Information that has been collected prior to the start of the research project is called data.

secondary data

Explanation:

Secondary data is information that previously was collected by everyone else but the researcher. This sources of information can sometimes be done by institutions or governments, they can include records of research done by others like a census and statistics.

When the data is not directly a product of the researcher it will be considered a secondary source-

Secondary data sources enable research to consider previous elements of knowledge in the same are and the consequent updates on the matter.

This is data that will generally have another purpose but that it can be included in the research whereas a primary source is the products of the work of the research.