierarchically linked right from the board of directors to the least commanding officer in the company. Therefore, we have perfected plans to get it right from the onset. In this wise, we have gone the extra mile to ensure that we have only competent employees to occupy all the available positions in our company.

In view of that, we have decided to hire qualified and competent hands to occupy the following positions in Complete Gold Mining Company.

• Chief Executive Officer – Principal Director
• Gold Mine Manager – an incorporated second director.
• Gold Mining Casual Workers

OUR PRODUCT & SERVICES:

In addition, Complete Gold Mining Company is established with the aim of maximizing profits in the gold mining industry. Therefore, we have taken time to define our products and services. In fact, with efficient management team in place, we are sure that our products are going to be of high standard.

As a matter of fact, we will work hard to ensure that Complete Gold Mining Company is not just accepted in Nigeria and West Africa alone but globally. Therefore, our products are listed below;

• And gold bullion, ore and concentrates
• Gold mining Consultancy Services

THE MARKET For Simplified Gold Mining Business Plan

Furthermore, the market trend is encouraging. In fact, Gold mining in Nigeria has shown to be a lucrative business. Ghana has continued to maintain the market lead in West Africa for a long time and up to now. South Africa is another major producer in the Africa. Until recently, Nigeria’s gold-mining industries had witnessed poor investment. It failed to operate as well-oiled machines. In fact, the miners have not considered it wise to put forth sizeable capital towards exploration and development. But with recent government incentives in place, exploration will be successful and will extend to renewing and growing the reserves that were being mined.

In fact, it’s hoped that a continual expansion and new development of mining sites will be sustained leading to growth in production. It is common trend in the gold ore mining line of business to find mining companies positioning for business in locations and communities where they can easily have cheap access to mines and labour. This policy is like an industrial standard. It actually, enables miners make profits and maintain overhead and logistics.

Furthermore, is that there is an industrial trend in this line of business. Tha is, that most registered and well organized mining companies look for market beyond their locations, state or country. In fact, they enjoy economies of scale and with that ensure that they strike business deals with leading jewelry making companies globally beyond the countries of their operation. This is because if one becomes a vendor to one or more jewelry making giants in USA or other countries of the world, one will always smile to the bank.

MARKETING STRATEGIES for Simplified Gold Mining Business Plan

In the light of the above, we have to define our target market. Indeed, when it comes to supplying product from gold mines, there must be a well-defined market. This goes to show that the target market for raw gold is far reaching. In view of the above, we have conducted our market research to take care of this. Now, we have ideas of what our target market would be expecting from us. In actual fact, we are in business to engage in supply of raw gold to the following organizations;

• Gold merchants
• Government agencies for promotional purposes

Our Competitive Advantage:

Some of our competitive advantages include:

• availability of resource,
• ability to forward sell production when appropriate and
• the ability to comply with environmental laws.
• vast experience of our management team
• robust distribution network
• excellent customer service culture
• taking care of our personnel welfare and working conditions.  package

As a matter of fact, we have these competitive advantages through our ability to prepare detailed analysis of the demographics of our surrounding areas and the nature of our existing competitors.  In fact, we also have in place workable strategies to remain afloat even when new competitors enter our market at any time.

Marketing Strategies:

Our marketing strategies include:

• Cause Marketing.
• Direct Selling.
• Co-Branding and Affinity Marketing.
• Point-of-Purchase (POP) Marketing.
• Internet Marketing.
• Paid Media Advertising.
• Word of Mouth Advertising.

This is our operational checklist. We intend to adhere to it to achieve our goals.

• Business Name Availability Check
• Business Registration
• Obtaining TIN
• Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts – Regular & Mobile Money Accounts and Online Payment Platforms
• Application for mining license and permit to mine and market gold
• Insurance for the Business
• Leasing essential facilities and renovating them 
• Conducting Feasibility Studies
• Generating capital from family members, Loan from the bank,
• Writing of Business Plan

Further timelines;

• Drafting of Employee’s Handbook
• Drafting of Contract Documents and other relevant Legal Documents
• Design of The Company’s Logo
• Printing of Promotional Materials
• Recruitment of employees
• Procurement of the needed gold mining machines and equipment, furniture, racks, shelves, computers, electronic appliances, office appliances and CCTV
• Creating Official Website for the Company
• Creating Awareness for the business both online and around the community

Additional time lines;

• Health and Safety and Fire Safety Arrangement (License)
• Launching party planning
• Establishing business relationship with Jewelry production companies and other stakeholders
• Purchase of tippers and delivery trucks

NOW READ ALSO :

• How to get your Mining Exploration Lease in Nigeria
• Where & How to get Small Scale Mining Lease in Nigeria
• Get a Quarry license here
• A 25-Year Mining Lease in Nigeria
• Small Scale Lead Mining BPlan
• Mining Quarry Business Plan with Feasibility studies
• Solid Mineral challenges for Artisinal Small scale Mining
• How to be a millionnaire miner in Nigeria

At this juncture, we advise you to get a business consultant to assist you. What has been narrated above look simple reading them. But I tell you there are a lot of technicalities involved.

We recommend Complete Full Marks Consultants Limited, owners of this website. This firm is made up of experienced consultants.  As professional accountants and tax practitioners, they will do good jobs for you.

OUR CONTACTS:

If contacted, they will ensure all your start-up challenges listed in the operational checklist above are taken care of.

Order this Simplified Gold Mining Business Plan from us. The feasibility analysis is a technical aspect of the business plan. We can do it for you.

Contact us via +234 8034347851 or  [email protected]

GET THESE DONE:

For your existing business outfits contact us also for the following, as a continuous validation of the above landmarks. And then;

• Up-dating the certificates – Renewing Mining licences and others
• Rendering statutory annual returns for C.A.C
• Rendering statutory annual returns for FIRS
• Obtaining Tax clearance certificates annually,
• Making necessary changes in the CAC incorporated documents as need arises

Furthermore, are;

• Obtaining the necessary contract bidding compliance certificate for ITF, NSITF, PENCOM and BPP
• Updating management business plans
• Updating contract agreements
• Making Expansion business plan
• And many others

SHARE FOR US:

Please, help us share to reach others. Thanks for reading through.

Deacon Anekperechi Nworgu, a seasoned economist who transitioned into a chartered accountant, auditor, tax practitioner, and business consultant, brings with him a wealth of industry expertise spanning over 37 years.

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Viable project management for small-scale mining success

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29th October 2021

By: Claire O'Reilly

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The multidisciplinary nature of mining projects requires strict, iterative processes in terms of establishing what will make the project and its future operation viable, says Johannesburg-based consulting and project management company Bowline.

While large mining companies are still executing new projects, small- to medium-scale companies are attempting to execute twice, even thrice as many new projects. These tend to be less successful. While these small-scale mining companies across Africa often receive financial support from their respective governments, a lack of planning and appropriate de-risking results in unsustainable operations, says Bowline MD Breton Scott .

“Smaller mining companies may not always have the in-house resources required to implement proper project management and it is highly recommended that they outsource.”

However, their inherent financial limitations ensure that they do not have the means to contract a large team of consultants. Although they need to be nimble and flexible, large teams may not be conducive to achieving those goals.

Small- or medium-scale mining companies tend to be more sensitive to macroeconomic factors and these, combined with mining projects being a long-term investment, mean that the projects need to be more resilient to economic fluctuations, especially during the project execution phases.

The project management approach and mine design should also be sufficiently flexible to create this resilience by accommodating economic fluctuations. The project management approach and project teams should be suitably conversant with these mitigating measures and respond accordingly, he explains.

“For example, should there be a downturn in commodity prices, the project should be in a position to adjust certain non-critical deliverables accordingly, by removing some of the less essential items, but maintaining the integrity of the project setup and remaining legally compliant.”

Scott says small-scale mines need not mimic the physical elements required at a large-scale mine to be legally compliant.

“Why build a R30-million brick-and-mortar equipment workshop when you can start by building a R30 000 hard stand, out in the open, that still enables you to maintain your mining equipment effectively and be legally compliant?”

The long-term goal should be to upgrade the workshop over time using operating costs and not capital expenditure, he adds.

Scott notes that small mining companies should not blindly accept the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK) as their code of practice, but appreciate that it is a guideline only.

PMBOK methodology creates a broad framework of standards, conventions, processes, best practices, terminologies and guidelines that are accepted as project management industry standards, as different-scale projects at different stages of development do not need to address all the elements of the PMBOK guidelines every time.

“The underlying principles should, however, be honoured for every project, but there should be a difference in use – PMBOK largely depends on the level of detail, scope of work and extent of resources required,” emphasises Scott.

When comparing large-scale mining projects to small- or medium-scale mining projects, the success factors or priorities are often very different, but aligning projects to business strategy is crucial.

The stipulated success factors for a given project dictates the appropriate project management approach and the PMBOK guidelines that should be followed.

Consequently, project owners must find the right balance between project management and effectively using resources without losing sight of critical items that can make or break a successful mining project.

Some of these critical items include risk management, resource management (mineral, human, financial and technical), budgeting, time management and balancing project delivery with sustainable business plans or strategies, Scott illustrates.

Accumulated Challenges

Addressing challenges relating to managing and tracking project performance of virtual project teams, and ensuring teams have been given very strict deadlines and deliverables, are imperative.

Another challenge in mining projects is collaboration or consultation with new emerging miners, which do not necessarily have extensive project development experience in the industry, as they tend to focus on “easy wins” as opposed to early, yet sustainable, wins, adds Scott.

Further, while the project management industry is facing challenges, technological development will create new opportunities.

“I see new development in the incorporation of artificial intelligence and data analytics, or project business analysis, into long-term projects. This is a means of simulating potential changes in the project’s environment to develop appropriate mitigating measures that can be activated in a timely fashion in response to contingencies  such as new legislation instituted, governmental regime change, unexpected climatic conditions, project ownership change, other project related risks et cetera – that can impact quality, safety, time and cost.” 

However, the project management industry is seeing some forward motion, as “big players in the mining industry are tired of waiting and are now entering into a ‘make or break’ stage: companies that have had projects lined up for a long time must execute them now or go out of business”.

Moreover, commodity prices are on an upswing, making some mining projects more viable and more attractive to investors. The current price trends also afford companies a certain level of flexibility and agility to adjust to changing market conditions, adds Scott. 

He concludes that a balance between using experienced in-house resources and like-minded and expert outsourced resources is key to fast-tracking mining projects without taking shortcuts.

Edited by Nadine James Features Deputy Editor

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BUSINESS PLAN FOR THE MINING INDUSTRY

The Lampotal Plant is located on Ejido property in the Municipality of Veta Grande, Zacatecas, Mexico, in the town of Lampotal. The Plant’s original design was that of a 10 tank static vat leaching plant, which operated for approximately 30 years, processing approximately 200 tons a day, of material from the Spanish Colonial period, that was first processed by the mercury amalgamation process. In 1995, the Plant shut down due to continued increases in operating expenses, and the low spot market price of silver that came about in the later part of the 1980s. Each leaching tank can hold approximately 320 metric tons of tailings. Traditionally, static vat leaching plants processing this type of material, recover about 50% of the ore’s recoverable precious metals values. The final product would be a concentrated precipitate of silver, gold, mercury, copper, and other trash base metals and organic materials.

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Sample Gold Mining Business Plan

Do you need help starting a gold mining company? If YES, here is a sample gold mining Business Plan.

Gold mining is not only capital intensive but requires a thorough planning process to be successful. If you are reading this, chances are that you are looking for help on how to put together a good plan for your gold business.

The value of gold keeps rising even while faced with an economic crisis. Many individuals and companies are interested in starting their own gold mining business because of its continued popularity. This is more eminent in countries where there is gold to mine.

Businessmen and women are urged to start a gold mining business because it is much cheaper to produce, and they will gain more money once they’ve sold it. Some find it easier investing in quarry business .

GOLD MINING BUSINESS PLAN SAMPLE

Just like other types of businesses, gold mining investment opportunities are truthfully risky businesses to establish.

Though the income is high, many are still doubtful of opening this kind of business since there’s a huge possibility that it will not succeed.

This is a good reason why it is important to give yourself time to think about it before deciding to have your own gold mining business

GUIDE : Sand Mining Business Planning

Since this business isn’t one you just jump into anyhow, when looking for how to get into the gold mining business, you must check if it is possible to establish it in your country.

Most of the large companies you see today doing this kind of business choose to mine in other countries where there’s gold available.

So, if you want to have your own gold mining company, you need to do your researches appropriately. Gold prospectors who want to start a gold mine have choices to make when beginning to create a mining operation.

In fact, we were made to understand that besides choosing to rent a gold mine lease or pan for gold on public lands, a miner can claim land and start a gold mine on undeclared land.

Gold mining operations range from tiny to gigantic. Definitely, the location and size of the operation will determine how a miner will start a gold mine. All these must be captured in even a small-scale gold mining business proposal.

Here is a sample business plan for starting a gold mining company.

1. Prospect the site with a shovel and pan.

You must record the concentrations of naturally occurring gold in the gold ore on the claim. You are to dig where exposed bedrock is on the claim and where waterways collect gold in the beds of the river or stream around the inside bend of a corner in the water.

Prospecting accurately will increase the amount of gold you pull from the claim per hour of work.

2. You are to set up mining equipment that compliments the geography of the area. Though water is an important feature of many gold mines, some experts said it is not needed for separating the gold from the ore. Necessary things as sluice boxes and shakers can run by either water or air. You just develop the right mine for your site.

3. Ensure you provide living quarters for the miners and power the housing with a generator that can power the electrical mining equipment as well.

You should know that the larger the gold mine the more power, equipment, and housing you will need. If you can, ensure you separate the living quarters from the mill site.

Why? To avoid contaminating the water supply with human byproducts.

4. Excavate gold ore from the most productive sampling sites on the claim and collect the ore near the mining equipment. When enough ore has been stored to run a complete shift of mining operations you can begin to separate the gold from the ore and make money with a gold mine.

5. You should store pure gold and highly concentrated gold ore in separate containers for further processing.

Actually, the processing of gold is the most time-consuming task; eliminating all the debris from the gold can be better managed at a later time.

You should process the ore until all that is left is heavy black sand and gold; then store it for cleaning at a later time.

In conclusion, you should note that you might take some pounding from stronger competitors. In fact, you might make a business mistake or even face intricate gold business challenges like a change in government policy.

GOLD MINING BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE

This gold mining business plan sample will help you achieve your desire. We simplify the whole process by including the most relevant sections every plan should have.

You should also not complicate the whole process. The simpler it is, the better. However, an essential requirement is a knowledge about gold mining. This information will be needed in putting your plan together.

• Executive Summary

Buck Mining Corporation is a precious metal mining company involved in the commercial mining of gold. Our gold mining reserves are located in the fringes of Bridgeport, Connecticut.

The discovery of an additional gold reserve outfield has necessitated the expansion of our operations to cover this new location. This expansion will require sourcing the needed funding to cover these operations.

We have acquired the mineral mining rights to explore this new location. The combined size of our current site and our new location is over 4,000 acres.

Gold mining and explorations will commence immediately after we finalize the loan applications.

• Our Products

We are a major gold mining business involved in the exploration and mining of precious minerals. Our team is made up of seasoned geologists, metallurgical and engineering professionals.

These skilled professionals oversee every aspect of gold mining that relates to their field.

Buck Mining Corporation has been in business for the past 5 years.

With the discovery of more gold deposits, our vision is to break into the major league of gold mining within the next 5 years. The expansion of our operations will help us achieve our target within this specified period.

• Our Mission

The desirability of gold as a store value for wealth has only increased over the years.

As demand grows, we seek to supply mined gold to smelting companies to meet these demands. Our mission is to use safe mining practices in extracting these precious metals.

To achieve our expansion plans, a significant amount of funding is needed. We need the sum of $150,000,000.00.

Out of this total amount, $50,000,000.00 is available. This has been raised from profits. The sum of $100,000,000.00 will be sourced through loans from 4 banks.

This loan application has reached an advanced stage already.

An analysis of our state of health as a business has been done by a reputable business consultancy firm. Our performance has been measured against vital indices which have brought important facts to light;

Our gold mine business has experienced considerable patronage over the years. We have built a strong team of professionals consisting of geological and metallurgical experts in addition to engineers among many others.

These form the backbone of our operations.

We are a growing gold mining business with formidable competitors. The industry is pretty much dominated by these major players. Although there are regulations in place to check against monopolizing the gold mining sector, an increasing number of businesses like ours are underfunded to compete effectively.

• Opportunities

The discovery of an additional gold deposit has enhanced our chances and market share. Our expansion drive seeks to take advantage of this discovery. We will commence exploration as soon as mining equipment is bought and installed.

By this find, our capacity to meet more demand is enhanced.

Threats to our business come in the form of multiple taxations and unfavorable government policies. The impact the latter has on our gold mining business is enormous. This can make it more difficult to do business.

• Sales Projection

With an expansion of our gold mining operations, our profits are expected to witness a jump. We have a projected growth in sales that is expected to rise considerably over the next three years as shown in this chart;

• First Financial Year $10,000,000.00
• Second Financial Year $25,000,000.00
• Third Financial Year $45,000,000.00
• Competitive Advantage

There are advantages we hold over other gold mining businesses. Some of these include the quality of our workforce.

This is made up of experts with many years of experience in the gold mining industry. We have been careful to select only the best as we believe that this will reflect in our operations. The discovery of an additional gold mine and obtaining the operating license has further added to our reserves.

• Marketing Strategy

We already have a network of existing clients who have proven to be valuable assets to our operations. These will be crucial to the take-off and smooth running of our new gold mine. Through the expansion of our current capacity, we will work with more major gold merchants to create a distribution channel for our products.

• Operational Sustainability

The extraction/mining of gold from our reserves is expected to last a period of 3 decades. During this time, more explorations will be carried out in addition to gold processing which we will be embarking on within 2 years. These will enhance our sustainability and make our gold mining business a stable and highly profitable venture.

This gold mining business plan sample has attempted to provide you with the guidance you need. You mustn’t complicate things when writing your plan.

The better informed you are about this business; the easier it is to write a plan when you have a template to work with. It is believed that this will help entrepreneurs in no small measure.

One Comment

I just need a BIG SCALE gold mine business plaN

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Business plan considerations for a small scale mining operation.

Mercy manyuchi, publisher: ieom society international, track: business management.

