No need to reinvent the wheel.
–If someone has already found the data, take advantage of it.
It will save you money.
–Even if you have to pay for access, often it is cheaper in terms of money than collecting your own data. (more on this later.)
What you must ask yourself:
–Will the data answer my research question?
To answer that
–You have the first decide what your research question is.
–Then you need to decide what data/variables are needed to scientifically answer the question
If that data exist in secondary form, then use them to the extent you can, keeping in mind limitations.
But if it does not, and you are able to fund primary collection, then it is the method of choice.
What did you find on the frustrating side as you looked for data on the state’s websites?