A Reflexive Account of Reusing Qualitative Data: Beyond Primary/Secondary Dualism

Though secondary analysis of qualitative data is becoming more prevalent,relatively few methodological studies exist that provide reflection on theactual, not idealised, process. This paper offers a reflexive account ofsecondary analysis focused on the topic of convenience food and choice. Severalphases of the research process are examined: understanding context, defining asubject area, finding data and sampling, later sampling and topic refinement,and relating to transcripts. For each phase, I explore if reusing data isdifferent from using it in the first instance, and if so, how those differencesmanifest themselves. The paper closes with reflections on the differences,similarities, and relationships between primary and secondary analysis ofqualitative data. Although differences exist regarding the researcher-respondentrelationship, primary and secondary analyses are more alike than not. Thesuitability of each approach can only be assessed in light of a particularresearch question.