Which of the following is NOT a primary research method?

• A. Client interview
• B. Focus groups
• C. Surveys
• D. Library research

Answer: (D)

Primary research is about gathering new information directly from people or sources for your specific project. Methods like interviewing a client, running focus groups, and giving out surveys all involve collecting fresh data that hasn’t been published before. They help you capture real, current opinions, needs, or behaviors specific to your design brief.

Library research uses information that already exists in books, articles, databases, and other published sources. You’re analyzing and synthesizing what’s already out there rather than creating new data. That’s why it’s considered secondary research, not primary.

So the item that isn’t a primary research method is library research. You can still use it to provide context and background, but it doesn’t involve gathering new data from original sources.