Which activity would be considered collecting primary data?

• A. Analyzing Industry Reports
• B. Reading A Company's Annual Report
• C. Conducting Customer Interviews
• D. Reviewing Government Census Data

Answer: (C)

Collecting primary data means gathering new information firsthand to answer a specific question. Conducting customer interviews fits this because you directly interact with customers, ask questions, and record fresh responses for your study. In contrast, analyzing industry reports, reading a company's annual report, and reviewing government census data rely on data collected by others for different purposes. Those are secondary data sources; they provide existing information that you analyze rather than produce yourself. Primary data offers tailored insights and can capture nuanced perspectives that published sources may not cover, though it requires more time and planning. Therefore, conducting customer interviews is the best fit for collecting primary data.