A business plan is a written document describing a company's core business activities, objectives, and how they plan to achieve their goals. Start-up companies like Zvicherwa Pvt Ltd, a gold mining company, in this case use business plans to get off the ground and attract outside investors. The Zvicherwa business plan includes: an executive summary, mission and vision, products and services, marketing strategy and SWOT analysis considering threats such as COVID 19, financial planning, and a budget. A total investment of USD 250, 000, 000.00 is required to kick-start Zvicherwa Pvt Ltd with a projected production of 200 000 ounces of gold over 20 years.

Published in : 6th North American International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, Monterrey, Mexico

Publisher : IEOM Society International Date of Conference : November 3-5, 2021

ISBN : 978-1-7923-6130-2 ISSN/E-ISSN : 2169-8767

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Six Key Factors in Formalizing Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining

Formalizing the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector would bring it into the formal sector through legal, regulatory and policy frameworks. We explore six of the key ways we can formalize ASM to bring about potential benefits to millions.

Working in artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM)—informal mining activities carried out using minimal technology or machinery—provides livelihoods for millions of people.

At the same time, the sector — ­­which includes informal individual miners seeking a subsistence livelihood, as well as small-scale commercial mining entities — poses challenges for governments in about 80 countries where ASM continues to grow.

Informal ASM refers to operations that do not have the requisite licenses and permits required by law, but do have a social license to operate. Formalizing the sector would bring ASM’s informal income-earning activities and economies into the formal sector through legal, regulatory and policy frameworks.

Formalizing the sector would also result in the inclusion of marginalized miners throughout the process of developing, adapting and revising legal frameworks and support. If well designed, this process fosters the conditions to integrate ASM into the formal economy, potentially transforming the lives and safety of millions of people worldwide who depend on the sector.

To be successful, this process must address the key barriers associated with the sector, while also supporting and incentivizing miners to get formalized.

What are six of the key ways we can formalize ASM, to bring about potential benefits to millions?

Developing Conducive and Comprehensive Legal Frameworks

Comprehensive legislation specific to ASM needs to be developed. These legal frameworks should account for ASM’s diverse character in countries where ASM is illegal or where it is legal but unregulated. In countries where ASM is legal, reforms to existing legislation should prioritize the ASM sector for national development.

There are some important considerations to bear in mind when developing this legislation, such as licensing; access to land; gender equality; community participation; and environmental, safety and labour standards.

Providing Access to Geological Data

A lack of geological data can lead ASM miners to enter environmentally sensitive areas, creating tension between ASM miners and large-scale mining companies in the area. It can also create difficulties when requesting bank loans or other support services when ASM miners do not have geological information as collateral.

Without access to geological data, those working in the ASM sector are often left with little to drive their activities except guesswork or trial and error. This often results in low yields, loss of investment and increased environmental degradation. Mapping a country’s potential reserves and land use, and providing access to this data, is crucial to determining appropriate locations for ASM.

Benefits to small-scale miners would include more efficiency and longevity at sites, minimized environmental degradation and improved profitability.

Ensuring Access to Capital

Debt and poverty are major concerns in ASM, as informal work means miners cannot access finance given their non-legal status.

However, a certain level of capitalization is required to register and gain a concession and to buy the necessary equipment to process minerals and mine. Methods to increase access to credit and finance could include microfinance credit and savings, grants and government loan facilities.

Providing Access to Equipment

Another major challenge for ASM miners is not having the equipment nor the resources to be able to replicate or adapt mining techniques.

To increase access to equipment for those in the ASM sector, equipment should be simple in design and able to be produced locally, be affordable to individual miners, and combine both manual and mechanized processing techniques. Hire purchase loan schemes and centralized processing centres can enable alternative access to equipment.

Developing More Capacity Building

In the past, a poor understanding of the dynamics of ASM communities has led to inappropriate technologies and support services.

Capacity building can spur successful formalization within the ASM sector if training programs promote best practices and focus on practical mining-related topics and are geared towards women and their integration into the mining sector. They should be tailored to the socioeconomic characteristics of the individual mining communities, and provide education and resources on how to foster partnerships with stakeholders, including community organizations and the private sector.

Enabling Dialogue between ASM Stakeholders

Individuals within the ASM sector must be involved throughout the formalization process to ensure changes are in tune with realities on the ground.

To create long-term sustainable formalization strategies, a number of things need to be considered. These include creating a platform for positive and regular dialogue between ASM stakeholders and government to provide a conduit for consultation on changes, informing dialogue based on research on mining communities to understand the complexities of the ASM sector and establishing a co-created roadmap outlining interventions with input from various stakeholders, including non-mining ones, at all levels.

The Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development and the International Institute for Environment and Development recently launched a joint report entitled Global ASM Progress: A Review of Key Numbers and Issues.

Read more about global ASM progress and a review of key figures and issues in this report.

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An independent mining professional can provide an opinion based on a review of available geological information. This can be a low-cost and brief report. Government agencies tasked with administering the artisanal and small-scale mining operations may be able to help an individual miner with regional geological reports

Business Plan for Small Scale Mining Entrepreneur. Recent estimates show that small-scale, entrepreneurial mining operations produce around 20 percent of the world's gold, 20 percent of the total diamond weight, and about 80 percent of usable sapphires. Wisebusinessplans, a global leader in the business planning community, is now assisting ...

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This Business Plan describes the goals and some of the activities of the Artisanal and Small Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) partnership area of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) Global Mercury Partnership. It serves as a planning and communication vehicle both for Partners and others. The purpose of the business plan is to provide a ...

Once your business plan is complete, purchase all necessary equipment & supplies needed to operate your small-scale mining business, such as drills, ventilation systems, and other machinery. Additionally, you should also consider investing in safety gear for staff operating these machines, such as helmets, overalls, and protective gloves.

A small-scale gold mining business plan serves as a roadmap for success, combining profitability with environmental and social responsibility. By adopting sustainable practices and engaging with ...

The following document outlines a mining business proposal to design and construct a free standing toll plant facility, known in this document as Peru Toll Treatment (PTT), in southern Peru to accommodate the needs of a growing quantity of small scale miners who produce up to 14 percent of the country's annual gold production. The plan includes the basic design criteria on which the plant ...

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Results Area 4 - Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) The expected outcomes are: 1 A viable and sustainable artisanal and small-scale mining sector; 2 Strengthened capacities of ASM operators; and 3 Reduced negative environmental, health and welfare impacts from ASM. Results Area 5 - Linkages, investment and diversification

Develop a business plan: A business plan is essential when seeking financing or funding for any business. Your plan should demonstrate the viability of your gold mining business, outlining details about the industry, market trends, financial projections, and your strategy for success. 4.

Small-scale miners produce about 85% of the world's gemstones and 20-25% of all gold. For Villa, the first step is to change minds. Governments and big business need to recognise small-scale ...

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UNCTAD commissioned a business plan guideline for small and medium scale enterprises in the oil, gas and mining sector as part of United Nations Development Account Project 1415P: "Strengthening the capacity of the Economic Community of Central African States to enhance development linkages".

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Gold mining operations range from tiny to gigantic. Definitely, the location and size of the operation will determine how a miner will start a gold mine. All these must be captured in even a small-scale gold mining business proposal. Here is a sample business plan for starting a gold mining company. 1. Prospect the site with a shovel and pan.

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Formalizing the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector would bring it into the formal sector through legal, regulatory and policy frameworks. We explore six of the key ways we can formalize ASM to bring about potential benefits to millions. January 22, 2018. Share this page:

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• What is Secondary Research? | Definition, Types, & Examples

What is Secondary Research? | Definition, Types, & Examples

Published on January 20, 2023 by Tegan George . Revised on January 12, 2024.

Secondary research is a research method that uses data that was collected by someone else. In other words, whenever you conduct research using data that already exists, you are conducting secondary research. On the other hand, any type of research that you undertake yourself is called primary research .

Secondary research can be qualitative or quantitative in nature. It often uses data gathered from published peer-reviewed papers, meta-analyses, or government or private sector databases and datasets.

Table of contents

When to use secondary research, types of secondary research, examples of secondary research, advantages and disadvantages of secondary research, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions.

Secondary research is a very common research method, used in lieu of collecting your own primary data. It is often used in research designs or as a way to start your research process if you plan to conduct primary research later on.

Since it is often inexpensive or free to access, secondary research is a low-stakes way to determine if further primary research is needed, as gaps in secondary research are a strong indication that primary research is necessary. For this reason, while secondary research can theoretically be exploratory or explanatory in nature, it is usually explanatory: aiming to explain the causes and consequences of a well-defined problem.

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Secondary research can take many forms, but the most common types are:

Statistical analysis

Literature reviews, case studies, content analysis.

There is ample data available online from a variety of sources, often in the form of datasets. These datasets are often open-source or downloadable at a low cost, and are ideal for conducting statistical analyses such as hypothesis testing or regression analysis .

Credible sources for existing data include:

• The government
• Government agencies
• Non-governmental organizations
• Educational institutions
• Businesses or consultancies
• Libraries or archives
• Newspapers, academic journals, or magazines

A literature review is a survey of preexisting scholarly sources on your topic. It provides an overview of current knowledge, allowing you to identify relevant themes, debates, and gaps in the research you analyze. You can later apply these to your own work, or use them as a jumping-off point to conduct primary research of your own.

Structured much like a regular academic paper (with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion), a literature review is a great way to evaluate the current state of research and demonstrate your knowledge of the scholarly debates around your topic.

A case study is a detailed study of a specific subject. It is usually qualitative in nature and can focus on  a person, group, place, event, organization, or phenomenon. A case study is a great way to utilize existing research to gain concrete, contextual, and in-depth knowledge about your real-world subject.

You can choose to focus on just one complex case, exploring a single subject in great detail, or examine multiple cases if you’d prefer to compare different aspects of your topic. Preexisting interviews , observational studies , or other sources of primary data make for great case studies.

Content analysis is a research method that studies patterns in recorded communication by utilizing existing texts. It can be either quantitative or qualitative in nature, depending on whether you choose to analyze countable or measurable patterns, or more interpretive ones. Content analysis is popular in communication studies, but it is also widely used in historical analysis, anthropology, and psychology to make more semantic qualitative inferences.

Secondary research is a broad research approach that can be pursued any way you’d like. Here are a few examples of different ways you can use secondary research to explore your research topic .

Secondary research is a very common research approach, but has distinct advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of secondary research

Advantages include:

• Secondary data is very easy to source and readily available .
• It is also often free or accessible through your educational institution’s library or network, making it much cheaper to conduct than primary research .
• As you are relying on research that already exists, conducting secondary research is much less time consuming than primary research. Since your timeline is so much shorter, your research can be ready to publish sooner.
• Using data from others allows you to show reproducibility and replicability , bolstering prior research and situating your own work within your field.

Disadvantages of secondary research

Disadvantages include:

• Ease of access does not signify credibility . It’s important to be aware that secondary research is not always reliable , and can often be out of date. It’s critical to analyze any data you’re thinking of using prior to getting started, using a method like the CRAAP test .
• Secondary research often relies on primary research already conducted. If this original research is biased in any way, those research biases could creep into the secondary results.

Many researchers using the same secondary research to form similar conclusions can also take away from the uniqueness and reliability of your research. Many datasets become “kitchen-sink” models, where too many variables are added in an attempt to draw increasingly niche conclusions from overused data . Data cleansing may be necessary to test the quality of the research.

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If you want to know more about statistics , methodology , or research bias , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

• Normal distribution
• Degrees of freedom
• Null hypothesis
• Discourse analysis
• Control groups
• Mixed methods research
• Non-probability sampling
• Quantitative research
• Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Research bias

• Rosenthal effect
• Implicit bias
• Cognitive bias
• Selection bias
• Negativity bias
• Status quo bias

A systematic review is secondary research because it uses existing research. You don’t collect new data yourself.

The research methods you use depend on the type of data you need to answer your research question .

• If you want to measure something or test a hypothesis , use quantitative methods . If you want to explore ideas, thoughts and meanings, use qualitative methods .
• If you want to analyze a large amount of readily-available data, use secondary data. If you want data specific to your purposes with control over how it is generated, collect primary data.
• If you want to establish cause-and-effect relationships between variables , use experimental methods. If you want to understand the characteristics of a research subject, use descriptive methods.

Quantitative research deals with numbers and statistics, while qualitative research deals with words and meanings.

Quantitative methods allow you to systematically measure variables and test hypotheses . Qualitative methods allow you to explore concepts and experiences in more detail.

Sources in this article

We strongly encourage students to use sources in their work. You can cite our article (APA Style) or take a deep dive into the articles below.

George, T. (2024, January 12). What is Secondary Research? | Definition, Types, & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved April 2, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/secondary-research/

Largan, C., & Morris, T. M. (2019). Qualitative Secondary Research: A Step-By-Step Guide (1st ed.). SAGE Publications Ltd.

Peloquin, D., DiMaio, M., Bierer, B., & Barnes, M. (2020). Disruptive and avoidable: GDPR challenges to secondary research uses of data. European Journal of Human Genetics , 28 (6), 697–705. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41431-020-0596-x

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Primary vs Secondary Research – A Guide with Examples

Published by Alvin Nicolas at August 16th, 2021 , Revised On August 29, 2023

Introduction

Primary research or secondary research? How do you decide which is best for your dissertation paper?

As researchers, we need to be aware of the pros and cons of the two types of research methods to make sure their selected research method is the most appropriate, taking into account the topic of investigation .

The success of any dissertation paper largely depends on  choosing the correct research design . Before you can decide whether you must base your  research strategy  on primary or secondary research; it is important to understand the difference between primary resources and secondary resources.

What is the Difference between Primary Sources and Secondary Sources?

What are primary sources.

According to UCL libraries, primary sources are articles, images, or documents that provide direct evidence or first-hand testimony about any given research topic.

Is it important that we have a clear understanding of the information resulting from actions under investigation ? Primary sources allow us to get close to those events to recognise their analysis and interpretation in scientific and academic communities.

Examples of Primary Sources

Classic examples of primary sources include;

• Original documents are prepared by the researcher investigating any given topic of research.
• Reporters witnessing an event and reporting news.
• Conducting surveys to collect data , such as primary elections and population census.
• Interviews , speeches, letters, and diaries – what the participants wrote or said during data collection.
• Audio, video, and image files were created to capture an event

What are Secondary Sources?

However, when the researcher wishes to analyse and understand information coming out of events or actions that have already occurred, their work is regarded as a secondary source.

In essence, no secondary source can be created without using primary sources. The same information source or evidence can be considered either primary or secondary, depending on who is presenting the information and where the information is presented.

Examples of Secondary Sources

Some examples of secondary sources are;

• Documentaries (Even though the images, videos, and audio are seen as primary sources by the developer of the documentary)
• Articles, publications, journals, and research documents are created by those not directly involved in the research.
• Dissertations , thesis, and essays .
• Critical reviews.
• Books presented as evidence.

Need help with getting started with your dissertation paper? Here is a comprehensive article on “ How to write a dissertation – Step by step guide “.

What Type of Research you Should Base your Dissertation on – Primary or Secondary?

Below you will find detailed guidelines to help you make an informed decision if you have been thinking of the question “Should I use primary or secondary research in my dissertation”.

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• Primary Research

Primary research includes an exhaustive  analysis of data  to answer  research questions  that are specific and exploratory in nature.

Primary research methods with examples include the use of various primary research tools such as interviews,  research surveys , numerical data, observations, audio, video, and images to collect data directly rather than using existing literature.

Business organisations throughout the world have their employees or an external research agency conduct primary research on their behalf to address certain issues. On the other hand, undergraduate and postgraduate students conduct primary research as part of their dissertation projects  to fill an obvious research gap in their respective fields of study.

As indicated above, primary data can be collected in a number of ways, and so we have also  conducted in-depth research on the most common yet independent primary data collection techniques .

Sampling in Primary Research

When conducting primary research, it is vitally important to pay attention to the chosen  sampling method  which can be described as “ a specific principle used to select members of the population to participate in the research ”.

Oftentimes, the researcher might not be able to directly work with the targeted population because of its large size, and so it becomes indispensable to employ statistical sampling techniques where the researchers have no choice but to draw conclusions based on responses collected from the representative population.

The process of sampling in primary data collection includes the following five steps;

• Identifying the target population.
• Selecting an appropriate sampling frame.
• Determining the sampling size.
• Choosing a sampling method .
• Practical application of the selected sampling technique.

The researcher can gather responses when conducting primary research, but nonverbal communication and gestures play a considerable role. They help the researcher identify the various hidden elements which cannot be identified when conducting the secondary research.

How to use Social Media Networks for Dissertation Research

Reasons Why you Should Use Primary Research

• As stated previously, the most prominent advantage of primary research over secondary research is that the researcher is able to directly collect the data from the respondents which makes the data more authentic and reliable.
• Primary research has room for customisation based on the personal requirements and/or limitations of the researcher.
• Primary research allows for a comprehensive analysis of the subject matter to address the problem at hand .
• The researcher will have the luxury to decide how to collect and use the data, which means that they will be able to make use of the data in whatever way deemed fit to them to gain meaningful insights.
• The results obtained from primary research are recognised as credible throughout academic and scientific communities.

Reasons Why you Should not Use Primary Research

• If you are considering primary research for your dissertation , you need to be aware of the high costs involved in the process of gathering primary data. Undergraduate and Masters’ students often do not have the financial resources to fund their own research work. Ph.D. students, on the other hand, are awarded a very limited research budget to work with. Thus, if you are on a low or limited budget, conducting primary research might not be the most suitable option.
• Primary research can be extremely time-consuming. Getting your target population to participate in online surveys and face-to-face or telephonic interviews requires patience and a lot of time. This is especially important for undergraduate and Masters’ students who are required to complete and submit their work within a certain timeframe.
• Primary research is well recognised only when it makes use of several methods of data collection . Having just one primary research method will undermine your research. Using more than one method of data collection will mean that you need more time and financial resources.
• There might be participants who wouldn’t be willing to disclose their information, thus this aspect is crucial and should be looked into carefully.

One important aspect of primary research that researchers should look into is research ethics. Keeping participants’ information confidential is a research responsibility that should never be overlooked.

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• Secondary Research

Secondary research or desk-based research is the second type of research you could base your  research methodology in a dissertation  on. This type of research reviews and analyses existing research studies to improve the overall authenticity of the research.

