Which type of data source provides information that is not easily determined from reviewing records?

The correct answer is secondary data sources. Secondary data sources refer to data that has been collected and processed by someone else, and it often includes information that cannot be ascertained directly from reviewing primary records, such as patient charts or clinical details. These sources often involve data that has been aggregated or analyzed to provide insights, trends, or statistical information that is not readily available just by examining individual records.

For example, secondary data might come from sources such as national health surveys, research articles, or databases maintained by governmental or organizational entities. These resources can provide valuable insights into public health trends, demographics, or broader health outcomes that require analysis of data collected from various primary sources, rather than just looking at a single patient’s record.

Primary data sources, on the other hand, consist of original data collected directly from patients or clinical encounters. Tertiary data sources summarize or analyze primary and secondary data, such as encyclopedias or textbooks, and qualitative data sources focus on non-numerical data that capture experiences, opinions, or motivations, rather than providing analytical insights derived from processed data.