Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 25/02/2026
Subject: Business Studies
Lesson Topic: advantages and disadvantages of secondary market research methods
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe what secondary market research is and identify common sources of secondary data.
  • Explain at least five advantages of using secondary research in business.
  • Evaluate the limitations and disadvantages of secondary research and how they affect decision‑making.
  • Compare situations where secondary research is appropriate versus when primary research is needed.
  • Apply a simple evaluation checklist to assess the relevance and reliability of a secondary data source.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector or interactive whiteboard
  • Printed handouts of the advantages/disadvantages table
  • Sample secondary data excerpts (e.g., newspaper article, online report)
  • Worksheet with evaluation checklist
  • Markers and flip chart for group brainstorming
 Introduction:
Begin with a quick poll: “Where do you get information for a school project?” Link responses to real‑world business data sources. Review that businesses often use existing data before collecting new data. Explain that today’s success criteria are to identify secondary research sources, list its pros and cons, and evaluate a sample data set.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5’) – Students list where they currently find information; share with class.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10’) – Define secondary research, show common sources with examples.
  3. Group activity (12’) – Analyse provided data excerpts using a checklist; identify advantages and disadvantages.
  4. Class discussion (8’) – Groups present findings; teacher highlights key points and completes a summary table.
  5. Application exercise (10’) – Students decide whether to use secondary or primary research for a given business scenario.
  6. Check for understanding (5’) – Exit ticket: write one advantage and one limitation of secondary research.
Conclusion:
Summarise that secondary research offers cost‑effective, quick insights but may be outdated or biased. For the exit ticket, students write one advantage and one limitation on a sticky note. Assign homework to locate a recent secondary source online and evaluate its reliability using the checklist.