Secondary research methods include the use of secondary sources of information including journal articles, published reports, public libraries, books, data available on the internet, government publications, and results from primary research studies conducted by other researchers in the past.

Unlike primary research, secondary research is cost-effective and less time-consuming simply because it uses existing literature and doesn’t require the researcher to spend time and financial resources to collect first-hand data.

Not all researchers and/or business organisations are able to afford a significant amount of money towards research, and that’s one of the reasons this type of research is the most popular in universities and organisations.

The Steps for Conducting Secondary Research

Secondary research involves the following five steps;

• Establishing the topic of research and setting up the research questions to be answered or the research hypothesis to be tested.
• Identifying authentic and reliable sources of information.
• Gather data relevant to the topic of research from various secondary sources such as books, journal articles, government publications, commercial sector reports.
• Combining the data in a suitable format so you can gain meaningful insights.
• Analysing the data to find a solution to a problem in hand

Reasons Why you Should Use Secondary Research

• Secondary sources are readily available with researchers facing little to no difficulty in accessing secondary data. Unlike primary data that involves a lengthy and complex process, secondary data can be collected by the researcher through a number of existing sources without having to leave the comfort of the desk.
• Secondary research is a simple process, and therefore the cost associated with it is almost negligible.

Reasons Why you Should Not Use Secondary Research

• Finding authentic and credible sources of secondary data is nothing less than a challenge. The internet these days is full of fake information, so it is important to exercise precaution when selecting and evaluating the available information.
• Secondary sources may not provide accurate and/or up-to-date numbers, so your research could be diluted if you are not including accurate statistics from recent timelines.
• Secondary research, in essence, is dependent on primary research and stems its findings from sets of primary data. The reliability of secondary research will, to a certain degree, depends on the quality of primary data used.

If you aren’t sure about the correct method of research for your dissertation paper, you should get help from an expert who can guide on whether you should use Primary or Secondary Research for your dissertation paper.

The Steps Involved in Writing a Dissertation 

Key Differences between Primary and Secondary Research

Should i use primary or secondary research for my dissertation paper – conclusion.

When choosing between primary and secondary research, you should always take into consideration the advantages and disadvantages of both types of research so you make an informed decision.

The best way to select the correct research strategy  for your dissertation is to look into your research topic,  research questions , aim and objectives – and of course the available time and financial resources.

Discussion pertaining to the two research techniques clearly indicates that primary research should be chosen when a specific topic, a case, organisation, etc. is to be researched about and the researcher has access to some financial resources.

Whereas secondary research should be considered when the research is general in nature and can be answered by analysing past researches and published data.

Not sure which research strategy you should apply,  get in touch with us right away . At ResearchProspect, we have Masters and Ph.D. qualified writers in all academic subjects so you can be confident of having your research; completed to the highest academic standard and well-recognised in the academic world.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between primary vs secondary research.

Primary research involves collecting firsthand data from sources like surveys or interviews. Secondary research involves analyzing existing data, such as articles or reports. Primary is original data gathering, while secondary relies on existing information.

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Sampling methods are used to to draw valid conclusions about a large community, organization or group of people, but they are based on evidence and reasoning.

This article provides the key advantages of primary research over secondary research so you can make an informed decision.

This post provides the key disadvantages of secondary research so you know the limitations of secondary research before making a decision.

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What are the Advantages & Disadvantages of Secondary Research?

Any project must go through the research process in order to gather specific information. Primary research is firsthand information, but on the other hand, secondary research acts as a guiding light, illuminating uncharted territories of knowledge. Like a beacon in the storm, it enables researchers to navigate the vast seas of information, tapping into existing resources to fuel their intellectual pursuits.

You can also view our following links:

Primary Research Methods: A Beginner's Guide

A Complete Guide: How to Write a Research Design

In this article, we will explore various types and examples of secondary research to inspire and guide aspiring researchers in formulating their own research queries.

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What is secondary research.

To define secondary research is the method of gathering and analysing existing data, information, and resources that others have already collected. It involves reviewing and synthesising the work of other researchers, scholars, experts, and organisations to gain insights, draw conclusions, or support a particular research objective.

How to Conduct Secondary Research

Secondary research is a valuable tool for gathering information from existing sources. To conduct effective secondary research, follow these steps for research. By following these steps, the researcher navigates the process of conducting secondary research efficiently and effectively, contributing to the existing body of knowledge and advancing your understanding of the research topic.

• Define Research Objectives

 Clearly identify your research topic, questions, and objectives to ensure focused and relevant exploration.

• Identify Relevant Sources

 Determine the most appropriate sources for your research, such as academic journals, books, databases, government reports, or reputable websites.

• Conduct Literature Review

Review existing literature to comprehensively understand the topic, identify key theories, concepts, and gaps in knowledge.

• Collect Data

 Extract relevant data from sources using methods like note-taking, summarizing, or using citation management tools for organized data collection.

• Analyze and Interpret Data

Analyze the collected data using qualitative or quantitative techniques to draw meaningful insights and identify patterns or trends.

• Compare and Synthesize Findings

Compare and synthesize the findings from different sources to identify commonalities, discrepancies, or emerging themes.

• Evaluate Source Credibility

Assess the credibility and reliability of the sources by considering factors like author expertise, publication reputation, and data quality.

• Document and Cite Sources

Properly document all sources used in your research and ensure accurate citation to maintain academic integrity and avoid plagiarism.

• Draw Conclusions and Recommendations

 Based on the analysis of secondary data, draw informed conclusions and provide recommendations for further research or practical applications.

• Communicate Findings

 Present your findings in a clear and organized manner through research reports, presentations, or academic papers.

Types of Secondary Research 

Secondary research, also known as desk research, refers to the process of gathering and analyzing existing data and information collected by others. It involves utilizing pre-existing sources to explore a specific topic or research question. Here are some common types with secondary research examples:

• Literature Reviews

For secondary research collecting data via literature review that are existing scholarly articles, books, and publications related to the research topic. A literature review is a great way to evaluate the state of the research and demonstrates familiarity with the scholarly debates around the subject.

For example;

If your research interest lies in understanding the reactions of campus police to student protest movements on campus, conducting a comprehensive literature review can provide valuable insights. By examining scholarly works spanning the past century that discuss student protest movements, you can gain a broader understanding of the topic and identify recurring themes or patterns.

• Case Studies

Examining previously conducted case studies to gain insights into specific situations, variables, and outcomes. When researching a difficult case study , you can decide whether to analyse only one instance in great detail if you'd want to compare various facets of your issue. 

For Example;

Suppose you wish to explore the acclimatization process of formerly incarcerated individuals. Analyze their experiences and narratives to develop a detailed case study of their reintegration into society.

• Content Analysis

Analysing and interpreting existing content, such as media articles, social media posts, and online discussions, to gain insights into public opinion, trends, and sentiment. Depending on whether you want to analyse countable or quantifiable patterns or more interpretive ones, it is either quantitative or qualitative in nature.

 If your focus is on the frequency of employment issues in political campaigns during the Great Depression, you can employ content analysis techniques. 

• Comparative Studies

Comparing and contrasting existing research studies and findings to identify commonalities, differences, and gaps in knowledge.

Comparing the impact of traditional lecture-based teaching and student-centered interactive learning on student learning outcomes.

The secondary research definition provides a valuable foundation for academic inquiry, offering a wealth of existing knowledge to build upon and contribute to the scholarly discourse. By leveraging these various types of secondary research, students can gain a comprehensive understanding of their chosen subjects and enhance their own research endeavours.

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Importance of Conducting Secondary Research

While it may not always be necessary to conduct secondary research for the research project. It is highly beneficial and often recommended in academic and research contexts. Here are a few reasons why secondary research is valuable:

• Enhancing Knowledge

 Secondary research allows you to tap into existing knowledge and gain a deeper understanding of a subject. By reviewing relevant literature, data, and information collected by others, you build upon existing theories, concepts, and findings.

• Time and Cost Efficiency

 Conducting primary research, which involves data collection from scratch, be time-consuming and resource-intensive. Secondary research offers a more efficient alternative by utilising pre-existing data and information, saving you time and reducing costs.

• Access to a Wide Range of Sources

Secondary research enables you to explore a vast array of sources, including academic journals, books, reports, and databases. This wide range of materials allows for a comprehensive and diverse exploration of your research topic.

• Validation and Verification

Secondary research allows you to validate and verify your own findings and arguments. By referencing established studies and scholarly work, you strengthen the credibility and reliability of your research.

• Identifying Research Gaps

Secondary research helps you identify gaps in existing knowledge or areas where further investigation is needed. By examining previous studies, you uncover unanswered questions or areas that require additional research, which contribute to the advancement of your field.

• Ethical Considerations

Conducting secondary research promotes ethical research practices, as it involves using already available data and respecting intellectual property rights. By properly citing and attributing sources, you demonstrate academic integrity and avoid plagiarism.

A primary research question may provide unique insights and data, but secondary research provides a broader context and a foundation to build on in support of primary research. By incorporating both primary and secondary research, you create a more comprehensive and well-rounded study.

Final Extraction

To cut it short, secondary research is a significant part of research writing. It refers to the secondary sources of data collection for research work. It includes literature reviews, case studies, comparative analysis of the available sources of information as compared to first hand or primary research. Time effectiveness and cost efficiency are some of its many benefits. This piece of writing has provided an essential information on how to conduct secondary research. 

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Understanding research and critical appraisal

What is secondary research.

Secondary research study designs.

• Primary research
• Critical appraisal of research papers
• Useful terminology
• Further reading and helpful resources

The aim of secondary research is to produce a more or less systematic appraisal and/or synthesis of the existing primary research on a topic. There are numerous types of reviews which aim to summarise or synthesise the evidence on a topic, but here we will focus on two: meta-analyses and systematic reviews.

For a fuller discussion of the range of review types, their features and uses, see: Sutton, A. et al . (2019) 'Meeting the review family: exploring review types and associated information retrieval requirements', Health Information and Libraries Journal , 36 (3), pp. 202-222.  doi:10.1111/hir.12276

Meta-analysis

A meta-analysis is a statistical synthesis of the results from multiple individual studies, usually randomised controlled trials (RCTs),

Carrying out a meta-analysis of studies allows results from multiple studies looking at the effect of an intervention to be combined, allowing for greater precision in the estimation of effects, and clarity over the direction and size of an effect. A meta-analysis can provide more conclusive evidence for or against the effectiveness of an intervention than individual studies alone.

A good meta-analysis should always be based on a systematic review of studies, and requires some homogeneity of participants, settings, interventions and outcome measures in the studies included.

Systematic review

A systematic review is not simply a literature review. A systematic review is a study which aims to synthesise all of the available primary research on a specific topic. The first step in a systematic review is a thorough search of all appropriate sources, including subject related databases, clinical trial registers and grey literature, in order to identify all of the relevant evidence. These searches should ideally be carried out by a librarian or information specialist in the field, or by others with a similar level of expertise. The systematic review itself should be carried out by two or more researchers, as a means of reducing possible bias.

All identified studies are screened for inclusion or exclusion according to strict criteria set out at the start of the study, and the data from those studies selected for inclusion is analysed and synthesised. Part of this process is an attempt to identify any potential source of bias in existing findings. A systematic review will offer a summary of the available research findings, and offer conclusions on the basis of these, taking into account any flaws or limitations in the original studies.

A systematic review can offer more generalisability and consistency of research findings than the individual studies on which it is based.

Systematic reviews may employ quantitative, qualitative (experiential), or mixed-methods approaches.

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Research Methods

Secondary research.

What is Secondary Research?

Advantages and disadvantages of secondary research, secondary research in literature reviews, secondary research - going beyond literature reviews, main stages of secondary research, useful resources, using material on this page.

• Quantitative Research This link opens in a new window
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Secondary research

Secondary research uses research and data that has already been carried out. It is sometimes referred to as desk research. It is a good starting point for any type of research as it enables you to analyse what research has already been undertaken and identify any gaps. 

You may only need to carry out secondary research for your assessment or you may need to use secondary research as a starting point, before undertaking your own primary research .

Searching for both primary and secondary sources can help to ensure that you are up to date with what research has already been carried out in your area of interest and to identify the key researchers in the field.

"Secondary sources are the books, articles, papers and similar materials written or produced by others that help you to form your background understanding of the subject. You would use these to find out about experts’ findings, analyses or perspectives on the issue and decide whether to draw upon these explicitly in your research." (Cottrell, 2014, p. 123).

Examples of secondary research sources include:.

• journal articles
• official statistics, such as government reports or organisations which have collected and published data

Primary research  involves gathering data which has not been collected before. Methods to collect it can include interviews, focus groups, controlled trials and case studies. Secondary research often comments on and analyses this primary research.

Gopalakrishnan and Ganeshkumar (2013, p. 10) explain the difference between primary and secondary research:

"Primary research is collecting data directly from patients or population, while secondary research is the analysis of data already collected through primary research. A review is an article that summarizes a number of primary studies and may draw conclusions on the topic of interest which can be traditional (unsystematic) or systematic".

Secondary Data

As secondary data has already been collected by someone else for their research purposes, it may not cover all of the areas of interest for your research topic. This research will need to be analysed alongside other research sources and data in the same subject area in order to confirm, dispute or discuss the findings in a wider context.

"Secondary source data, as the name infers, provides second-hand information. The data come ‘pre-packaged’, their form and content reflecting the fact that they have been produced by someone other than the researcher and will not have been produced specifically for the purpose of the research project. The data, none the less, will have some relevance for the research in terms of the information they contain, and the task for the researcher is to extract that information and re-use it in the context of his/her own research project." (Denscombe, 2021, p. 268)

In the video below Dr. Benedict Wheeler (Senior Research Fellow at the European Center for Environment and Human Health at the University of Exeter Medical School) discusses secondary data analysis. Secondary data was used for his research on how the environment affects health and well-being and utilising this secondary data gave access to a larger data set.

As with all research, an important part of the process is to critically evaluate any sources you use. There are tools to help with this in the  Being Critical  section of the guide.

Louise Corti, from the UK Data Archive, discusses using secondary data  in the video below. T he importance of evaluating secondary research is discussed - this is to ensure the data is appropriate for your research and to investigate how the data was collected.

There are advantages and disadvantages to secondary research:

Advantages:

• Usually low cost
• Easily accessible
• Provides background information to clarify / refine research areas
• Increases breadth of knowledge
• Shows different examples of research methods
• Can highlight gaps in the research and potentially outline areas of difficulty
• Can incorporate a wide range of data
• Allows you to identify opposing views and supporting arguments for your research topic
• Highlights the key researchers and work which is being undertaken within the subject area
• Helps to put your research topic into perspective

Disadvantages

• Can be out of date
• Might be unreliable if it is not clear where or how the research has been collected - remember to think critically
• May not be applicable to your specific research question as the aims will have had a different focus

Literature reviews 

Secondary research for your major project may take the form of a literature review . this is where you will outline the main research which has already been written on your topic. this might include theories and concepts connected with your topic and it should also look to see if there are any gaps in the research., as the criteria and guidance will differ for each school, it is important that you check the guidance which you have been given for your assessment. this may be in blackboard and you can also check with your supervisor..

The videos below include some insights from academics regarding the importance of literature reviews.

Secondary research which goes beyond literature reviews

For some dissertations/major projects there might only be a literature review (discussed above ). For others there could be a literature review followed by primary research and for others the literature review might be followed by further secondary research. 

You may be asked to write a literature review which will form a background chapter to give context to your project and provide the necessary history for the research topic. However, you may then also be expected to produce the rest of your project using additional secondary research methods, which will need to produce results and findings which are distinct from the background chapter t o avoid repetition .

Remember, as the criteria and guidance will differ for each School, it is important that you check the guidance which you have been given for your assessment. This may be in Blackboard and you can also check with your supervisor.

Although this type of secondary research will go beyond a literature review, it will still rely on research which has already been undertaken. And,  "just as in primary research, secondary research designs can be either quantitative, qualitative, or a mixture of both strategies of inquiry" (Manu and Akotia, 2021, p. 4) .

Your secondary research may use the literature review to focus on a specific theme, which is then discussed further in the main project. Or it may use an alternative approach. Some examples are included below.  Remember to speak with your supervisor if you are struggling to define these areas.

Some approaches of how to conduct secondary research include:

• A systematic review is a structured literature review that involves identifying all of the relevant primary research using a rigorous search strategy to answer a focused research question.
• This involves comprehensive searching which is used to identify themes or concepts across a number of relevant studies. 
• The review will assess the q uality of the research and provide a summary and synthesis of all relevant available research on the topic.
• The systematic review  LibGuide goes into more detail about this process (The guide is aimed a PhD/Researcher students. However, students on other levels of study may find parts of the guide helpful too).
• Scoping reviews aim to identify and assess available research on a specific topic (which can include ongoing research). 
• They are "particularly useful when a body of literature has not yet been comprehensively reviewed, or exhibits a complex or heterogeneous nature not amenable to a more precise systematic review of the evidence. While scoping reviews may be conducted to determine the value and probable scope of a full systematic review, they may also be undertaken as exercises in and of themselves to summarize and disseminate research findings, to identify research gaps, and to make recommendations for the future research."  (Peters et al., 2015) .
• This is designed to  summarise the current knowledge and provide priorities for future research.
• "A state-of-the-art review will often highlight new ideas or gaps in research with no official quality assessment." (Baguss, 2020) .
• "Bibliometric analysis is a popular and rigorous method for exploring and analyzing large volumes of scientific data." (Donthu et al., 2021)
• Quantitative methods and statistics are used to analyse the bibliographic data of published literature. This can be used to measure the impact of authors, publications, or topics within a subject area.

The bibliometric analysis often uses the data from a citation source such as Scopus or Web of Science .

• This is a technique used to combine the statistic results of prior quantitative studies in order to increase precision and validity.
• "It goes beyond the parameters of a literature review, which assesses existing literature, to actually perform calculations based on the results collated, thereby coming up with new results" (Curtis and Curtis, 2011, p. 220)

(Adapted from: Grant and Booth, 2009, cited in Sarhan and Manu, 2021, p. 72 )

• Grounded Theory is used to create explanatory theory from data which has been collected.
• "Grounded theory data analysis strategies can be used with different types of data, including secondary data." ( Whiteside, Mills and McCalman, 2012 )
• This allows you to use a specific theory or theories which can then be applied to your chosen topic/research area.
• You could focus on one case study which is analysed in depth, or you could examine more than one in order to compare and contrast the important aspects of your research question.
• "Good case studies often begin with a predicament that is poorly comprehended and is inadequately explained or traditionally rationalised by numerous conflicting accounts. Therefore, the aim is to comprehend an existent problem and to use the acquired understandings to develop new theoretical outlooks or explanations."  ( Papachroni and Lochrie, 2015, p. 81 )

Main stages of secondary research for a dissertation/major project

In general, the main stages for conducting secondary research for your dissertation or major project will include:

Click on the image below to access the reading list which includes resources used in this guide as well as some additional useful resources.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License .

