Which statement best describes primary data in EIA?

• A. Existing government records
• B. Literature reviews
• C. Public interviews with stakeholders
• D. New field measurements collected during data gathering

Answer: (D)

Primary data are information you collect directly for the current study rather than pulling from existing sources. In an environmental impact assessment, this means performing new field measurements during data gathering to characterize the environment and potential impacts. These measurements are original data produced specifically for the project. By contrast, existing government records and literature reviews are secondary data because they were collected for other purposes and are used as background information. Public interviews with stakeholders can provide firsthand information as part of the study, but the cleanest example of primary data is the new field measurements you gather during data collection.