Determine if each description is a primary or secondary source:

Question

1. Tommy Hilfiger sends out a survey to past purchasers of it's clothing.
2. Gucci conducts a focus group interview regarding customer attitudes towards its new minimizer handbag.
3. An aspiring entrepreneur studies the U.S. Census to obtain information on single heads of households in Phoenix, Arizona.
4. To measure the the results of a promotional tie-in, Burger King examines the number of used ticket stubs turned in from the local hockey team.
5. When forecasting this years summer sales, a heating and air conditioning firm reviews their last years sales for the months of June and August.
6. A company uses its own existing database to send out a preferred customer sale announcement.
7. A local mall conducts personal interviews with customers on Saturday morning.
8. When developing new toys, a toy manufacturer creates a room for observing children playing with toys.
9. To determine customer satisfaction, Macy's places a self-addressed survey card with all customer purchases.
10. Macy's uses the research form a New York Times article to track retail sales data for apparel, jewelry, and furniture.
11. A local Pike Nurseries store owner purchases demographic data regarding population, housing, education, and income from DATA Marketing Systems, a business information company.
12. McDonald's gives out a free breakfast sandwich for each customer questionnaire that is returend by March 31.

Answer 1

Here's the classification of each description as a primary or secondary source:

1. Primary Source - The survey sent out by Tommy Hilfiger is a direct collection of original data from past purchasers about their experiences or opinions.

2. Primary Source - The focus group interview conducted by Gucci involves gathering firsthand opinions and attitudes from customers regarding the new product.

3. Secondary Source - The entrepreneur studying the U.S. Census is using previously collected data (census data) rather than generating new data themselves.

4. Primary Source - Burger King examining used ticket stubs is collecting original, direct data related to the outcome of their promotional tie-in.

5. Primary Source - The heating and air conditioning firm reviewing their own past sales data is using their original records to forecast future sales.

6. Primary Source - The company using its own existing database to send out a sale announcement is utilizing their own original data.

7. Primary Source - The local mall conducting personal interviews with customers is collecting original data through direct interactions.

8. Primary Source - The toy manufacturer observing children to gather insights on toy play is collecting original observational data.

9. Primary Source - The self-addressed survey card placed by Macy's is a direct method of collecting customer satisfaction feedback.

10. Secondary Source - Macy's using research from a New York Times article is relying on analysis and information that has been compiled by someone else.

11. Secondary Source - The local Pike Nurseries store owner purchasing demographic data is obtaining pre-collected information rather than gathering it themselves.

12. Primary Source - McDonald's giving out a free breakfast sandwich in exchange for questionnaire responses creates original data collection through customer feedback.

In summary, most of the items describe primary sources as they involve direct data collection or original insights, while a few – specifically those that involve using existing data or research from others – are classified as secondary sources.