Characteristics of Market Research: A 6-Step Guide for Business Growth

Market research is a crucial aspect of any business, providing valuable insights into the needs, wants, and preferences of customers. It helps companies make informed decisions, identify market opportunities, and develop effective marketing strategies. However, market research isn’t a simple process, and there are several characteristics of market research that companies should be aware of to ensure they conduct effective research. In this article, we will cover several topics and questions. You will find out what market research is, how to do market research, and how to evaluate the results of your market research.

The objective of market research

The objective of market research is to provide businesses with valuable insights into the needs, wants, and preferences of their customers. The insights gained from market research can be used to identify market opportunities, develop effective marketing strategies, and make informed business decisions. The objective of market research is to ensure that businesses have the information they need to succeed in a competitive marketplace.

Companies use market research in several ways. Firstly, market research is used to identify market opportunities. By conducting research, businesses can identify gaps in the market, new trends, and emerging customer needs. This information can be used to develop new products or services that meet the needs of customers.

Secondly, market research is used to develop effective marketing strategies. By understanding the needs and preferences of their customers, businesses can create marketing campaigns that are more targeted and effective. Market research can provide valuable insights into the most effective marketing channels, the messaging that resonates with customers, and the most appropriate marketing budget.

Thirdly, market research is used to make informed business decisions. By conducting research, businesses can gather the information they need to make informed decisions about product development, pricing, distribution, and branding. Market research can provide businesses with the information they need to make decisions that are based on data and insights rather than assumptions or opinions.

Characteristic of market research

The first characteristic of market research is that it is systematic. Market research is conducted through a specific process that involves gathering, analyzing, and interpreting data. This process must be consistent and repeatable to ensure that the results are reliable and accurate.

The second characteristic is that market research is objective. The research must be conducted without any bias, personal opinions, or preconceived notions that might influence the results. It is essential to maintain objectivity to ensure the data collected is representative of the population being studied.

The third characteristic of market research is that it is empirical. This means that it is based on observation or direct experience. Market research relies on data and facts rather than assumptions or opinions. The data collected must be relevant, reliable, and valid.

The fourth characteristic of market research is that it is analytical. The data collected must be analyzed and interpreted to draw conclusions and make informed decisions. This process involves statistical analysis, data visualization, and data interpretation.

Types of market research

There are four types of market research: exploratory, descriptive, causal, and predictive.

• Exploratory research is used to identify and define a problem or opportunity
• Descriptive research is used to describe a market or demographic.
• Causal research is used to determine cause and effect relationships
• Predictive research is used to forecast future trends and behaviors.

There are many examples of market research, including surveys, focus groups, interviews, observations, and experiments. Surveys are one of the most common forms of market research, and they involve asking a set of questions to a group of people. Focus groups involve bringing together a group of people to discuss a particular topic or product. Interviews are conducted on an individual basis and involve asking a set of questions. Observations involve watching people’s behavior, and experiments involve testing a product or service in a controlled environment.

Methods in Market research

Market research methods include primary research and secondary research.

Primary research involves collecting data directly from the source, whereas secondary research involves collecting data from existing sources such as publications, databases, and reports.

1. Primary research methods include surveys, focus groups, interviews, observations, and experiments.
2. Secondary research methods include desk research, competitor analysis, and industry reports.

Good market research involves several key factors. Firstly, it should be focused on the specific objectives of the business. The research should be designed to answer specific questions and provide actionable insights. Secondly, the research should be conducted using reliable and valid methods. The data collected should be relevant, accurate, and representative of the population being studied. Thirdly, the research should be conducted within the budget and timeline of the business. It is essential to have a clear plan and budget in place to ensure that the research is completed on time and within budget.

How to start with market research?

Starting a market research project involves several steps. Firstly, it is essential to define the objectives of the research. This involves identifying the problem or opportunity and determining the specific questions that need to be answered.

Secondly, it is important to identify the target market or demographic that the research will focus on. This involves determining the characteristics of the population being studied and the sample size required.

Thirdly, it is important to determine the research methods that will be used to collect data. This involves selecting the appropriate methods based on the objectives of the research and the target market.

Fourthly, it is important to design the research instrument. This involves creating the survey questions, focus group discussion guides, or interview scripts that will be used to collect data. The research instrument should be designed to ensure that the data collected is relevant, accurate, and representative of the population being studied.

Fifthly, it is important to collect the data. This involves administering surveys, conducting focus groups or interviews, or observing people’s behavior. It is essential to ensure that the data collection process is consistent, and the data collected is valid and reliable.

Sixthly, it is important to analyze the data. This involves organizing the data, calculating statistical measures, and drawing conclusions. The data should be analyzed using appropriate statistical software and techniques.

Finally, it is essential to report the findings. This involves presenting the results of the research in a clear and concise manner. The report should include an executive summary, an introduction to the research, the methodology used, the results of the research, and recommendations based on the findings.

