Part II Collecting and analysing data Chapter 6: Finding secondary data KEY QUESTIONS • What is secondary data? • How does secondary data fit into the OPERA framework? • Where can secondary data be found? • What are some of the factors to consider when using secondary data? INTRODUCTION As discussed in Chapter 5, data is used to “populate” indicators. In other words, it helps answer the questions that are posed by indicators. In today’s “information age”, the amount of secondary data, or “second hand” data, that is readily available is increasing exponentially. Secondary data is collected either: • By someone else (e.g. researchers, government agencies, NGOs) • By your NHRI, but for some other purpose originally (e.g. demographic data recorded about complainants might be reused to analyse trends) • A combination of the two. As the breadth of available data grows and the cost of accessing it shrinks, it is increasingly possible to curate, rather than create, the data needed to analyse human rights indicators. Recycling what already exists avoids unnecessary duplication and can save a significant amount of time and resources. For this reason, drawing on secondary data in your monitoring activity can be very strategic. This chapter introduces the different types of secondary data and explains how they can be used within the OPERA framework. It also discusses where to find and how to evaluate secondary data. 6.1. WHAT TYPES OF SECONDARY DATA CAN WE USE? OHCHR identifies four broad categories of “data-generating mechanisms”. These are: events-based data; socio-economic and administrative statistics; perception and opinion surveys; and expert judgements. 6.1.1. Events-based data Events-based data is qualitative or quantitative data that documents events characterized by the occurrence of human rights violations. Information describing acts of human rights violations and identifying victims and perpetrators is recorded in a standardized format. This kind of data can be compiled and consolidated using common definitions and classifications. NHRIs that have a complaints handling mandate will often maintain a database that includes this type of information. Other sources might include information provided by the media and reports of States, civil society organizations and international human rights monitoring mechanisms, such as the special procedures mandate holders. Chapter 6: Finding secondary data | 59