How do you keep track of the latest secondary data trends and updates?

Keep track of the latest secondary data trends and updates by subscribing to industry newsletters, following reputable research organizations and publications on social media, and regularly monitoring relevant online forums and discussion groups. Set up alerts for keywords related to your area of interest using search engines and content aggregation tools. Attend conferences, webinars, and seminars to stay informed about emerging trends and best practices in secondary data analysis.

Accessing secondary data is much faster, cheaper, and still may yield reliable results for research and analysis. If one's methodology to analyze secondary data is sound, it can help uncover significant patterns of activity or thematic importance related to your research, and provide good lessons learned to inform primary research down the road. That being said, it is important to validate the findings or perspectives of secondary data very thoroughly, and often through comparative analysis when possible. In a time of increasing polarization and misinformation, secondary data must be more heavily scrutinized, even if it is produced by reputable sources.

When using secondary data, always get to the original data source. This can be challenging because people are often lazy about citations (i.e., they'll cite an article that cites an article that cites an article that cites a research study--don't be that person!). It's like a game of telephone, and this is one way data gets misrepresented. Plus, it can contribute to outdated data circulating for years. Aim to have a clear understanding of the methodology used to capture the data in order to assess whether it is sound, how it could be biased, what may have been left out, etc. If you don't feel confident you could answer questions about where the data came from/how it was produced, think twice before using it in your work.

As a public policy and political analyst, my research strategies for secondary data may differ. But I have to remember there are known unknowns: I can't learn everything, even if I can capture it all with algorithms. They include: 1) Running regular search engine searches using an inductively developed set of keywords in a specific timeframe. 2) Maintaining automatic alerts for news media of topics relevant to me to learn about key issues. 3) Speaking with key knowledge users, subject matter experts, and members of the public about my research topics to understand their lens of interest or focus. 4) Developing regular comparative analysis of "reliable" secondary datasets against one another.

Staying updated requires ongoing effort and dedication. Some strategies to stay informed: 1. Online Resources and Blogs: Follow reputable data analysis blogs, websites, and online forums. Subscribe to newsletters, or email lists that provide updates on industry news, emerging technologies, and best practices. 2. Professional Networks: Engage with professional communities and join relevant data analysis groups on platforms like LinkedIn, Reddit, or Slack. 3. Follow Thought Leaders and Influencers: Identify influential figures and follow them on social media platforms like Twitter or LinkedIn. Their posts, articles, and insights can help you stay informed about emerging trends and thought-provoking ideas.