Market Research 101

Secondary research has already been compiled in books and association reports. The benefits are obvious: you save time and money, because you don't have to develop survey methods or do the interviewing. There are three main categories of secondary sources:

1. Public Sources. Public sources, such as government offices and the business departments of public libraries, usually provide free useful information. Helpful government publications include:

State and Metropolitan Area Data Book ($26). Offers statistics for metropolitan areas, central cities and counties.

Statistical Abstract of the United States ($37 paperback). Contains statistics from both government and private sources.

U.S. Global Outlook ($19). Traces the growth of 200 industries and gives five-year forecasts for each.

These items are available from your local U.S. Government Printing Office or at your local library.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) sponsors programs such as SCORE (Service Corps Of Retired Executives) and Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), which can provide free counseling and a wealth of business information. The Department of Commerce provides information on both domestic industries and foreign markets through its International Trade Administration (ITA) branch. Contact the U.S. Commerce Department Library at (202) 482-5511 for more information.

The business section of public libraries usually includes a wide range of government and market statistics and directories, and magazines, newspapers and newsletters.

Most county governments publish population density and distribution figures in accessible census tracts. City chambers of commerce or business development departments will supply you (usually for free) with information on population trends, community income characteristics, payrolls, industrial development, and so on.

Most major banks offer advisory services to businesspeople on finance-related problems. Bank-generated research is also sometimes available. Services are usually free to existing customers.

Publicly owned companies' annual reports often reveal how successful the company is and what products they plan to emphasize in the future.

2. Commercial Sources. Commercial sources are equally valuable, but usually involve costs, such as subscription and association fees. This is still far cheaper than hiring a research team to collect the data firsthand.

Among the best sources are research and trade associations. Their information is usually confined to a certain industry and available only to association members, but that gathered by the larger associations is usually thorough, accurate and worth the cost of membership. To locate a trade association in your industry, consult the Encyclopedia of Associations (Gale Research) at your library and Business Information Sources, by Lorna M. Daniels (University of California Press, $39.95, 800-822-6657).

Research associations are often independent, but are sometimes affiliated with trade associations. They often limit research to industrial development, but some have become full-service information sources with a wide range of supplementary publications.

Contact the sales departments of various newspapers and magazines for copies of the business profiles used in their sales efforts. They will help determine the financial situation of your potential customers. Managers of local broadcasting stations routinely conduct research that can help you determine whether there is a valid market for your product or service.

Many of the resources listed above also appear online. There are several consumer online services to which you can subscribe for less than $20 per month. They offer access to many business and government statistic databases, as well as Dun & Bradstreet research.

3. Educational Sources.There is more research conducted in colleges, universities and polytechnic institutes than virtually any sector of the business community. Educational research ranges from faculty-based projects, often published under professors' bylines, to student projects, theses and assignments. Copies of student research projects may be available for free with faculty and student permission; Contact the university administration department and marketing/management-studies departments for further information. Some University libraries are open to the public, although borrowing privileges are typically restricted to students and alumni. Call to find out.


This article was excerpted from Entrepreneur Magazine Group's Small Business Encyclopedia ($149). For more information, call (800) 421-2300 to order.

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This article was originally published in the April 1996 print edition of Entrepreneur with the headline: Market Research 101.