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Secondary research: definition, methods, & examples.

19 min read This ultimate guide to secondary research helps you understand changes in market trends, customers buying patterns and your competition using existing data sources.

In situations where you’re not involved in the data gathering process ( primary research ), you have to rely on existing information and data to arrive at specific research conclusions or outcomes. This approach is known as secondary research.

In this article, we’re going to explain what secondary research is, how it works, and share some examples of it in practice.

Free eBook: The ultimate guide to conducting market research

Secondary research, also known as desk research, is a research method that involves compiling existing data sourced from a variety of channels . This includes internal sources (e.g.in-house research) or, more commonly, external sources (such as government statistics, organizational bodies, and the internet).

Secondary research comes in several formats, such as published datasets, reports, and survey responses , and can also be sourced from websites, libraries, and museums.

The information is usually free — or available at a limited access cost — and gathered using surveys , telephone interviews, observation, face-to-face interviews, and more.

When using secondary research, researchers collect, verify, analyze and incorporate it to help them confirm research goals for the research period.

As well as the above, it can be used to review previous research into an area of interest. Researchers can look for patterns across data spanning several years and identify trends — or use it to verify early hypothesis statements and establish whether it’s worth continuing research into a prospective area.

How to conduct secondary research

There are five key steps to conducting secondary research effectively and efficiently:

1.    Identify and define the research topic

First, understand what you will be researching and define the topic by thinking about the research questions you want to be answered.

Ask yourself: What is the point of conducting this research? Then, ask: What do we want to achieve?

This may indicate an exploratory reason (why something happened) or confirm a hypothesis. The answers may indicate ideas that need primary or secondary research (or a combination) to investigate them.

2.    Find research and existing data sources

If secondary research is needed, think about where you might find the information. This helps you narrow down your secondary sources to those that help you answer your questions. What keywords do you need to use?

Which organizations are closely working on this topic already? Are there any competitors that you need to be aware of?

Create a list of the data sources, information, and people that could help you with your work.

3.    Begin searching and collecting the existing data

Now that you have the list of data sources, start accessing the data and collect the information into an organized system. This may mean you start setting up research journal accounts or making telephone calls to book meetings with third-party research teams to verify the details around data results.

As you search and access information, remember to check the data’s date, the credibility of the source, the relevance of the material to your research topic, and the methodology used by the third-party researchers. Start small and as you gain results, investigate further in the areas that help your research’s aims.

4.    Combine the data and compare the results

When you have your data in one place, you need to understand, filter, order, and combine it intelligently. Data may come in different formats where some data could be unusable, while other information may need to be deleted.

After this, you can start to look at different data sets to see what they tell you. You may find that you need to compare the same datasets over different periods for changes over time or compare different datasets to notice overlaps or trends. Ask yourself: What does this data mean to my research? Does it help or hinder my research?

5.    Analyze your data and explore further

In this last stage of the process, look at the information you have and ask yourself if this answers your original questions for your research. Are there any gaps? Do you understand the information you’ve found? If you feel there is more to cover, repeat the steps and delve deeper into the topic so that you can get all the information you need.

If secondary research can’t provide these answers, consider supplementing your results with data gained from primary research. As you explore further, add to your knowledge and update your findings. This will help you present clear, credible information.

Primary vs secondary research

Unlike secondary research, primary research involves creating data first-hand by directly working with interviewees, target users, or a target market. Primary research focuses on the method for carrying out research, asking questions, and collecting data using approaches such as:

• Interviews (panel, face-to-face or over the phone)
• Questionnaires or surveys
• Focus groups

Using these methods, researchers can get in-depth, targeted responses to questions, making results more accurate and specific to their research goals. However, it does take time to do and administer.

Unlike primary research, secondary research uses existing data, which also includes published results from primary research. Researchers summarize the existing research and use the results to support their research goals.

Both primary and secondary research have their places. Primary research can support the findings found through secondary research (and fill knowledge gaps), while secondary research can be a starting point for further primary research. Because of this, these research methods are often combined for optimal research results that are accurate at both the micro and macro level.

Sources of Secondary Research

There are two types of secondary research sources: internal and external. Internal data refers to in-house data that can be gathered from the researcher’s organization. External data refers to data published outside of and not owned by the researcher’s organization.

Internal data

Internal data is a good first port of call for insights and knowledge, as you may already have relevant information stored in your systems. Because you own this information — and it won’t be available to other researchers — it can give you a competitive edge . Examples of internal data include:

• Database information on sales history and business goal conversions
• Information from website applications and mobile site data
• Customer-generated data on product and service efficiency and use
• Previous research results or supplemental research areas
• Previous campaign results

External data

External data is useful when you: 1) need information on a new topic, 2) want to fill in gaps in your knowledge, or 3) want data that breaks down a population or market for trend and pattern analysis. Examples of external data include:

• Government, non-government agencies, and trade body statistics
• Company reports and research
• Competitor research
• Public library collections
• Textbooks and research journals
• Media stories in newspapers
• Online journals and research sites

Three examples of secondary research methods in action

How and why might you conduct secondary research? Let’s look at a few examples:

1.    Collecting factual information from the internet on a specific topic or market

There are plenty of sites that hold data for people to view and use in their research. For example, Google Scholar, ResearchGate, or Wiley Online Library all provide previous research on a particular topic. Researchers can create free accounts and use the search facilities to look into a topic by keyword, before following the instructions to download or export results for further analysis.

This can be useful for exploring a new market that your organization wants to consider entering. For instance, by viewing the U.S Census Bureau demographic data for that area, you can see what the demographics of your target audience are , and create compelling marketing campaigns accordingly.

2.    Finding out the views of your target audience on a particular topic

If you’re interested in seeing the historical views on a particular topic, for example, attitudes to women’s rights in the US, you can turn to secondary sources.

Textbooks, news articles, reviews, and journal entries can all provide qualitative reports and interviews covering how people discussed women’s rights. There may be multimedia elements like video or documented posters of propaganda showing biased language usage.

By gathering this information, synthesizing it, and evaluating the language, who created it and when it was shared, you can create a timeline of how a topic was discussed over time.

3.    When you want to know the latest thinking on a topic

Educational institutions, such as schools and colleges, create a lot of research-based reports on younger audiences or their academic specialisms. Dissertations from students also can be submitted to research journals, making these places useful places to see the latest insights from a new generation of academics.

Information can be requested — and sometimes academic institutions may want to collaborate and conduct research on your behalf. This can provide key primary data in areas that you want to research, as well as secondary data sources for your research.

There are several benefits of using secondary research, which we’ve outlined below:

• Easily and readily available data – There is an abundance of readily accessible data sources that have been pre-collected for use, in person at local libraries and online using the internet. This data is usually sorted by filters or can be exported into spreadsheet format, meaning that little technical expertise is needed to access and use the data.
• Faster research speeds – Since the data is already published and in the public arena, you don’t need to collect this information through primary research. This can make the research easier to do and faster, as you can get started with the data quickly.
• Low financial and time costs – Most secondary data sources can be accessed for free or at a small cost to the researcher, so the overall research costs are kept low. In addition, by saving on preliminary research, the time costs for the researcher are kept down as well.
• Secondary data can drive additional research actions – The insights gained can support future research activities (like conducting a follow-up survey or specifying future detailed research topics) or help add value to these activities.
• Secondary data can be useful pre-research insights – Secondary source data can provide pre-research insights and information on effects that can help resolve whether research should be conducted. It can also help highlight knowledge gaps, so subsequent research can consider this.
• Ability to scale up results – Secondary sources can include large datasets (like Census data results across several states) so research results can be scaled up quickly using large secondary data sources.

The disadvantages of secondary research are worth considering in advance of conducting research :

• Secondary research data can be out of date – Secondary sources can be updated regularly, but if you’re exploring the data between two updates, the data can be out of date. Researchers will need to consider whether the data available provides the right research coverage dates, so that insights are accurate and timely, or if the data needs to be updated. Also, fast-moving markets may find secondary data expires very quickly.
• Secondary research needs to be verified and interpreted – Where there’s a lot of data from one source, a researcher needs to review and analyze it. The data may need to be verified against other data sets or your hypotheses for accuracy and to ensure you’re using the right data for your research.
• The researcher has had no control over the secondary research – As the researcher has not been involved in the secondary research, invalid data can affect the results. It’s therefore vital that the methodology and controls are closely reviewed so that the data is collected in a systematic and error-free way.
• Secondary research data is not exclusive – As data sets are commonly available, there is no exclusivity and many researchers can use the same data. This can be problematic where researchers want to have exclusive rights over the research results and risk duplication of research in the future.

When do we conduct secondary research?

Now that you know the basics of secondary research, when do researchers normally conduct secondary research?

It’s often used at the beginning of research, when the researcher is trying to understand the current landscape . In addition, if the research area is new to the researcher, it can form crucial background context to help them understand what information exists already. This can plug knowledge gaps, supplement the researcher’s own learning or add to the research.

Secondary research can also be used in conjunction with primary research. Secondary research can become the formative research that helps pinpoint where further primary research is needed to find out specific information. It can also support or verify the findings from primary research.

You can use secondary research where high levels of control aren’t needed by the researcher, but a lot of knowledge on a topic is required from different angles.

Secondary research should not be used in place of primary research as both are very different and are used for various circumstances.

Questions to ask before conducting secondary research

Before you start your secondary research, ask yourself these questions:

• Is there similar internal data that we have created for a similar area in the past?

If your organization has past research, it’s best to review this work before starting a new project. The older work may provide you with the answers, and give you a starting dataset and context of how your organization approached the research before. However, be mindful that the work is probably out of date and view it with that note in mind. Read through and look for where this helps your research goals or where more work is needed.

• What am I trying to achieve with this research?

When you have clear goals, and understand what you need to achieve, you can look for the perfect type of secondary or primary research to support the aims. Different secondary research data will provide you with different information – for example, looking at news stories to tell you a breakdown of your market’s buying patterns won’t be as useful as internal or external data e-commerce and sales data sources.

• How credible will my research be?

If you are looking for credibility, you want to consider how accurate the research results will need to be, and if you can sacrifice credibility for speed by using secondary sources to get you started. Bear in mind which sources you choose — low-credibility data sites, like political party websites that are highly biased to favor their own party, would skew your results.

• What is the date of the secondary research?

When you’re looking to conduct research, you want the results to be as useful as possible , so using data that is 10 years old won’t be as accurate as using data that was created a year ago. Since a lot can change in a few years, note the date of your research and look for earlier data sets that can tell you a more recent picture of results. One caveat to this is using data collected over a long-term period for comparisons with earlier periods, which can tell you about the rate and direction of change.

• Can the data sources be verified? Does the information you have check out?

If you can’t verify the data by looking at the research methodology, speaking to the original team or cross-checking the facts with other research, it could be hard to be sure that the data is accurate. Think about whether you can use another source, or if it’s worth doing some supplementary primary research to replicate and verify results to help with this issue.

We created a front-to-back guide on conducting market research, The ultimate guide to conducting market research , so you can understand the research journey with confidence.

In it, you’ll learn more about:

• What effective market research looks like
• The use cases for market research
• The most important steps to conducting market research
• And how to take action on your research findings

Download the free guide for a clearer view on secondary research and other key research types for your business.

Related resources

Market intelligence 10 min read, marketing insights 11 min read, ethnographic research 11 min read, qualitative vs quantitative research 13 min read, qualitative research questions 11 min read, qualitative research design 12 min read, primary vs secondary research 14 min read, request demo.

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Library Guides

Dissertations 4: methodology: methods.

• Introduction & Philosophy

Primary & Secondary Sources, Primary & Secondary Data

When describing your research methods, you can start by stating what kind of secondary and, if applicable, primary sources you used in your research. Explain why you chose such sources, how well they served your research, and identify possible issues encountered using these sources.  

Definitions  

There is some confusion on the use of the terms primary and secondary sources, and primary and secondary data. The confusion is also due to disciplinary differences (Lombard 2010). Whilst you are advised to consult the research methods literature in your field, we can generalise as follows:  

Secondary sources 

Secondary sources normally include the literature (books and articles) with the experts' findings, analysis and discussions on a certain topic (Cottrell, 2014, p123). Secondary sources often interpret primary sources.  

Primary sources 

Primary sources are "first-hand" information such as raw data, statistics, interviews, surveys, law statutes and law cases. Even literary texts, pictures and films can be primary sources if they are the object of research (rather than, for example, documentaries reporting on something else, in which case they would be secondary sources). The distinction between primary and secondary sources sometimes lies on the use you make of them (Cottrell, 2014, p123). 

Primary data 

Primary data are data (primary sources) you directly obtained through your empirical work (Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill 2015, p316). 

Secondary data 

Secondary data are data (primary sources) that were originally collected by someone else (Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill 2015, p316).   

Comparison between primary and secondary data   

Use  

Virtually all research will use secondary sources, at least as background information. 

Often, especially at the postgraduate level, it will also use primary sources - secondary and/or primary data. The engagement with primary sources is generally appreciated, as less reliant on others' interpretations, and closer to 'facts'. 

The use of primary data, as opposed to secondary data, demonstrates the researcher's effort to do empirical work and find evidence to answer her specific research question and fulfill her specific research objectives. Thus, primary data contribute to the originality of the research.    

Ultimately, you should state in this section of the methodology: 

What sources and data you are using and why (how are they going to help you answer the research question and/or test the hypothesis. 

If using primary data, why you employed certain strategies to collect them. 

What the advantages and disadvantages of your strategies to collect the data (also refer to the research in you field and research methods literature). 

Quantitative, Qualitative & Mixed Methods

The methodology chapter should reference your use of quantitative research, qualitative research and/or mixed methods. The following is a description of each along with their advantages and disadvantages. 

Quantitative research 

Quantitative research uses numerical data (quantities) deriving, for example, from experiments, closed questions in surveys, questionnaires, structured interviews or published data sets (Cottrell, 2014, p93). It normally processes and analyses this data using quantitative analysis techniques like tables, graphs and statistics to explore, present and examine relationships and trends within the data (Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill, 2015, p496). 

Qualitative research  

Qualitative research is generally undertaken to study human behaviour and psyche. It uses methods like in-depth case studies, open-ended survey questions, unstructured interviews, focus groups, or unstructured observations (Cottrell, 2014, p93). The nature of the data is subjective, and also the analysis of the researcher involves a degree of subjective interpretation. Subjectivity can be controlled for in the research design, or has to be acknowledged as a feature of the research. Subject-specific books on (qualitative) research methods offer guidance on such research designs.  

Mixed methods 

Mixed-method approaches combine both qualitative and quantitative methods, and therefore combine the strengths of both types of research. Mixed methods have gained popularity in recent years.  

When undertaking mixed-methods research you can collect the qualitative and quantitative data either concurrently or sequentially. If sequentially, you can for example, start with a few semi-structured interviews, providing qualitative insights, and then design a questionnaire to obtain quantitative evidence that your qualitative findings can also apply to a wider population (Specht, 2019, p138). 

Ultimately, your methodology chapter should state: 

Whether you used quantitative research, qualitative research or mixed methods. 

Why you chose such methods (and refer to research method sources). 

Why you rejected other methods. 

How well the method served your research. 

The problems or limitations you encountered. 

Doug Specht, Senior Lecturer at the Westminster School of Media and Communication, explains mixed methods research in the following video:

LinkedIn Learning Video on Academic Research Foundations: Quantitative

The video covers the characteristics of quantitative research, and explains how to approach different parts of the research process, such as creating a solid research question and developing a literature review. He goes over the elements of a study, explains how to collect and analyze data, and shows how to present your data in written and numeric form.

Link to quantitative research video

Some Types of Methods

There are several methods you can use to get primary data. To reiterate, the choice of the methods should depend on your research question/hypothesis. 

Whatever methods you will use, you will need to consider: 

why did you choose one technique over another? What were the advantages and disadvantages of the technique you chose? 

what was the size of your sample? Who made up your sample? How did you select your sample population? Why did you choose that particular sampling strategy?) 

ethical considerations (see also tab...)  

safety considerations  

validity  

feasibility  

recording  

procedure of the research (see box procedural method...).  

Check Stella Cottrell's book  Dissertations and Project Reports: A Step by Step Guide  for some succinct yet comprehensive information on most methods (the following account draws mostly on her work). Check a research methods book in your discipline for more specific guidance.  

Experiments 

Experiments are useful to investigate cause and effect, when the variables can be tightly controlled. They can test a theory or hypothesis in controlled conditions. Experiments do not prove or disprove an hypothesis, instead they support or not support an hypothesis. When using the empirical and inductive method it is not possible to achieve conclusive results. The results may only be valid until falsified by other experiments and observations. 

For more information on Scientific Method, click here . 

Observations 

Observational methods are useful for in-depth analyses of behaviours in people, animals, organisations, events or phenomena. They can test a theory or products in real life or simulated settings. They generally a qualitative research method.  

Questionnaires and surveys 

Questionnaires and surveys are useful to gain opinions, attitudes, preferences, understandings on certain matters. They can provide quantitative data that can be collated systematically; qualitative data, if they include opportunities for open-ended responses; or both qualitative and quantitative elements. 

Interviews  

Interviews are useful to gain rich, qualitative information about individuals' experiences, attitudes or perspectives. With interviews you can follow up immediately on responses for clarification or further details. There are three main types of interviews: structured (following a strict pattern of questions, which expect short answers), semi-structured (following a list of questions, with the opportunity to follow up the answers with improvised questions), and unstructured (following a short list of broad questions, where the respondent can lead more the conversation) (Specht, 2019, p142). 

This short video on qualitative interviews discusses best practices and covers qualitative interview design, preparation and data collection methods. 

Focus groups   

In this case, a group of people (normally, 4-12) is gathered for an interview where the interviewer asks questions to such group of participants. Group interactions and discussions can be highly productive, but the researcher has to beware of the group effect, whereby certain participants and views dominate the interview (Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill 2015, p419). The researcher can try to minimise this by encouraging involvement of all participants and promoting a multiplicity of views. 

