Business research is the process of acquiring information for commercial needs. The purpose is to improve performance and profits subsequently. It is a systematic study backed by the collection, compilation, analysis, presentation and interpretation of details. There are mainly four types for different business requirements:
- Quantitative Surveys
- Focus Group Discussions
- Qualitative Research Interviews
- Qualitative Case Studies
The worldwide revenue of the market research industry exceeded $76.4 billion in 2021 alone which is over two folds since 2008. The primary reason is that it helps to spot opportunities and threats, tackle challenges and make informed long-term decisions. You can frame a robust business strategy as well. It is also a way to motivate your staff and improve customer satisfaction. Below are the stages of the research for a clear understanding. Read on.
Stage 1: Problem Identification
The initial phase is to discover the problem that needs to be addressed. Notice the changing business dynamics, pick a goal and choose relevant resolving techniques. This will help you sustain and grow in this highly competitive market. But the particular issue also requires a concise definition which is also called exploratory research. It helps in understanding the topic and being able to utilize the available resources.
Stage 2: Designing the Research
After getting the correct direction for the research, the next step is to build the conceptual framework. It is basically the blueprint of measurement and data analysis. An overall approach of how you will go ahead with the research can help obtain relevant information. This is because one can test the hypothesis, determine possible answers and then come up with critical data that is required for growth. Pick from the following:
- free online tools.
- design a valid questionnaire.
- opt for experiments or surveys.
- consider the digital realm for research.
- think of email marketing.
It is a good idea to work with a third party to help you with surveys and polling for the most accurate outcome. The best one will come up with practical steps and multiple perspectives to help your brand go from ‘strength to strength’.
Stage 3: Data Collection
Literature surveys, interviews, official and unofficial reports, polls, telephone calls and library resources can provide an answer to solve the research problem. There are two types of data:
- Primary data which is exclusively collected.
- Secondary data which is already present.
Data collection is done in two further stages: pre-testing and main study. If the results of the pre-testing are not satisfactory, the researcher can consider an alternate design.
Stage 4: Evaluating Data
Interpreting the data requires conversion into a comprehensible format. It is done to ensure the data can be used readily for business decisions. Now the investigation is conducted in the form of determining patterns, forming categories, coding and tabulation, creating rough drafts of the findings and finally polishing the same to facilitate precise report preparation. A variety of statistical procedures may be used.
The last step is presenting the report. This includes the layout, introduction, principal report and conclusion. Invest in a trustworthy business analyst team to discover solutions and precisely communicate them to you on time.