Finding the information you need to determine your marketing plan can involve two types of research, primary and/or secondary.

Primary market research is undertaken by, or for, companies and entrepreneurs for their own purposes. It consists of information collected from potential customers through surveys, interviews, focus groups, direct observation, field testing and any other method that provides first-hand data. The purpose of primary research is to obtain information about customer attitudes, preferences, buying habits, tastes and behavior - information that is not otherwise available.

Secondary market research involves searching existing information, such as demographic data and industrial statistics, that has already been collected and possibly analyzed by public or private agencies. Sources for this type of information will include our library, government departments responsible for economic development agencies, local Chambers of Commerce, conventional banks and other private financial institutions.

The following categories can help you get started on your secondary research:

• Statistics
• Company
• Sector