This video focuses on strategies for conducting research using focus groups.  

Check out the guidance on online focus groups by Aliaksandr Herasimenka, which is attached at the bottom of this text box. 

Case study 

Case studies are often a convenient way to narrow the focus of your research by studying how a theory or literature fares with regard to a specific person, group, organisation, event or other type of entity or phenomenon you identify. Case studies can be researched using other methods, including those described in this section. Case studies give in-depth insights on the particular reality that has been examined, but may not be representative of what happens in general, they may not be generalisable, and may not be relevant to other contexts. These limitations have to be acknowledged by the researcher.     

Content analysis 

Content analysis consists in the study of words or images within a text. In its broad definition, texts include books, articles, essays, historical documents, speeches, conversations, advertising, interviews, social media posts, films, theatre, paintings or other visuals. Content analysis can be quantitative (e.g. word frequency) or qualitative (e.g. analysing intention and implications of the communication). It can detect propaganda, identify intentions of writers, and can see differences in types of communication (Specht, 2019, p146). Check this page on collecting, cleaning and visualising Twitter data.

Extra links and resources:  

Research Methods  

A clear and comprehensive overview of research methods by Emerald Publishing. It includes: crowdsourcing as a research tool; mixed methods research; case study; discourse analysis; ground theory; repertory grid; ethnographic method and participant observation; interviews; focus group; action research; analysis of qualitative data; survey design; questionnaires; statistics; experiments; empirical research; literature review; secondary data and archival materials; data collection. 

Doing your dissertation during the COVID-19 pandemic  

Resources providing guidance on doing dissertation research during the pandemic: Online research methods; Secondary data sources; Webinars, conferences and podcasts; 

• Virtual Focus Groups Guidance on managing virtual focus groups

5 Minute Methods Videos

The following are a series of useful videos that introduce research methods in five minutes. These resources have been produced by lecturers and students with the University of Westminster's School of Media and Communication. 

Case Study Research

Research Ethics

Quantitative Content Analysis 

Sequential Analysis 

Qualitative Content Analysis 

Thematic Analysis 

Social Media Research 

Mixed Method Research 

Procedural Method

In this part, provide an accurate, detailed account of the methods and procedures that were used in the study or the experiment (if applicable!). 

Include specifics about participants, sample, materials, design and methods. 

If the research involves human subjects, then include a detailed description of who and how many participated along with how the participants were selected.  

Describe all materials used for the study, including equipment, written materials and testing instruments. 

Identify the study's design and any variables or controls employed. 

Write out the steps in the order that they were completed. 

Indicate what participants were asked to do, how measurements were taken and any calculations made to raw data collected. 

Specify statistical techniques applied to the data to reach your conclusions. 

Provide evidence that you incorporated rigor into your research. This is the quality of being thorough and accurate and considers the logic behind your research design. 

Highlight any drawbacks that may have limited your ability to conduct your research thoroughly. 

You have to provide details to allow others to replicate the experiment and/or verify the data, to test the validity of the research. 

Bibliography

Cottrell, S. (2014). Dissertations and project reports: a step by step guide. Hampshire, England: Palgrave Macmillan.

Lombard, E. (2010). Primary and secondary sources.  The Journal of Academic Librarianship , 36(3), 250-253

Saunders, M.N.K., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2015).  Research Methods for Business Students.  New York: Pearson Education. 

Specht, D. (2019).  The Media And Communications Study Skills Student Guide . London: University of Westminster Press.  

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• What Is a Research Methodology? | Steps & Tips

What Is a Research Methodology? | Steps & Tips

Published on 25 February 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on 10 October 2022.

Your research methodology discusses and explains the data collection and analysis methods you used in your research. A key part of your thesis, dissertation, or research paper, the methodology chapter explains what you did and how you did it, allowing readers to evaluate the reliability and validity of your research.

It should include:

• The type of research you conducted
• How you collected and analysed your data
• Any tools or materials you used in the research
• Why you chose these methods
• Your methodology section should generally be written in the past tense .
• Academic style guides in your field may provide detailed guidelines on what to include for different types of studies.
• Your citation style might provide guidelines for your methodology section (e.g., an APA Style methods section ).

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How to write a research methodology, why is a methods section important, step 1: explain your methodological approach, step 2: describe your data collection methods, step 3: describe your analysis method, step 4: evaluate and justify the methodological choices you made, tips for writing a strong methodology chapter, frequently asked questions about methodology.

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Your methods section is your opportunity to share how you conducted your research and why you chose the methods you chose. It’s also the place to show that your research was rigorously conducted and can be replicated .

It gives your research legitimacy and situates it within your field, and also gives your readers a place to refer to if they have any questions or critiques in other sections.

You can start by introducing your overall approach to your research. You have two options here.

Option 1: Start with your “what”

What research problem or question did you investigate?

• Aim to describe the characteristics of something?
• Explore an under-researched topic?
• Establish a causal relationship?

And what type of data did you need to achieve this aim?

• Quantitative data , qualitative data , or a mix of both?
• Primary data collected yourself, or secondary data collected by someone else?
• Experimental data gathered by controlling and manipulating variables, or descriptive data gathered via observations?

Option 2: Start with your “why”

Depending on your discipline, you can also start with a discussion of the rationale and assumptions underpinning your methodology. In other words, why did you choose these methods for your study?

• Why is this the best way to answer your research question?
• Is this a standard methodology in your field, or does it require justification?
• Were there any ethical considerations involved in your choices?
• What are the criteria for validity and reliability in this type of research ?

Once you have introduced your reader to your methodological approach, you should share full details about your data collection methods .

Quantitative methods

In order to be considered generalisable, you should describe quantitative research methods in enough detail for another researcher to replicate your study.

Here, explain how you operationalised your concepts and measured your variables. Discuss your sampling method or inclusion/exclusion criteria, as well as any tools, procedures, and materials you used to gather your data.

Surveys Describe where, when, and how the survey was conducted.

• How did you design the questionnaire?
• What form did your questions take (e.g., multiple choice, Likert scale )?
• Were your surveys conducted in-person or virtually?
• What sampling method did you use to select participants?
• What was your sample size and response rate?

Experiments Share full details of the tools, techniques, and procedures you used to conduct your experiment.

• How did you design the experiment ?
• How did you recruit participants?
• How did you manipulate and measure the variables ?
• What tools did you use?

Existing data Explain how you gathered and selected the material (such as datasets or archival data) that you used in your analysis.

• Where did you source the material?
• How was the data originally produced?
• What criteria did you use to select material (e.g., date range)?

The survey consisted of 5 multiple-choice questions and 10 questions measured on a 7-point Likert scale.

The goal was to collect survey responses from 350 customers visiting the fitness apparel company’s brick-and-mortar location in Boston on 4–8 July 2022, between 11:00 and 15:00.

Here, a customer was defined as a person who had purchased a product from the company on the day they took the survey. Participants were given 5 minutes to fill in the survey anonymously. In total, 408 customers responded, but not all surveys were fully completed. Due to this, 371 survey results were included in the analysis.

Qualitative methods

In qualitative research , methods are often more flexible and subjective. For this reason, it’s crucial to robustly explain the methodology choices you made.

Be sure to discuss the criteria you used to select your data, the context in which your research was conducted, and the role you played in collecting your data (e.g., were you an active participant, or a passive observer?)

Interviews or focus groups Describe where, when, and how the interviews were conducted.

• How did you find and select participants?
• How many participants took part?
• What form did the interviews take ( structured , semi-structured , or unstructured )?
• How long were the interviews?
• How were they recorded?

Participant observation Describe where, when, and how you conducted the observation or ethnography .

• What group or community did you observe? How long did you spend there?
• How did you gain access to this group? What role did you play in the community?
• How long did you spend conducting the research? Where was it located?
• How did you record your data (e.g., audiovisual recordings, note-taking)?

Existing data Explain how you selected case study materials for your analysis.

• What type of materials did you analyse?
• How did you select them?

In order to gain better insight into possibilities for future improvement of the fitness shop’s product range, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 8 returning customers.

Here, a returning customer was defined as someone who usually bought products at least twice a week from the store.

Surveys were used to select participants. Interviews were conducted in a small office next to the cash register and lasted approximately 20 minutes each. Answers were recorded by note-taking, and seven interviews were also filmed with consent. One interviewee preferred not to be filmed.

Mixed methods

Mixed methods research combines quantitative and qualitative approaches. If a standalone quantitative or qualitative study is insufficient to answer your research question, mixed methods may be a good fit for you.

Mixed methods are less common than standalone analyses, largely because they require a great deal of effort to pull off successfully. If you choose to pursue mixed methods, it’s especially important to robustly justify your methods here.

Next, you should indicate how you processed and analysed your data. Avoid going into too much detail: you should not start introducing or discussing any of your results at this stage.

In quantitative research , your analysis will be based on numbers. In your methods section, you can include:

• How you prepared the data before analysing it (e.g., checking for missing data , removing outliers , transforming variables)
• Which software you used (e.g., SPSS, Stata or R)
• Which statistical tests you used (e.g., two-tailed t test , simple linear regression )

In qualitative research, your analysis will be based on language, images, and observations (often involving some form of textual analysis ).

Specific methods might include:

• Content analysis : Categorising and discussing the meaning of words, phrases and sentences
• Thematic analysis : Coding and closely examining the data to identify broad themes and patterns
• Discourse analysis : Studying communication and meaning in relation to their social context

Mixed methods combine the above two research methods, integrating both qualitative and quantitative approaches into one coherent analytical process.

Above all, your methodology section should clearly make the case for why you chose the methods you did. This is especially true if you did not take the most standard approach to your topic. In this case, discuss why other methods were not suitable for your objectives, and show how this approach contributes new knowledge or understanding.

In any case, it should be overwhelmingly clear to your reader that you set yourself up for success in terms of your methodology’s design. Show how your methods should lead to results that are valid and reliable, while leaving the analysis of the meaning, importance, and relevance of your results for your discussion section .

• Quantitative: Lab-based experiments cannot always accurately simulate real-life situations and behaviours, but they are effective for testing causal relationships between variables .
• Qualitative: Unstructured interviews usually produce results that cannot be generalised beyond the sample group , but they provide a more in-depth understanding of participants’ perceptions, motivations, and emotions.
• Mixed methods: Despite issues systematically comparing differing types of data, a solely quantitative study would not sufficiently incorporate the lived experience of each participant, while a solely qualitative study would be insufficiently generalisable.

Remember that your aim is not just to describe your methods, but to show how and why you applied them. Again, it’s critical to demonstrate that your research was rigorously conducted and can be replicated.

1. Focus on your objectives and research questions

The methodology section should clearly show why your methods suit your objectives  and convince the reader that you chose the best possible approach to answering your problem statement and research questions .

2. Cite relevant sources

Your methodology can be strengthened by referencing existing research in your field. This can help you to:

• Show that you followed established practice for your type of research
• Discuss how you decided on your approach by evaluating existing research
• Present a novel methodological approach to address a gap in the literature

3. Write for your audience

Consider how much information you need to give, and avoid getting too lengthy. If you are using methods that are standard for your discipline, you probably don’t need to give a lot of background or justification.

Regardless, your methodology should be a clear, well-structured text that makes an argument for your approach, not just a list of technical details and procedures.

Methodology refers to the overarching strategy and rationale of your research. Developing your methodology involves studying the research methods used in your field and the theories or principles that underpin them, in order to choose the approach that best matches your objectives.

Methods are the specific tools and procedures you use to collect and analyse data (e.g. interviews, experiments , surveys , statistical tests ).

In a dissertation or scientific paper, the methodology chapter or methods section comes after the introduction and before the results , discussion and conclusion .

Depending on the length and type of document, you might also include a literature review or theoretical framework before the methodology.

Quantitative methods allow you to test a hypothesis by systematically collecting and analysing data, while qualitative methods allow you to explore ideas and experiences in depth.

A sample is a subset of individuals from a larger population. Sampling means selecting the group that you will actually collect data from in your research.

For example, if you are researching the opinions of students in your university, you could survey a sample of 100 students.

Statistical sampling allows you to test a hypothesis about the characteristics of a population. There are various sampling methods you can use to ensure that your sample is representative of the population as a whole.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the ‘Cite this Scribbr article’ button to automatically add the citation to our free Reference Generator.

McCombes, S. (2022, October 10). What Is a Research Methodology? | Steps & Tips. Scribbr. Retrieved 2 April 2024, from https://www.scribbr.co.uk/thesis-dissertation/methodology/

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A comprehensive guide to desk-based research: unlocking secondary data sources.

What is Desk-based research?

Desk research is a type of study based on material published in reports and similar materials available in public libraries, websites, data acquired from previously conducted surveys, and so on. Some businesses also keep data that can be utilized for the study. It is a research approach that uses already secondary data collection methods . These are gathered and summarized to improve the investigation’s overall efficacy.

Desk-based research, also known as secondary research, involves utilizing existing sources of information to gather data for your PhD thesis . This type of research can be a valuable complement to primary research, as it allows you to explore existing knowledge, gain insights, and support or refute existing theories.

Desk-based research examples:

Desk research is a popular alternative for businesses and organizations since it is a low-cost approach. Not everyone can afford to pay significant amounts of money to research design and gather data. That is why it is also known as “documentary research.”

Here’s a comprehensive guide to conducting desk-based research and unlocking secondary data sources for your PhD thesis:

• Refine your research questions : Clearly define your research questions or objectives. This will help you focus your desk-based research efforts and identify the specific types of data you need to collect.
• Identify relevant sources : Determine the types of sources that are most suitable for your research. These can include academic journals, books, conference proceedings, government reports, industry publications, statistical databases, websites, and other scholarly resources. Consider both online and offline sources.
• Develop search strategies : Plan your search strategies to locate relevant information effectively. Start by creating a list of keywords and synonyms related to your research topic. Use these keywords to search databases, library catalogues, and search engines. Consider using Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) to effectively refine your searches and combine keywords.
• Utilize academic databases : Academic databases such as JSTOR, PubMed , Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar are excellent resources for finding scholarly articles and papers. These databases allow you to search across various disciplines and access a wide range of academic publications.
• Explore institutional libraries : Visit your university or other institutions to access books, thesis, dissertations , and other relevant materials. Librarians can guide you on using the library catalog effectively and help you navigate available resources.
• Access government and organizational reports : Government agencies, research institutes, and organizations often publish reports, white papers, and studies that can provide valuable data and insights. To access these reports, visit relevant websites and explore their research or publications sections.

• Evaluate source credibility : Assess the credibility and reliability of the sources you find. Consider factors such as the author’s expertise, the publication’s reputation, the presence of peer review, and the recency of the information. Use academic judgment to determine the trustworthiness of the sources.
• Extract and organize data : Extract relevant data from the sources you collect. This can include quantitative data, qualitative findings, theories, arguments, or conceptual frameworks. Create a system to organize and store your extracted secondary data collection, such as a spreadsheet or a reference management tool like Zotero or Mendeley.
• Check out our Sample data collection for the Project to see how the secondary data collection is constructed.
• Analyze and synthesize the data : Analyze the secondary data in the research methodology you have gathered and synthesize the information to support your research questions. Identify patterns, themes, and gaps in the existing literature . Compare and contrast different viewpoints and theories, and critically evaluate the strength of the evidence.
• Integrate secondary data with primary research: If you are conducting primary research alongside your desk-based research, integrate the types of secondary data collection into your analysis. Use the secondary data to provide context, compare findings, or support your arguments.
• Cite and reference your sources : Properly cite and reference all the sources you have used in your desk-based research methodology dissertation. Follow the appropriate citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago) as per your institution’s guidelines. Maintain accurate records of your references to avoid plagiarism and facilitate the writing of your thesis.

Desk-based research provides a foundation of knowledge and can significantly enhance the quality and depth of your PhD thesis. However, it is important to balance secondary research with primary research to contribute original insights and perspectives to your field of study.

• Check out our study guide to learn more about Secondary data collection. How to collect data for your PhD Thesis?

Qualitative desk-based research leverages existing data sources to access diverse information without primary data collection . Researchers gain insights into historical trends, longitudinal studies, and cross-comparisons by analyzing academic journals, government reports, industry publications, and online databases. However, caution must be exercised to ensure data credibility and relevance. Skilled researchers can make well-founded, evidence-based conclusions in any field.

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Ph.D. Assistance is completely aware that data collecting is the most critical phase in doing research and can significantly impact the results or conclusion. Our global staff of PhD experts assists you in data collecting based on the study topic and data source. Because PhD experts from across the world educate our data-collecting staff, their implicit and explicit expertise has enabled them to gather any survey (personal interview, mail, in-house), focus groups, etc. and translate it into a more accessible format, therefore assisting decision-making.

• Guerin, Benoit, Barbara Janta, and Anke van Gorp. “Desk-based research and literature review.”  Evaluating interventions that prevent or counter violent extremism 63 (2018).
• Bassot, Barbara.  Doing qualitative desk-based research: a practical guide to writing an excellent dissertation . Policy Press, 2022.
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Dissertation Structure & Layout 101: How to structure your dissertation, thesis or research project.

By: Derek Jansen (MBA) Reviewed By: David Phair (PhD) | July 2019

So, you’ve got a decent understanding of what a dissertation is , you’ve chosen your topic and hopefully you’ve received approval for your research proposal . Awesome! Now its time to start the actual dissertation or thesis writing journey.

To craft a high-quality document, the very first thing you need to understand is dissertation structure . In this post, we’ll walk you through the generic dissertation structure and layout, step by step. We’ll start with the big picture, and then zoom into each chapter to briefly discuss the core contents. If you’re just starting out on your research journey, you should start with this post, which covers the big-picture process of how to write a dissertation or thesis .

*The Caveat *

In this post, we’ll be discussing a traditional dissertation/thesis structure and layout, which is generally used for social science research across universities, whether in the US, UK, Europe or Australia. However, some universities may have small variations on this structure (extra chapters, merged chapters, slightly different ordering, etc).

So, always check with your university if they have a prescribed structure or layout that they expect you to work with. If not, it’s safe to assume the structure we’ll discuss here is suitable. And even if they do have a prescribed structure, you’ll still get value from this post as we’ll explain the core contents of each section.  