Step-by-Step Guide to How to do Market Research

Define your objectives:

The first step in any market research project is to define your objectives. Let’s say you are a restaurant looking to make renovations, your objectives might include understanding your target market, identifying the most effective marketing channels, and determining the most effective pricing strategy.

Identify your target market:

Once you have defined your objectives, the next step is to identify your target market. This might include people who live in the surrounding area, people who have visited the restaurant in the past, or people who have expressed an interest in dining at your restaurant. There are several online tools that can help you identify your target market, such as Google Analytics, Facebook Insights, and SurveyMonkey, or Audience.

Choose your research methods

After you have identified your target market, the next step is to choose your research methods. Some common research methods for restaurants include surveys, focus groups, and online reviews.

Surveys are a great way to gather feedback from your customers and can be conducted using online tools such as SurveyMonkey or Google Forms.

Focus groups are a more in-depth research method that involves bringing together a group of people to discuss a particular topic. Online reviews can also provide valuable feedback on your restaurant’s service, menu, and ambiance.

Design your research instrument

Once you have chosen your research methods, the next step is to design your research instrument. This might include creating survey questions, focus group discussion guides, or online review prompts. It is important to design your research instrument carefully to ensure that you are collecting relevant, accurate, and representative data.

Example

Here’s an example of how a restaurant could design a research instrument to gather feedback from their customers:

1. Begin the survey with an introduction that explains the purpose of the survey and how the results will be used. For example, “Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey. We are conducting this survey to better understand our customers’ needs and preferences, and your feedback will help us improve our restaurant and services.”
2. Ask demographic questions to understand the characteristics of your customers, such as their age, gender, income, and location. This information can be used to identify patterns and trends in the data. For example, “What is your age?” or “What is your annual household income?”
3. Ask questions about the customers’ dining experience to understand their preferences and identify areas for improvement. For example, “How often do you dine at our restaurant?” or “How satisfied are you with the quality of our food?”
4. Ask questions about the restaurant’s atmosphere to understand customers’ perceptions and preferences. For example, “How would you rate the ambiance of our restaurant?” or “How comfortable are our seating arrangements?”
5. Ask questions about pricing to understand customers’ willingness to pay and to identify opportunities for price optimization. For example, “How would you rate the value for money at our restaurant?” or “Would you be willing to pay more for higher-quality ingredients?”
6. Finally, provide an open-ended question or section to allow customers to provide additional feedback. This can be a valuable source of qualitative data and can help identify specific issues or opportunities for improvement. For example, “Is there anything else you would like to share about your dining experience?”

Collect your data

After you have designed your research instrument, the next step is to collect your data. This might involve administering surveys to your customers, conducting focus groups, or analyzing online reviews. There are several tools available that can help you collect and analyze your data, such as Qualtrics, or Excel

Analyze your data

Once you have collected your data, the next step is to analyze it. This might involve organizing your data, calculating statistical measures, and drawing conclusions. There are several tools available that can help you analyze your data, such as very powerful SPSS, or simply my favorite Excel.

Report your findings

Finally, you will need to report your findings. This might involve creating a report or presentation that summarizes your research, highlights your key findings, and provides recommendations for how to move forward. There are several tools available that can help you create reports and presentations, such as free Canva or simply use MS Word. But you can formulate your findings in form of Word document. It is important to create a report to organize your thoughts and findings.

By following this step-by-step guide and using the appropriate tools and techniques, your business can conduct effective market research that provides valuable insights into the needs, wants, and preferences of their customers. This information can be used to make informed decisions about renovations, marketing strategies, and pricing, ultimately leading to more high-paying clients and increased business success.

Threats to market research

There are several threats to market research that companies should be aware of.

• Firstly, there is the risk of biased data. This can occur when the research is conducted with a preconceived notion or bias.
• Secondly, there is the risk of inaccurate data. This can occur when the research methods are not reliable, or the data is not representative of the population being studied.
• Thirdly, there is the risk of misinterpretation of data. This can occur when the data is analyzed incorrectly or the conclusions drawn from the data are not accurate.

An example of a marketing research problem is determining the most effective price point for a new product. This involves conducting research to determine the price sensitivity of the target market, the competitive landscape, and the perceived value of the product. By conducting research, businesses can determine the optimal price point that will maximize sales and profitability.

Conclusion

In conclusion, market research is a critical aspect of any business that wants to succeed in a competitive marketplace. By understanding the characteristics of market research, companies can conduct effective research that provides valuable insights into the needs, wants, and preferences of their customers. By following the step-by-step guide outlined in this article and using the appropriate tools and techniques, businesses can conduct research that is reliable, valid, and actionable.

Market research provides businesses with the information they need to identify market opportunities, develop effective marketing strategies, and make informed business decisions. By conducting research, businesses can gain a competitive advantage and succeed in a dynamic and evolving marketplace.