What is defined as information that has already been collected for another purpose?

The correct answer is secondary data, which refers to information that has already been collected for a different purpose than the one being considered. This type of data is often used in research and analysis because it can save time and resources. Examples of secondary data include reports, articles, and previously conducted surveys.

In contrast, primary data is collected firsthand for a specific research purpose. Qualitative data is focused on descriptive data that can offer insights but may not be statistically analyzed, and quantitative data deals with numerical information that can be measured and analyzed statistically. These distinctions are important as they determine the nature and application of the data in various research contexts.