Overview: S tructuring a dissertation or thesis

• Acknowledgements page
• Abstract (or executive summary)
• Table of contents , list of figures and tables
• Chapter 1: Introduction
• Chapter 2: Literature review
• Chapter 3: Methodology
• Chapter 4: Results
• Chapter 5: Discussion
• Chapter 6: Conclusion
• Reference list

As I mentioned, some universities will have slight variations on this structure. For example, they want an additional “personal reflection chapter”, or they might prefer the results and discussion chapter to be merged into one. Regardless, the overarching flow will always be the same, as this flow reflects the research process , which we discussed here – i.e.:

• The introduction chapter presents the core research question and aims .
• The literature review chapter assesses what the current research says about this question.
• The methodology, results and discussion chapters go about undertaking new research about this question.
• The conclusion chapter (attempts to) answer the core research question .

In other words, the dissertation structure and layout reflect the research process of asking a well-defined question(s), investigating, and then answering the question – see below.

To restate that – the structure and layout of a dissertation reflect the flow of the overall research process . This is essential to understand, as each chapter will make a lot more sense if you “get” this concept. If you’re not familiar with the research process, read this post before going further.

Right. Now that we’ve covered the big picture, let’s dive a little deeper into the details of each section and chapter. Oh and by the way, you can also grab our free dissertation/thesis template here to help speed things up.

The title page of your dissertation is the very first impression the marker will get of your work, so it pays to invest some time thinking about your title. But what makes for a good title? A strong title needs to be 3 things:

• Succinct (not overly lengthy or verbose)
• Specific (not vague or ambiguous)
• Representative of the research you’re undertaking (clearly linked to your research questions)

Typically, a good title includes mention of the following:

• The broader area of the research (i.e. the overarching topic)
• The specific focus of your research (i.e. your specific context)
• Indication of research design (e.g. quantitative , qualitative , or  mixed methods ).

For example:

A quantitative investigation [research design] into the antecedents of organisational trust [broader area] in the UK retail forex trading market [specific context/area of focus].

Again, some universities may have specific requirements regarding the format and structure of the title, so it’s worth double-checking expectations with your institution (if there’s no mention in the brief or study material).

Acknowledgements

This page provides you with an opportunity to say thank you to those who helped you along your research journey. Generally, it’s optional (and won’t count towards your marks), but it is academic best practice to include this.

So, who do you say thanks to? Well, there’s no prescribed requirements, but it’s common to mention the following people:

• Your dissertation supervisor or committee.
• Any professors, lecturers or academics that helped you understand the topic or methodologies.
• Any tutors, mentors or advisors.
• Your family and friends, especially spouse (for adult learners studying part-time).

There’s no need for lengthy rambling. Just state who you’re thankful to and for what (e.g. thank you to my supervisor, John Doe, for his endless patience and attentiveness) – be sincere. In terms of length, you should keep this to a page or less.

Abstract or executive summary

The dissertation abstract (or executive summary for some degrees) serves to provide the first-time reader (and marker or moderator) with a big-picture view of your research project. It should give them an understanding of the key insights and findings from the research, without them needing to read the rest of the report – in other words, it should be able to stand alone .

For it to stand alone, your abstract should cover the following key points (at a minimum):

• Your research questions and aims – what key question(s) did your research aim to answer?
• Your methodology – how did you go about investigating the topic and finding answers to your research question(s)?
• Your findings – following your own research, what did do you discover?
• Your conclusions – based on your findings, what conclusions did you draw? What answers did you find to your research question(s)?

So, in much the same way the dissertation structure mimics the research process, your abstract or executive summary should reflect the research process, from the initial stage of asking the original question to the final stage of answering that question.

In practical terms, it’s a good idea to write this section up last , once all your core chapters are complete. Otherwise, you’ll end up writing and rewriting this section multiple times (just wasting time). For a step by step guide on how to write a strong executive summary, check out this post .

Need a helping hand?

This section is straightforward. You’ll typically present your table of contents (TOC) first, followed by the two lists – figures and tables. I recommend that you use Microsoft Word’s automatic table of contents generator to generate your TOC. If you’re not familiar with this functionality, the video below explains it simply:

If you find that your table of contents is overly lengthy, consider removing one level of depth. Oftentimes, this can be done without detracting from the usefulness of the TOC.

Right, now that the “admin” sections are out of the way, its time to move on to your core chapters. These chapters are the heart of your dissertation and are where you’ll earn the marks. The first chapter is the introduction chapter – as you would expect, this is the time to introduce your research…

It’s important to understand that even though you’ve provided an overview of your research in your abstract, your introduction needs to be written as if the reader has not read that (remember, the abstract is essentially a standalone document). So, your introduction chapter needs to start from the very beginning, and should address the following questions:

• What will you be investigating (in plain-language, big picture-level)?
• Why is that worth investigating? How is it important to academia or business? How is it sufficiently original?
• What are your research aims and research question(s)? Note that the research questions can sometimes be presented at the end of the literature review (next chapter).
• What is the scope of your study? In other words, what will and won’t you cover ?
• How will you approach your research? In other words, what methodology will you adopt?
• How will you structure your dissertation? What are the core chapters and what will you do in each of them?

These are just the bare basic requirements for your intro chapter. Some universities will want additional bells and whistles in the intro chapter, so be sure to carefully read your brief or consult your research supervisor.

If done right, your introduction chapter will set a clear direction for the rest of your dissertation. Specifically, it will make it clear to the reader (and marker) exactly what you’ll be investigating, why that’s important, and how you’ll be going about the investigation. Conversely, if your introduction chapter leaves a first-time reader wondering what exactly you’ll be researching, you’ve still got some work to do.

Now that you’ve set a clear direction with your introduction chapter, the next step is the literature review . In this section, you will analyse the existing research (typically academic journal articles and high-quality industry publications), with a view to understanding the following questions:

• What does the literature currently say about the topic you’re investigating?
• Is the literature lacking or well established? Is it divided or in disagreement?
• How does your research fit into the bigger picture?
• How does your research contribute something original?
• How does the methodology of previous studies help you develop your own?

Depending on the nature of your study, you may also present a conceptual framework towards the end of your literature review, which you will then test in your actual research.

Again, some universities will want you to focus on some of these areas more than others, some will have additional or fewer requirements, and so on. Therefore, as always, its important to review your brief and/or discuss with your supervisor, so that you know exactly what’s expected of your literature review chapter.

Now that you’ve investigated the current state of knowledge in your literature review chapter and are familiar with the existing key theories, models and frameworks, its time to design your own research. Enter the methodology chapter – the most “science-ey” of the chapters…

In this chapter, you need to address two critical questions:

• Exactly HOW will you carry out your research (i.e. what is your intended research design)?
• Exactly WHY have you chosen to do things this way (i.e. how do you justify your design)?

Remember, the dissertation part of your degree is first and foremost about developing and demonstrating research skills . Therefore, the markers want to see that you know which methods to use, can clearly articulate why you’ve chosen then, and know how to deploy them effectively.

Importantly, this chapter requires detail – don’t hold back on the specifics. State exactly what you’ll be doing, with who, when, for how long, etc. Moreover, for every design choice you make, make sure you justify it.

In practice, you will likely end up coming back to this chapter once you’ve undertaken all your data collection and analysis, and revise it based on changes you made during the analysis phase. This is perfectly fine. Its natural for you to add an additional analysis technique, scrap an old one, etc based on where your data lead you. Of course, I’m talking about small changes here – not a fundamental switch from qualitative to quantitative, which will likely send your supervisor in a spin!

You’ve now collected your data and undertaken your analysis, whether qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods. In this chapter, you’ll present the raw results of your analysis . For example, in the case of a quant study, you’ll present the demographic data, descriptive statistics, inferential statistics , etc.

Typically, Chapter 4 is simply a presentation and description of the data, not a discussion of the meaning of the data. In other words, it’s descriptive, rather than analytical – the meaning is discussed in Chapter 5. However, some universities will want you to combine chapters 4 and 5, so that you both present and interpret the meaning of the data at the same time. Check with your institution what their preference is.

Now that you’ve presented the data analysis results, its time to interpret and analyse them. In other words, its time to discuss what they mean, especially in relation to your research question(s).

What you discuss here will depend largely on your chosen methodology. For example, if you’ve gone the quantitative route, you might discuss the relationships between variables . If you’ve gone the qualitative route, you might discuss key themes and the meanings thereof. It all depends on what your research design choices were.

Most importantly, you need to discuss your results in relation to your research questions and aims, as well as the existing literature. What do the results tell you about your research questions? Are they aligned with the existing research or at odds? If so, why might this be? Dig deep into your findings and explain what the findings suggest, in plain English.

The final chapter – you’ve made it! Now that you’ve discussed your interpretation of the results, its time to bring it back to the beginning with the conclusion chapter . In other words, its time to (attempt to) answer your original research question s (from way back in chapter 1). Clearly state what your conclusions are in terms of your research questions. This might feel a bit repetitive, as you would have touched on this in the previous chapter, but its important to bring the discussion full circle and explicitly state your answer(s) to the research question(s).

Next, you’ll typically discuss the implications of your findings? In other words, you’ve answered your research questions – but what does this mean for the real world (or even for academia)? What should now be done differently, given the new insight you’ve generated?

Lastly, you should discuss the limitations of your research, as well as what this means for future research in the area. No study is perfect, especially not a Masters-level. Discuss the shortcomings of your research. Perhaps your methodology was limited, perhaps your sample size was small or not representative, etc, etc. Don’t be afraid to critique your work – the markers want to see that you can identify the limitations of your work. This is a strength, not a weakness. Be brutal!

This marks the end of your core chapters – woohoo! From here on out, it’s pretty smooth sailing.

The reference list is straightforward. It should contain a list of all resources cited in your dissertation, in the required format, e.g. APA , Harvard, etc.

It’s essential that you use reference management software for your dissertation. Do NOT try handle your referencing manually – its far too error prone. On a reference list of multiple pages, you’re going to make mistake. To this end, I suggest considering either Mendeley or Zotero. Both are free and provide a very straightforward interface to ensure that your referencing is 100% on point. I’ve included a simple how-to video for the Mendeley software (my personal favourite) below:

Some universities may ask you to include a bibliography, as opposed to a reference list. These two things are not the same . A bibliography is similar to a reference list, except that it also includes resources which informed your thinking but were not directly cited in your dissertation. So, double-check your brief and make sure you use the right one.

The very last piece of the puzzle is the appendix or set of appendices. This is where you’ll include any supporting data and evidence. Importantly, supporting is the keyword here.

Your appendices should provide additional “nice to know”, depth-adding information, which is not critical to the core analysis. Appendices should not be used as a way to cut down word count (see this post which covers how to reduce word count ). In other words, don’t place content that is critical to the core analysis here, just to save word count. You will not earn marks on any content in the appendices, so don’t try to play the system!

Time to recap…

And there you have it – the traditional dissertation structure and layout, from A-Z. To recap, the core structure for a dissertation or thesis is (typically) as follows:

• Acknowledgments page

Most importantly, the core chapters should reflect the research process (asking, investigating and answering your research question). Moreover, the research question(s) should form the golden thread throughout your dissertation structure. Everything should revolve around the research questions, and as you’ve seen, they should form both the start point (i.e. introduction chapter) and the endpoint (i.e. conclusion chapter).

I hope this post has provided you with clarity about the traditional dissertation/thesis structure and layout. If you have any questions or comments, please leave a comment below, or feel free to get in touch with us. Also, be sure to check out the rest of the  Grad Coach Blog .

Psst… there’s more (for free)

This post is part of our dissertation mini-course, which covers everything you need to get started with your dissertation, thesis or research project. 

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36 Comments

many thanks i found it very useful

Glad to hear that, Arun. Good luck writing your dissertation.

Such clear practical logical advice. I very much needed to read this to keep me focused in stead of fretting.. Perfect now ready to start my research!

what about scientific fields like computer or engineering thesis what is the difference in the structure? thank you very much

Thanks so much this helped me a lot!

Very helpful and accessible. What I like most is how practical the advice is along with helpful tools/ links.

Thanks Ade!

Thank you so much sir.. It was really helpful..

You’re welcome!

Hi! How many words maximum should contain the abstract?

Thank you so much 😊 Find this at the right moment

You’re most welcome. Good luck with your dissertation.

best ever benefit i got on right time thank you

Many times Clarity and vision of destination of dissertation is what makes the difference between good ,average and great researchers the same way a great automobile driver is fast with clarity of address and Clear weather conditions .

I guess Great researcher = great ideas + knowledge + great and fast data collection and modeling + great writing + high clarity on all these

You have given immense clarity from start to end.

Morning. Where will I write the definitions of what I’m referring to in my report?

Thank you so much Derek, I was almost lost! Thanks a tonnnn! Have a great day!

Thanks ! so concise and valuable

This was very helpful. Clear and concise. I know exactly what to do now.

Thank you for allowing me to go through briefly. I hope to find time to continue.

Really useful to me. Thanks a thousand times

Very interesting! It will definitely set me and many more for success. highly recommended.

Thank you soo much sir, for the opportunity to express my skills

Usefull, thanks a lot. Really clear

Very nice and easy to understand. Thank you .

That was incredibly useful. Thanks Grad Coach Crew!

My stress level just dropped at least 15 points after watching this. Just starting my thesis for my grad program and I feel a lot more capable now! Thanks for such a clear and helpful video, Emma and the GradCoach team!

Do we need to mention the number of words the dissertation contains in the main document?

It depends on your university’s requirements, so it would be best to check with them 🙂

Such a helpful post to help me get started with structuring my masters dissertation, thank you!

Great video; I appreciate that helpful information

It is so necessary or avital course

This blog is very informative for my research. Thank you

Doctoral students are required to fill out the National Research Council’s Survey of Earned Doctorates

wow this is an amazing gain in my life

This is so good

How can i arrange my specific objectives in my dissertation?

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A Four-Step Guide to Conducting Secondary Research For Your Dissertation

Secondary research is a useful strategy to obtain data and support your ideas when conducting research for your dissertation. It will always be challenging to write a large project like a dissertation all by yourself (professional essay service, 2019). In dissertation secondary research, a specific study subject or topic is investigated utilizing published data sources, such as books, journals, and internet databases. Although conducting secondary research may seem simple, it necessitates a systematic approach to guarantee that you locate and utilize the most relevant and trustworthy sources.

Table of Contents

What Secondary Research Is Used For?

One of the main purposes of secondary research is to thoroughly grasp the body of material that already exists on a certain topic. It frequently serves as a framework for the study and helps contextualize a research topic or hypothesis. Researchers can also find gaps in the literature and areas that need more inquiry by using secondary sources.

Another purpose of secondary research is, secondary research can provide useful insights into the research methodology and analytical techniques employed by other researchers, which can inform the design and implementation of the current study.

Types Of Secondary Research

Dissertation secondary research can be split into two major categories: qualitative and quantitative. While quantitative research is used to gather and analyze numerical data, qualitative research examines individuals’ or groups’ subjective experiences and viewpoints. Other sorts of secondary research fall under these broad categories, including:

literature review: A literature review critically evaluates the body of writing already written about a certain subject. It entails locating, analysing, and synthesizing the pertinent literature to present a thorough overview of the subject field.

Meta-analysis: A meta-analysis is a statistical procedure that combines the findings of several studies to produce a more accurate assessment of the magnitude of an intervention’s or variable’s impact.

Systematic review: Reviewing the literature on a certain topic systematically is a disciplined and organized process in PhD dissertation . It entails formulating an inclusion and exclusion criterion, creating a research topic, then looking up and synthesizing the pertinent literature.

Content analysis: It is a technique for examining written or visual content to spot themes, patterns, and trends.

Historical analysis: Historical analysis is the process of looking at old records or artifacts to understand historical occurrences or social phenomena.

Recognizing these types of overconfidence bias can help individuals become more self-aware and take steps to reduce their impact on decision-making.

Secondary Research Benefits

Compared to primary research methods, there are numerous advantages of secondary research. First off, you can easily find dissertation help in UK . Second, because secondary research includes analyzing existing data rather than gathering new data, it frequently takes less time and costs less money than primary research. Second, by using a variety of sources and disciplines, secondary research can provide a topic with a broader perspective. Thirdly, by conducting secondary research, scholars can steer clear of duplicating prior findings or committing the same errors. Finally, by highlighting areas that need additional research, secondary research can serve as a foundation for subsequent studies.

Difficulties With Secondary Research

Secondary research has several drawbacks despite its benefits. First off, because it depends on the veracity and validity of the material that is already available, secondary research is frequently prone to bias. Second, the calibre and amount of the available types of secondary data may be a constraint for secondary research.

For instance, it could be challenging to reach meaningful conclusions if there is little or obsolete literature on a given subject or not the required Types of secondary data. Finally, because it may require examining a sizable amount of complicated and varied material, secondary research might be difficult to synthesize.

Guide To Conducting A Secondary Research

Here is the secondary research process in 4 steps describes briefly.

Step 2: Select Pertinent Sources

You must choose pertinent dissertation secondary sources after defining your study question. You can conduct secondary research using a range of sources, such as books, journals, online databases, and government papers. Finding answers to open-ended issues as a way of learning and/or developing new knowledge is a part of the research, in addition to simply acquiring information (Goddard, Melville, 2001).

There are many different search techniques you can employ to find relevant dissertation secondary sources. Using keywords related to your research subject to search internet databases and library catalogs is a typical strategy. You can also search for books and articles that are mentioned in the materials you’ve already found.

Step 3: Consider The Sources

After you have found probable sources, you must assess them to see if they are pertinent, trustworthy, and reliable. You can assess sources using a variety of factors, such as the author’s qualifications, the source’s publication date, and its reputation.

It’s crucial to remember that not all sources are created equal while examining them during creating dissertation using only secondary data. Other sources could be out-of-date or irrelevant to your research issue, while some could be prejudiced or unreliable. A source’s context should also be taken into account because it may have an impact on its credibility and applicability.

Step 4: Review And Combine Sources

Analysis and synthesis of the sources you have chosen are the last steps in secondary research. This entails carefully reading each source and making notes on the most important conclusions, points, and supporting details.

You should search for trends and connections among your sources as you study them when you are creating dissertation using only secondary data. Additionally, you should evaluate how the sources you have chosen support or refute your research question and thesis.

You can start combining your sources into a coherent argument after you have evaluated them. This entails determining the key ideas and points that are supported by your sources and utilizing them to strengthen your own argument.

