Secondary data collection refers to data collected after the fact. Which option best describes this timing?

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Secondary data collection uses information that has already been gathered for another purpose, so it happens after the events have occurred. This retrospective approach relies on existing records, databases, or previously completed surveys rather than collecting new data as the study unfolds. For example, analyzing patients' past medical records to study outcomes uses secondary data. The other timings describe data gathered before or during the events, or in real time, which would involve collecting fresh data for the current study. Therefore, data collected after the fact best matches secondary data collection.