*While we're navigating access to different federal data sources, check out this research guide from the University of New Mexico for different sources*
Secondary data is data that a researcher has not collected or created themselves. Secondary data can encompass an enormous range of highly original and extensive studies, including some of the largest and most careful collections of data.
Secondary data are usually easily accessible to researchers and individuals because they are mostly shared publicly. This, however, means that the data are usually general and not tailored specifically to meet the researcher's needs as primary data does.
This guide is a very quick introduction to locating secondary data sources.