A crucial step in writing a dissertation is conducting secondary research. You can create a compelling argument for your position and prove your subject-matter expertise by using a methodical strategy to locate, assess, and analyze information. You can do efficient secondary research that will aid in the creation of your dissertation by establishing your research question, discovering pertinent sources, assessing these sources, and analyzing and synthesizing your findings.

What Does Dissertation Secondary Research Entail?

How does secondary research for a dissertation get done.

• Determine your research. This will assist you in locating the pertinent sources and information you require to respond to your research inquiry.
• Select pertinent sources. Academic journals, publications, official reports, statistical databases, and other publicly accessible sources may be among them.
• Assess the reliability and applicability of the sources. Look for reliable, current, and pertinent sources that address your research question.
• Examine and assess the information. Consider how important themes and trends are related to your research question after identifying them.
• Summarize the results. Think about how the results relate to the body of prior research on the subject.
• Clearly cite all of your sources. Ensure that you offer comprehensive and correct information for each source, and adhere to the citation style that is advised by your school.

Which Four Kinds Of Secondary Research Are There?

• Literature Review: In this sort of study, the current academic literature on a particular subject is reviewed
• Data Analysis: To address a research topic, data analysis entails examining already-existing quantitative data, such as statistical data, survey results, or market research data.
• Historical Research: To comprehend the historical background of a research subject, historical research entails examining current documents, archives, and other primary materials.
• Case Study Research: To shed light on a research subject, case study research involves examining past case studies and frequently in-depth investigations of a certain company or circumstance.

Which Of The Secondary Research Examples Is The Best?

Disclaimer: Kindly note that the work we provide is not the final version, it is research based work which you have to incorporate and edit according to your university requirements.

How To Do Secondary Research or a Literature Review

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Secondary research, also known as a literature review , preliminary research , historical research , background research , desk research , or library research , is research that analyzes or describes prior research. Rather than generating and analyzing new data, secondary research analyzes existing research results to establish the boundaries of knowledge on a topic, to identify trends or new practices, to test mathematical models or train machine learning systems, or to verify facts and figures. Secondary research is also used to justify the need for primary research as well as to justify and support other activities. For example, secondary research may be used to support a proposal to modernize a manufacturing plant, to justify the use of newly a developed treatment for cancer, to strengthen a business proposal, or to validate points made in a speech.

Why Is Secondary Research Important?

Because secondary research is used for so many purposes in so many settings, all professionals will be required to perform it at some point in their careers. For managers and entrepreneurs, regardless of the industry or profession, secondary research is a regular part of worklife, although parts of the research, such as finding the supporting documents, are often delegated to juniors in the organization. For all these reasons, it is essential to learn how to conduct secondary research, even if you are unlikely to ever conduct primary research.

Secondary research is also essential if your main goal is primary research. Research funding is obtained only by using secondary research to show the need for the primary research you want to conduct. In fact, primary research depends on secondary research to prove that it is indeed new and original research and not just a rehash or replication of somebody else’s work.

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A four-step guide to secondary research for dissertations

The first thing you must know about secondary research is that it is the easiest type. It is much simpler hence we have provided you a guide that is only 4 steps long. Secondary research does not involve the painstaking efforts of primary research. There is no finding participants, selecting and readying measures and spending months collecting data. But there are some basic factors that you need to be aware of when doing secondary research. And here, we are going to cover all of them. Step 1: Develop the research question This step is similar to any other type of research method. At an undergraduate level, a research question is most often provided to you by the supervisor. But this differs when doing a thesis at graduate level. Here you need to come up with a research question on your own. The first thing to do is specify the research area in which your dissertation will fall. Any relevant and interesting topic can be targeted for academic exploration. Once your topic has been identified, it is time to read. Go through existing literature about your chosen topic. This will help you discover any gaps that can be filled by your research. Then create a research question based on this study. Step 2: Identifying a secondary data set After your literature review and forming a research question, you can turn to secondary data collection. There is always some previous data that will fit in perfectly with your own perspective. And will help you answer your stated research question more easily and thoroughly. But how do you come across that useful data for your dissertation? This is done be reviewing the literature based on the topic of your research. This process will help you find other agencies, organizations and research centers that have explored the same area. Once you find the data you need, then you must contact the authors and ask for permission to use it. This process can change depending on external and internal research. The fore mentioned possibility works for external data collection. For internal research, there is no need to search other literature for secondary data set. You can reuse the same previous data that was collected within the organization. In both situations, you have to ultimately make sure that the data fits with your research question. Once that is established, you must state the reasons you chose to rely on secondary data. Step 3: Evaluation of secondary data set There are some disadvantages involved in secondary data collection process. They are as follows:  1. Secondary data might not be suitable for the purpose of your research.  2. It may have a different format from what you require.  3. Validity and reliability might be lacking.  4. Secondary data might not be able to respond to your research question.  5. The actual authors might have failed to provide important information in their research. Since these factors can hinder the efficiency of your research, you must evaluate secondary data. Here are some ways to do that. • The aim of the original study You first need to discover what the aim of the secondary data study is? The writer’s goal impact the overall research. It includes sampling, measurement tools and the context of research. At this point you also need to highlight the differences between your research and the study. It is most likely that they have another research question specified. Hence, it is important to know where your ideas diversify from theirs. • Think of who is behind collecting that data The next stage of evaluation is determining who the data has been collected by. Which institutions were the writers affiliated with? Were they professional enough for their research to be authentic? You can find this information by doing some online research. • The measures employed Legitimate researchers will have complete documents of measures, procedures, samples and protocols. You can obtain this information from their final report or contact them to request for it. This information is essential to make sure it is valid and reliable. • The time that data was collected In evaluation you also require knowing when the data collection took place. In case it happened a long time back, it is most probably outdated. Hence making it obsolete and unusable. And ideal time period is it should be collected within the past five years. • The methodology used for the data collection Knowing the dissertation methodology might be the most important aspect of evaluation. This helps you evaluate the way the sample was acquired. If the size of the sample was sufficient. Whether there were any measures or responses that should exist. Any of the drawback that are present in the original methodology help identify any limitation for your research. Step 4: Prepare and analyze The final step is to move on to preparing the secondary data set after the evaluation. In case of quantitative research outline every variable that will be used in your dissertation. Once that is identified, transfer this into a new Excel or SPSS file. Remember to just copy the whole thing. It is crucial to not make any alteration in it. The final step is analyzing the data. Decide on the analysis technique that is most useful for your data set. A statistical analysis is what you need at this final stage. This was our complete guide to secondary research for a successful dissertation. For further dissertation research help contact us for a quality writing service.

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Dissertation Secondary Research In 4 Steps Explained – Uniresearchers

Are you looking for a comprehensive guide on secondary research ? Well, yeah!! You have come to the right place to shed away all your worries. The topic of secondary and primary research appears to be challenging for the students that makes them anxious, nervous and worried at the same time. As a result, they end up getting poor scores and lower grades in academics. Please don’t be ashamed of it, because this is a very common problem faced by the students amidst their tiring long days jam-packed with classes, lectures, seminars, part-time jobs, etc. 

But let me tell you, secondary research is very simple than you have ever thought of. So here we have come to simplify the overall process of secondary research by completing it in just 4 steps. Want to know how? Here we go. 

Before getting into details, let us understand what exactly “ secondary research ” is. 

To be precise, secondary research refers to the collection of data from the existing research that has been conducted by others (Authors). In other words, secondary research indicates the “past data” that are usually collected from online or offline resources, government records, books, and journal articles pre-existing in the inventory. Secondary research goes exactly opposite to primary research where the main agenda is to conduct your research to collect raw and real-time data. The best part is, that secondary research saves a lot of time, effort and money in the process. To differentiate between the two, primary research is complicated enough which will consume a lot of time in finding the right participants who would provide the data findings to proceed with the research. 

Now, we shall go ahead with the process of secondary research in 4 simple steps. 

Step 1: You need to frame out your research questions 

Yes, correct!! Secondary research will begin with the framing of research questions right after you have settled on the topic of investigation. Now your job is to find the research gap in the literature that will create a strong base for framing the research questions. Once you are done with the research questions, you have almost created the correct roadmap for your research study. 

Step 2: Get the secondary data sets 

Majority of the research proceeds with identifying the secondary data sets in the literature, which are perfectly reusable and aid in addressing the research question more thoroughly. It is your duty to identify useful secondary data which will perfectly fit your research questions. 

Step 3: Simply evaluate the secondary dataset 

The criteria for evaluating the secondary dataset stand on the following metrics – 

• Who collected the data 
• What were the purpose and goal 
• When and how the data was collected 
• Type of data and its consistency with other data sources. 

All of these factors are essential for evaluating the secondary dataset because not always do the secondary data you have found appropriately align with the current research purpose. Moreover, the secondary datasets may lack the validity and reliability to answer your research questions.  Hence, needless to say, the collection of wrong secondary datasets can limit the effectiveness of your study. So never forget to evaluate the secondary datasets that you have planned to present in your research. 

Step 4: Prepare to analyze the secondary data 

In dissertation writing services , we follow this part religiously as it becomes the key part of the secondary research . Firstly, we outline the variables of interest and transfer this data into the Excel file or new SPSS. The next part would be addressing the missing data and recoding variables when necessary. For analyzing the data, we have to select the most suitable technique of analysis that can be through the use of statistical methods, thematic analysis, descriptive, etc. Make sure to be perfect on your part to avoid inconsistencies in the data analysis. 

If you find the facts are varying from one source to another, you must plan your primary research in the same context to get the facts correct using real-time raw data. 

Get your own checklist 

Hold on!! That’s not all!! With tremendous accessibility to the internet nowadays, the reliability and validity of secondary data have stooped down remarkably. So before utilizing external sources for secondary data, make a checklist to ensure the validity and accuracy of your secondary data. Be mindful, that failing to find the correct and valid data will lead you to inaccurate and poor analysis. 

So all you need to do is, be attentive and focused throughout the research study. 

Do you want our dissertation writing services? 

While we have reached almost the end of this article, let us give you some brief ideas about our dissertation writing services . With best-in-class experts in our kitty, we can offer you immense support and guidance in your primary and secondary research . Backed by a team of highly qualified professionals, we take pride in completing numerous dissertations so far. Apart from a perfectly crafted dissertation, we offer you multiple revisions at no cost. 

Our dissertation writing services come up with various other benefits in series. If you need any urgent assistance or support, our 24/7 support teams are always at your service. You must be thinking about how to place your order now. Well, it’s simpler than ever. Visit our website, fill out the order form with all the vital details, and make sure to specify the deadline to get an accurate response. Once your order is approved, we will assign you to the consultant who would lead your order. Trust me, your order for secondary research will be ready in a blink. Yes, it’s so much easy with us!! 

Now shed off your hesitation, and take a step ahead to place the order. Well, do not forget to check our client reviews and testimonials on our website for better clarity on our services. We ensure all the comfort and safety of our clients by maintaining absolute confidentiality. So hurry up and place your order right now to build a bright future.  

Secondary Research for your Dissertation

A dissertation or thesis research project requires a significant amount of research, with secondary research a necessity for any paper. The secondary research may be undertaken to create the theoretical foundation for the dissertation with the produce the literature review, and it may also be used as an alternative to primary research.

Defining Secondary Research

To examine the use of secondary researchit is first necessary to differentiate secondary from primary research. Primary research occurs where a researcher designs a research project and then collects the results directly from the original sources and can control the collection of the data. Secondary data is data that has already been collected by other researchers in previous research projects and is accessed through existing publications. Examples of secondary sources include;

• Publications such as journal articles and books
• Conferences papers/proceedings
• Television and radio broadcasts
• Past dissertations
• Official/government reports
• Company accounts or other internal organizational reports

The Uses of Secondary Research in a Dissertation

The first use of secondary research in a dissertation is to create the literature review. The literature review is based purely on secondary research, drawing together articles on topics relevant to the main topic. When undertaking secondary research, the review should include secondary research drawing on the empirical research that developed or established the theories that will be applied in the research. Good research will also include additional research reviewing and testing the theories to provide a balanced approach. Secondary research may also be undertaken at the principle research approach as an alternative primary research. When performed in place of primary research, the research methodology will be based on using data collected and published by others and reanalysing, reinterpreting, or reviewing the data.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Secondary Research

The use of secondary research can be advantageous as it is more cost-effective, the data may be more easily accessed, which reduce the time scale and budget needed for the research to be completed. However, secondary research also has some disadvantages. The data is unlikely to be a perfect match for the dissertation planned as the collection was undertaken by a different researcher who may have been answering a different research question, The data may also require reformatting and the detail of the data may be lacking, requiring the correlation of different data sets, or reformulation of the research question.

The Secondary Research Process

The research process using secondary sources may be divided into four stages.

• Formulate the research question. This will usually require a review of available literature to identify and narrow down an area of research which may be undertaken using secondary data.
• Identify the secondary data set that can be used to answer the research question.
• Assess the suitability of the available secondary data, including the degree to which it is aligned with the research question and the quality of the research process which generated the data. Identify alternate or more data if it is needed to increase the robustness of the study
• Prepare and then analyse the secondary data in line with the chosen analytical techniques with the aim of answering the research question

Notably, while secondary research may be used in place of primary research, there is also the potential to use it in conjunction with or as a supplement to primary research.

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2024 summer sessions instruction guidelines.

April 1, 2024

Dear Colleagues:

We are preparing for the University's 2024 Summer School Sessions (I & II). Please use the attached  Summer Faculty Appointment Form  to submit the requested information for each person assigned to teach courses offered by your department this summer. Include the identifying numbers of the course(s) each faculty member is scheduled to teach. The  Summer Faculty Appointment Form  is due to the Office of the Provost by  Friday, May 3, for Summer Session I and by Tuesday, June 21, for Summer Session II.   In the form, please indicate if the faculty member is an initial appointment, reappointment, or extended appointment using the following criteria: 

Initial Summer Appointments:   Faculty candidates assigned to teach summer school courses who have not held temporary (full-time or part-time), probationary tenure-track, career-status, or tenured faculty positions within the last 3 years.

Prior to teaching, initial summer faculty candidates must be 1) approved at the appropriate rank, by the respective department, school/college, and Office of the Provost and 2) on-boarded and hired by the Office of Human Resources.  Approval of the appointment (rank, title) for initial appointments will be managed within  Faculty Success .

Summer Reappointments : Faculty appointed as summer school faculty in summer 2023 who did not also hold a temporary (full-time or part-time), probationary, career-status, or tenured faculty position during AY2023-2024. Reappointed faculty must be approved at the respective department, school/college, and university levels. Please ensure that documentation of teaching effectiveness (i.e., summer session student evaluations, peer evaluations) are submitted as part of the application, which will be generated via  Faculty Success . 

Extended Summer Appointments : Faculty with current appointments in AY2023-2024 that expire May 17, 2024. You must complete an  appointment extension  in  Faculty Success  to generate an updated contract for the faculty member to teach summer sessions.

After you receive notification that the appointment has been approved, please direct each new faculty member to contact Office of Human Resources (OHR) prior to or during his/her first week of employment to certify Department of Homeland Security documentation.  The OHR office is located in the HU Service Center, 2244 Tenth Street, NW, Suite 422; email  [email protected] .

Transaction Processing :  All compensation transactions should be approved in time for the May31 payroll.   All compensation transactions for summer school will be entered by the Office of the Provost. 

If you need any assistance related to this process, please contact any of the following individuals:

• Britney Allen, Program Manager, Office of the Provost & Chief Academic Officer, [email protected]
• Department of HRIS, Office of Human Resources, [email protected]
• Office of the Payroll,  [email protected]
• Faculty Success Helpdesk , Office of the Provost, [email protected]

Summer Hiring Policies

• In accordance with 500-012 University Hiring Policy, all initial faculty candidates must be on-boarded and have approval to work from the Office of Human Resources prior to teaching or receiving a paycheck.  
• Reappointed faculty must sign new contracts through  Faculty Success  before they can begin teaching or receiving a paycheck.
• Individuals who violate these policies will be disciplined, up to and including possible termination of employment.

Please ensure that all faculty have been properly authorized to work and fully comply with all applicable University policies.  If you need assistance, please contact the Office of Human Resources (OHR) or any other persons listed above.  OHR will provide additional guidance to assist with processing these transactions.

Faculty Compensation

a. For probationary tenure-track and tenured faculty who are eligible to receive compensation for summer teaching at Howard, the formula for courses meeting the minimum enrollment threshold is:

1/39 x 9-month salary x  #  credit hours taught/session

b. Remuneration for faculty involved in the supervision of independent study, thesis/dissertation, etc., is 50% of the tuition amount paid by each student.  Faculty requests to offer more than 12 credit hours individualized instruction per session must be approved in writing by the Dean and Provost. (Please ensure that thesis and dissertation  research ,  as appropriate, are scheduled by all graduate departments.)

c. For part-time or adjunct faculty:

All Adjunct (part-time) faculty members will be paid a minimum of $1,800 per credit-hour.

The policies and procedures that govern the Summer Sessions are attached below.  Please distribute a copy to all faculty engaged in summer instruction.   If you have questions   concerning this information, kindly contact  Ms. Britney Allen  in the Office of he Provost as soon as possible [email protected] .

Thank you for adhering to the dates and processes identified in this letter.  Enjoy the remainder of the semester.

Anthony K. Wutoh, Ph.D., Provost and Chief Academic Officer

cc:  Charles Pugh, Director of Employee Relations & HR Services

POLICIES & PROCEDURES FOR HOWARD UNIVERSITY SUMMER SESSIONS

Faculty appointments.

Upon the recommendation of the Chair, Dean and the approval of the Provost, summer faculty appointments or extensions are made for faculty who held faculty appointments at Howard University in either the spring or fall term immediately before the summer term. Faculty candidates who have not held appointments in the prior 3 years must be processed as initial appointments. Temporary faculty candidates who taught in the summer prior must be processed as reappointments. Persons holding summer faculty appointments at another institution are not eligible for a simultaneous appointment to the summer faculty at Howard University.

Faculty members engaged in sponsored research during the summer and who wish to teach summer school must determine the apportionment of their effort on a case-by-case basis with their deans to avoid any potential conflict with the university's research policies and with federal regulations. Each 3- or 4-credit hour course represents 20 to 25 percent of an instructor's summer effort, but, depending on the particular circumstances, the percentage might be more or less. A faculty member may not charge 100 percent of his or her summer salary to a sponsored project and also teach a class for which the university provides compensation. Faculty members wishing to teach and conduct sponsored research must discuss the details with their deans.

