What is the term for data that has already been collected for other purposes?

The term for data that has already been collected for other purposes is secondary data. This type of data is typically gathered from previous research, studies, or reports and is used for a new analysis or investigation. Secondary data is advantageous because it can save time and resources, as it avoids the need for new data collection. Common sources of secondary data include government publications, academic journals, and databases.

In contrast, primary data refers to information that is gathered firsthand for a specific research purpose, while original data would typically imply newly created or first-time collected information. Research data is a more general term that does not specifically distinguish between data collected for the first time or previously gathered data. Therefore, the accurate term to describe data collected for other purposes is secondary data.