Before you commit time, money, or energy to new work, it often makes sense to first understand what’s already out there. Reviewing existing evidence can help clarify whether a question has already been answered, what the limitations of current understanding are, and where real gaps or opportunities lie.
Secondary research brings existing evidence together in a clear, decision-ready way. Whether you need a quick picture of what’s known, a careful review of what works, or a map of gaps and trends, we work with you to shape and deliver secondary research that’s fit for purpose.
Secondary research can often yield quicker turn around times, and have lower demands with respect to ethical considerations and participant protection (as they don’t involve collecting new data from people)
When should I consider secondary research?
Secondary research lets you tailor an evidence review to suit your needs, for example:
- Get a clear view of what’s already known (and what isn’t)
- Set a tight scope (topic, dates, settings, countries, populations)
- Decide what types of evidence to include (academic studies, policy, grey literature, internal reports)
- Use transparent search methods (so the process can be repeated or updated later)
- Judge evidence quality (strengths, limits, risk of bias, relevance)
- Compare findings across sources (where they agree, where they don’t)
- Translate evidence into practical outputs (key messages, options, recommendations, next steps)
- Save time and cost by using what’s already available before commissioning new data collection
- Create a baseline you can refresh (annual updates, horizon scanning, tracking change over time)
What is secondary research most useful for?
Secondary research is well suited to scenarios such as:
- You need a fast, reliable overview to support a decision or proposal
- You’re planning a service, policy, programme, or training and want it grounded in evidence
- Existing internal data exists, but you need it interpreted alongside external evidence
- You want to check what “good” looks like (benchmarks, standards, best practice)
- There’s lots of information, but it’s inconsistent, dated, or hard to trust without appraisal
- You need to identify gaps before moving to primary research
- You want to test whether an idea is plausible before investing time or funding
- You need a clear evidence base for stakeholders, boards, funders, or regulators
Secondary Research Options
Secondary research can take a few different shapes, depending on what you need. Some projects start with a quick scan of what’s out there to give a fast picture of the current landscape. Others go deeper, using a clear search and screening process to pull together the most relevant evidence and assess how trustworthy it is. You can also focus on specific questions (like “what works?” or “what do people recommend?”), compare approaches across sectors or locations, or produce a simple evidence briefing that turns key findings into clear options and next steps.
Some examples of how secondary research projects can vary in terms of scale and shape are outlined below.
Scoping Review
Ideal when you’re at the early stages of an idea. This option gives a fast, clear picture of what is already known about your topic. We provide a concise, accessible summary that outlines key sources, themes, and gaps—helpful for briefing teams, informing planning meetings, or preparing for funding bids.
Example: A charity exploring a new family support programme used a scoping review to understand what models had been used in similar contexts and what evidence existed for their success.
Detailed Review
A more in-depth investigation, suitable when you need a stronger foundation. We gather and examine relevant sources more thoroughly, helping identify patterns, inconsistencies, and underexplored areas. The final report includes a summary, structured findings, and recommendations for action or further research.
Example: A local authority planning a review of early years services used this format to better understand what had worked elsewhere, and what evidence supported those approaches.
Systematic Review
Designed for situations where rigor and comprehensiveness are key. We apply transparent, methodical processes to search, assess, and synthesise evidence from academic and grey literature. This option is best suited to those needing a formal evidence base for publication, policy, or strategic investment.
Example: A national public health organisation commissioned a systematic review to assess the long-term impact of multidisciplinary pain management programmes, using the findings to inform national guidance.
What we can offer
Our secondary research services offer our partners a number of strengths and opportunities, including:
- A tailored approach that meets your timeline, audience, and format needs
- Clarity about the strength and relevance of existing evidence
- Practical summaries that are easy to share with teams or stakeholders
- Support at every stage, from question framing to reporting
To discuss further how we can meet your evidence gathering and analysis needs please get in touch via the contact box below
