Common sources of secondary data for social science include statements, data collected by government agencies, organisational documents and data that was basically collected for other research objectives. However, Primary data, by difference, is gathered by the investigator conducting the research.

In contrast, a secondary source of information is one that was created later by someone who did not experience first-hand or participate in the events or conditions you’re researching. For the purposes of a historical research project, secondary sources are generally scholarly books and articles.

(EX: Diaries, speeches, letters, official records, autobiographies) A Secondary Source gets its information from somewhere else or by a person not directly involved in the event. (EX: encyclopedias, textbooks, book reports.)

Examples of a secondary source are: Publications such as textbooks, magazine articles, book reviews, commentaries, encyclopedias, almanacs.

Examples of secondary sources include:

• journal articles that comment on or analyse research.
• textbooks.
• dictionaries and encyclopaedias.
• books that interpret, analyse.
• political commentary.
• biographies.
• dissertations.
• newspaper editorial/opinion pieces.

Primary products are products in their natural states for example, raw materials that are “extracted” from the land or ocean. Secondary products are products that have been processed. Most products from the primary industry sector are considered raw materials for other industries.

4 common market research methods. There are lots of different ways you could conduct market research and collect customer data, but you don’t have to limit yourself to just one research method. Four common types of market research techniques include surveys, interviews, focus groups, and customer observation.

7 Stages or Steps Involved in Marketing Research Process

• Identification and Defining the Problem:
• Statement of Research Objectives:
• Planning the Research Design or Designing the Research Study:
• Planning the Sample:
• Data Collection:
• Data Processing and Analysis:
• Formulating Conclusion, Preparing and Presenting the Report:

Which types of market research should your firm be using?

• Secondary research helps you judge overall markets and identify trends.
• Phone interviews allow you to zero in on individuals. You can gain an in-depth understanding of needs, attitudes, plans and reactions.
• Surveys help you bridge the gap between the two.

While there are many ways to perform market research, most businesses use one or more of five basic methods: surveys, focus groups, personal interviews, observation, and field trials. The type of data you need and how much money you’re willing to spend will determine which techniques you choose for your business.

The marketing research process is comprised of six steps: 1: problem definition, 2: development of an approach to the problem, 3: research design formulation, 4: field work or data collection, 5: data preparation and analysis and, 6: report preparation and presentation.

Market research is defined as the process of evaluating the feasibility of a new product or service, through research conducted directly with potential consumers. This method allows organizations or businesses to discover their target market, collect and document opinions and make informed decisions.

Market research involves gathering information about your: industry and market environment – to understand factors external to your business. customers – to develop a customer profile. competitors – to develop a competitor profile.

Marketing research serves marketing management by providing information which is relevant to decision making. Rather, marketing research helps to reduce the uncertainty surrounding the decisions to be made. In order to do so effectively, marketing research has to be systematic, objective and analytical.

This research fulfils three functional roles: descriptive, diagnostic and predictive. The descriptive function includes gathering and presenting statements of fact. The diagnostic function is where data or actions of a target market are explained.