The purpose of market research is to find data that will help create the foundation of a successful business. Here are the market research sources every entrepreneur should know.

1. The Top 10 Market
Research Sources
Every Entrepreneur
Should Know

2. The purpose of market research is to find data
that will help create the foundation of a
successful business.

3. Market research is comprised of
two types of data:
1. Primary data - information you gather
yourself (i.e. surveys, focus groups,
and interviews)
2. Secondary data - reports and studies
done by government agencies, trade
associations, etc.

4. When conducting secondary market
research, it is important to gather data
that is accurate and up to date.
Sure, sometimes a Google search will
be successful, but you need to know
where to verify the data.
But where to start?

5. Need Help with your
Market Research?
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6. Secondary Data
Reliable secondary data is available from three
main sources:
1. Public Sources – free to access
2. Commercial Sources – generally require
payment to access
3. Educational Sources – some free, most
require subscription

7. Public Source:
US Census Bureau
www.census.gov produces data about
the American people and the economy.
Through hundreds of surveys every
year, the bureau collects demographic,
industry, economic, and government
data.

8. Public Source:
Bureau of Labor
Statistics
www.bls.gov produces statistical data
on the state of the US economy. The
agency publishes a range of data, from
inflation and consumer spending to
employment, productivity and wages.

9. Public Source:
Public Library
Your local public library offers a wealth
of information. In addition to magazine
and newspaper subscriptions, many
libraries also subscribe to internet
based data sources such as business
directories and industry research.

10. Commercial Source:
Industry & Trade
Associations
Many Industry and Trade Associations
publish reports on industry trends.
Some of these are free, but most
require membership (with associated
dues) to access these resources.
A directory of trade publications can be
found at www.prnewswire.com.

11. Commercial Source:
IBISWorld
www.ibisworld.com produces thoroughly
researched, accurate, and current
business information on more than 700
US industries.
Subscription required for full access;
individual reports available for
purchase.

12. Commercial Source:
Euromonitor
International
www.euromonitor.com gathers data on
thousands of products and services around
the world. Industry analysts in more than 80
countries produce more than 17,000 in-
depth, strategic market research reports
each year.
Full access by subscription; industry and
country reports available individually.

13. Commercial Source:
Pew Research
Center
www.pewresearch.org gathers data on
national, political, economic, and
demographic trends. The organization
conducts hundreds of public opinion
polls to measure attitudes on a variety
of topics.
Data access is free.

14. Commercial Source:
Nielsen
www.nielsen.com gathers data on
consumer purchasing and media trends
and habits worldwide.
A limited selection of this data is
available for free.

15. Commercial Source:
Dun & Bradstreet
This organization’s database of over
240 million company records is updated
5 million times per day. In addition to
company records, its Hoovers platform
leverages that data to offer industry
insights and analytics.
www.hoovers.com.
Subscription required.

16. Educational Source:
Google Schoolar
Scholar.google.com is an academic
source search engine. Some studies
are available online, but if not, Scholar
will generally show the abstract and
how to access the full text.

17. Top 10 Market Research Sources
Remember: Reliable sources support sound business decisions.
Top sources:
Public
• US Census Bureau
• US Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Your public library
Commercial
• Industry & Trade Associations
• IBISWorld
• Euromonitor International
• Pew Research Center
• Nielsen
• Dun & Bradstreet
Educational
• Google Scholar

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