ENROLLMENT THRESHOLD REQUIREMENTS

Minimum:      5                                              Maximum:     25

Course enrollment level is determined by the number of paid students who have completed registration by 5:00 p.m., on May 20, 2024, for Session I and by 5:00 p.m. on June 24, 2024, for

Session II. The minimum number of enrollees required to offer a class normally is five (5) students. Classes with fewer than 5 students will be cancelled unless extraordinary circumstances require their continuation. With the recommendation of the dean, exceptions to the minimum enrollment requirement may be considered in cases where the course is required for students who are prospective graduates for either the summer or fall terms, and if the course will not be offered in the fall. In such cases, a letter from the department chairperson, endorsed by the dean, justifying the continuation of the class, should be sent to the Office of the Provost.

The official cancellation process and the guidelines are as follows:

• The request to cancel a course must be initiated by the dean, chairperson or individual designated as responsible for the administration of the department's summer program. For this purpose, the standard course scheduling/cancellation form may be used, or the request may be transmitted on official stationery; the request form or memorandum must be approved by either the Department Chair or the Dean; requests from faculty members that are not countersigned by the Chair or Dean will not be accepted.
• Requests to cancel courses in which there are less than five paid students ( and for which special approval for continuation was not granted by the Provost) may be transmitted directly to the Office of the Registrar for processing and no additional justification is required.
• However, if the course either has at least five paid students or is one for which the Provost had granted an exception for continuation, the cancellation request must be approved by the Provost. For these courses, the Dean or Chairperson must provide a detailed justification for the cancellation.
• Approval to cancel courses for which there are at least five paid students will NOT be granted unless the Dean confirms that arrangements have been made for each validated student (a) to be placed in other sections of the same course, (b) to be placed in an alternate course acceptable to the student or (c) for the course to be offered on an individual instruction basis to any validated enrollee who desires to complete the course.
• Also, approval will not be granted by the Provost for the cancellation of independent study, thesis/dissertation, or research courses in which at least one student is enrolled and paid, except with special justification by the Chair/Dean.
• ALL requests for the cancellation of Summer Session courses in which validated students are enrolled MUST be received by either Office of the Registrar or the Provost, as appropriate, no later than the fourth-class day of the session.

OFFICIAL CLASS ROSTERS AND GRADE SHEETS

The names of enrolled students will appear on the class rosters which are updated daily throughout the registration period. Following the close of late registration and change of program period, the final official list will be provided. This class list will reflect all eligible students who are enrolled and financially validated for summer session. Faculty members may view their official class rosters on-line at any time during the enrollment period.

Payroll preparation and related matters are based on the official class rosters and course enrollment levels. Therefore, it is important to remind students that their registration is not complete until all tuition and fee charges have been paid IN FULL. Any student who maintains he/she has completed registration, and paid the required fees, but whose name does not appear on the class roster should be advised to report immediately to the Academic Recording service window, 1st Floor Administration Building, to obtain documentation of official registration. Only those students who have paid the required tuition and whose names appear on the official class rosters are authorized to remain in classes and receive instruction.

Faculty are not authorized to accept assignments from a student whose name does not appear on the official class roster or permitted to allow the student to remain in class. Refer any such student to the office of the registrar immediately!!

IMPORTANT SUMMER SCHOOL DATES

SUMMER SCHOOL 2024

Summer Session I:  May 20 – June 23                                Summer Session II:  June 24 – July 27

Summer Session I

Registration                                                                            May 16 – 20, 2024

Classes Begin                                                                         May 20, 2024

Change of Program Period                                                     May 16 - 20, 2024

Last Day to Withdraw from a Course                                    June 3, 2024

Formal Classes End                                                               June 18, 2024

Last Day to Complete a Total Withdrawal                             June 7, 2024

(For Summer Session I)

First Five-Week Summer Session Ends                                 June 23, 2024

Summer Session II

Registration                                                                            June 20 – 24, 2024

Classes Begin                                                                         June 24, 2024

Change of Program Period                                                     June 20 – 24, 2024

Last Day to Withdraw from a Course                                    July 12, 2024

Formal Classes End                                                               July 24, 2024

Last Day to Complete a Total Withdrawal                             July 12, 2024

(For Summer Session II)

Second Five-Week Summer Session Ends                            July 27, 2024

CLASSROOM ASSSIGNMENTS

Faculty are not authorized to relocate a class to a classroom location other than that assigned by the Office of the Registrar. It is very important that faculty contact the Office of the Registrar prior to relocating a class from the assigned classroom. All classrooms change request forms must be submitted to Office of the Registrar prior to the beginning of classes each session.

Persons who were not employed by the University during the academic year (2023– 2024) are required to complete the appropriate tax forms during the first week of employment. Tax forms may be completed by logging into the Workday application http://www.workday.howard.edu or through the Department of Payroll, which is located at the HU Service Center, 2244 Tenth Street, NW, and Third Floor.

FACULTY SALARY

Faculty members will not be allowed to teach more than 6 credit hours per Summer Session totaling no more than 12 credit hours for both Summer Sessions without the written approval of the Department Chair and Dean.   Howard University salaries for full-time faculty for the summer are determined by computing the individual's 9-month salary and the number of credits taught per summer session (Formula: 1/39 x 9-month salary x the number of credit hours taught per session) if it does not exceed the threshold (IBS divided 1/3rd and result to be restricted to 80%).

For those courses traditionally offered as "individualized instruction" (i.e., thesis, dissertation, research), faculty will be paid 50% of the tuition.

All Adjunct (part-time) faculty members will be paid a minimum of $1,650 per credit-hour.

Payments will be distributed according to the schedule below:

Session I                                             Session II

            31 June 2024                                        12 July 2024

         14 June 2024                                        26 July 2024

          28 June 2024*                                     9 August 2024*

*Deposits will be issued only on these dates and final deposits will be issued ONLY to those faculty who have submitted all completed "Grade Sheets" to the Office of the Dean of their respective college/school, within 3 business days following the last day of each summer session. (Summer Session I ends June 23; Summer Session II ends July 27.)

SUMMER FACULTY APPOINTMENT FORMS

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Researcher sees ‘alarming’ risk of political violence in US

A crowd amasses in front of the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021. (Credit: CC image via Wikemedia Commons )  

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Editor’s note: This article contains content around violence and racism that may be upsetting for some readers.

Regina Bateson first traveled to Guatemala in 2005 as a young foreign service officer working in the U.S Embassy in Guatemala City. At the time, the Latin American nation was less than a decade out from the peace accords that had ended its brutal civil war.

According to estimates, nearly 200,000 people died or vanished in the war between 1960 and 1996—most were Indigenous Maya, and most had been killed at the hands of the government or its agents. But, in some ways, Guatemala after the turn of the millennium was not much safer. By 2011, the homicide rate in Guatemala City had reached 104.5 deaths per 100,000 people, more than eight times the homicide rate in Denver in 2022.

Regina Bateson. (Credit: Patrick Campbell/CU Boulder)

A market in Joyabaj, Guatemala, circa 2006. (Credit: CC photo via Wikimedia Commons )

Amid all that violence, Bateson, now an assistant professor of political science at CU Boulder, discovered a contradiction that shaped the rest of her life. She had assumed that the most deadly regions of Guatemala would also be the areas that had been the most wracked by war. But that wasn’t the case. 

To the budding researcher, there seemed to be no rhyme or reason to the patterns of violence in her new home.

“That was puzzling to me. I talked to a lot of people about it when I was there, and nobody had a solid explanation for why that was,” she said. “That was what motivated me to go to graduate school.”

Today, Bateson studies vigilantism and other forms of political violence. Her time in Guatemala and elsewhere has taught her lessons about the ways that these acts can emerge around the globe. Vigilantism, she said, is almost always carried out by a group in power targeting people who have much less power, in many cases motivated by racism or xenophobia. She added that many of the warning signs for violence have reared up across the United States, including the spread of armed and organized militias.  

When she returned to Guatemala for her dissertation research, for example, Bateson encountered an organization known as the Guardianes del Vecindario in Joyabaj—a small town in the department of El Quiché, where the government had perpetrated acts of genocide. The group, or la patrulla (“the patrol”) as locals called it, echoed the civil patrols that roamed the region during the civil war. The group’s several hundred members walked the streets at night, wearing black ski masks, stopping passersby and searching cars. In some cases, patrollers detained, beat and even tortured people they suspected of crimes.

“People are afraid to do anything bad now that the patrol is here,” one Joyabaj resident told Bateson at the time.

Closer to home, there’s still a lot that concerned people in the United States can do to resist an escalation in violence, Bateson said. In 2018, she ran as a Democrat in the primary to represent California’s 4th Congressional District, ultimately coming in third. 

“The court system matters. The judiciary matters,” she said. “Our institutions provide a check on violent and authoritarian behavior that doesn't exist in many other places.” 

Fuzzy lines

When talking about vigilantism, Bateson often points to the case of David Chen, owner of Lucky Moose Food Mart in Toronto.

In 2009, Chen and a few of his staff members chased down a man they believed had stolen plants from their market, tying him up and tossing him into a van. Police arrested both the vigilantes and the alleged thief. But in the years that followed, politicians including then Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper showed up at the market to take photos with Chen. Eventually, the government passed a bill to expand the scope of citizens arrests in Canada, and Chen was cleared of all charges.

Bateson defines cases of vigilantism like this as “the extralegal prevention, investigation or punishment of offenses.” 

Preventing political violence

Bateson says that concerned citizens in the United States can do a lot to strengthen democracy and prevent violence. Here are three ways you can help:

Support institutions

Many institutions in the United States, including the judiciary, provide important checks against political violence and vigilantism. Bateson urges people to support politicians and policies that seek to shore up these important bulwarks for democracy.

Support an independent media

Journalists play an important role in holding people in power accountable, Bateson said. Media reporting can even deter vigilantism and other forms of political violence. 

Get involved and vote

People in the United States have the power to elevate elected officials and push their political parties toward adopting pro-democracy and pro-rule of law agendas.

Culturally, the word “vigilante” may conjure up images of Batman or Charles Bronson, star of the 1974 film “Death Wish”—lone wolves taking the law into their own hands. But, as Chen’s case shows, vigilantism is an inherently political act, Bateson said, and the lines between vigilantes and official state institutions can become “fuzzy.”

“Vigilantism threatens human rights and the rule of law,” Bateson said. “Vigilantism is also a way for people, usually those with more power in society, to shape public debate.”

She added that vigilantes around the world tend to draw on the same language and themes to justify their actions—whether that’s in countries with high violent crime rates, or in much safer places like Canada or Scandinavia. Often, vigilantes act on fears that may be unfounded or are deeply rooted in racism and xenophobia.

“They say, ‘We have to step in, and we have no choice because the state is either absent or not being aggressive enough,’” Bateson said. “But the people targeted by vigilantes may have done absolutely nothing wrong and are just perceived as a threat because of their identity.”

Alarming trends

The United States has not been immune to such deadly vigilante violence, including horrific acts by lynch mobs. The NAACP estimates that between 1882 and 1968, 4,743 people were lynched in the United States , more than 70% of whom were Black. This year, six former law enforcement officers from Mississippi were sentenced for a 2023 incident in which they broke into a home and tortured two Black men. 

Bateson has seen “alarming” signs that the United States may be teetering on the brink of political violence today as extremist groups around the country become more organized. 

In recent years, she said, far-right organizations, including some of those responsible for the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, have created robust social networks across the country. Even as some group members have faced prosecution, the Southern Poverty Law Center has found that militias have continued organizing online and underground. Armed militias are patrolling stretches of the southern border with Mexico, seeking to stop and detain migrants crossing north.

“Vigilantism is hard on a logistical level,” she said. “It's hard to carry out, but there's a lot of infrastructure in place to support it in the U.S. right now.”

Bateson also points to the rise in politicians using what she calls “dehumanizing” language. 

“The fact that political rhetoric is singling out particular groups as ‘poisoning the blood of the country’ has really caught the attention of people who study political violence,” Bateson said. “Dehumanizing language like that is such a red flag. Throughout history, it has preceded significant violence targeting vulnerable groups.”

But there’s still time to reverse this trend. In the United States, the rule of law and political institutions, while under pressure, remain strong compared with many other parts of the world.

“Being pro-democracy and pro-rule of law is not an exclusively Democratic, Republican, Green or Libertarian agenda. It’s not a partisan position,” Bateson said. “Being active in your political party and promoting candidates whose values align with what you want to see for the country’s future is so important.”

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Just make sure you prioritise the research that backs up your overall point so each section has clarity. Then it's time to write your introduction. In your intro, you will want to emphasise what your dissertation aims to cover within your writing and outline your research objectives. You can then follow up with the context around this ...

Secondary research is a research method that uses data that was collected by someone else. In other words, whenever you conduct research using data that already exists, you are conducting secondary research. On the other hand, any type of research that you undertake yourself is called primary research. Example: Secondary research.

Secondary Research. Secondary research or desk-based research is the second type of research you could base your research methodology in a dissertation on. This type of research reviews and analyses existing research studies to improve the overall authenticity of the research.

In a secondary research dissertation, you do not collect your own data. Instead, you use data that has been collected by another researcher. You take that data and do your own analysis of it.. Someone else has collected the data, but you do the analysis of it. For example, you might be interested in exploring differences in beliefs and values around diversity in different European countries ...

ment, purpose, and research questions; − states up front the bodies of literature that will be covered, and why; − reviews primary sources that are mostly recent empirical studies from scholarly journals and publications, as well as secondary sources; − is logically organized by theme or sub-topic, from broad to narrow;

In a nutshell, secondary research is far more simple. So simple, in fact, that we have been able to explain how to do it completely in just 4 steps (see below). If nothing else, secondary research avoids the all-so-tiring efforts usually involved with primary research.

Secondary research enables you to explore a vast array of sources, including academic journals, books, reports, and databases. This wide range of materials allows for a comprehensive and diverse exploration of your research topic. Secondary research allows you to validate and verify your own findings and arguments.

A dissertation or thesis is a long piece of academic writing based on original research, submitted as part of an undergraduate or postgraduate degree. ... building an argument by analysing primary and secondary sources. Instead of the standard structure outlined here, you might organise your chapters around different themes or case studies ...

The aim of secondary research is to produce a more or less systematic appraisal and/or synthesis of the existing primary research on a topic. ... review can offer more generalisability and consistency of research findings than the individual studies on which it is based. Systematic reviews may employ quantitative, qualitative (experiential), or ...

Secondary research which goes beyond literature reviews. For some dissertations/major projects there might only be a literature review (discussed above).For others there could be a literature review followed by primary research and for others the literature review might be followed by further secondary research.. You may be asked to write a literature review which will form a background ...

Secondary research, also known as desk research, involves compiling existing data sourced from a variety of channels. ... Educational institutions, such as schools and colleges, create a lot of research-based reports on younger audiences or their academic specialisms. Dissertations from students also can be submitted to research journals ...

Virtually all research will use secondary sources, at least as background information. Often, especially at the postgraduate level, it will also use primary sources - secondary and/or primary data. ... Resources providing guidance on doing dissertation research during the pandemic: Online research methods; Secondary data sources; Webinars ...

Revised on 10 October 2022. Your research methodology discusses and explains the data collection and analysis methods you used in your research. A key part of your thesis, dissertation, or research paper, the methodology chapter explains what you did and how you did it, allowing readers to evaluate the reliability and validity of your research.

Secondary data sources available to researchers include academic journals, government papers, industry publications, and online databases. These sources offer enormous knowledge, allowing for insights into previous patterns, longitudinal research, and comparisons of different datasets. However, care must be taken to ensure data reliability and ...

Time to recap…. And there you have it - the traditional dissertation structure and layout, from A-Z. To recap, the core structure for a dissertation or thesis is (typically) as follows: Title page. Acknowledgments page. Abstract (or executive summary) Table of contents, list of figures and tables.

Here is the secondary research process in 4 steps describes briefly. Step 2: Select Pertinent Sources. You must choose pertinent dissertation secondary sources after defining your study question. You can conduct secondary research using a range of sources, such as books, journals, online databases, and government papers.

Secondary research is also used to justify the need for primary research as well as to justify and support other activities. For example, secondary research may be used to support a proposal to modernize a manufacturing plant, to justify the use of newly a developed treatment for cancer, to strengthen a business proposal, or to validate points ...

Any of the drawback that are present in the original methodology help identify any limitation for your research. Step 4: Prepare and analyze. The final step is to move on to preparing the secondary data set after the evaluation. In case of quantitative research outline every variable that will be used in your dissertation.

To be precise, secondary research refers to the collection of data from the existing research that has been conducted by others (Authors). In other words, secondary research indicates the "past data" that are usually collected from online or offline resources, government records, books, and journal articles pre-existing in the inventory.

Scholars have also promoted the practice of sharing data for the purpose of SDA, asserting that it may answer new research questions, as well as increase sample sizes and statistical power (Perrino et al., 2013).Sharing data also allows for the generation of new knowledge without the costs of administration and implementation of additional data collection and maximizes the output of large ...

Dissertation examples. Listed below are some of the best examples of research projects and dissertations from undergraduate and taught postgraduate students at the University of Leeds We have not been able to gather examples from all schools. The module requirements for research projects may have changed since these examples were written.

The first use of secondary research in a dissertation is to create the literature review. The literature review is based purely on secondary research, drawing together articles on topics relevant to the main topic. When undertaking secondary research, the review should include secondary research drawing on the empirical research that developed ...

Wastewater-based surveillance (WBS), also known as wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE), has become a valuable tool for monitoring the spread of COVID-19 and other viral infectious diseases. While WBS has been widely adopted in recent years, there is still limited understanding of how viral genetic markers (RNA/DNA) behave in wastewater and primary sludge samples. The research described in this ...

For those courses traditionally offered as "individualized instruction" (i.e., thesis, dissertation, research), faculty will be paid 50% of the tuition. All Adjunct (part-time) faculty members will be paid a minimum of $1,650 per credit-hour. Payments will be distributed according to the schedule below:

Her research has revealed how vigilantism and other forms of political violence can emerge and spread around the world—including, perhaps, at home in the United States. ... When she returned to Guatemala for her dissertation research, for example, Bateson encountered an organization known as the Guardianes del Vecindario in Joyabaj—a small ...

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