You can find a wealth of information from secondary market research sources, such as research services and government statistics. However, when you require up-to-the-minute information that's specific to your company and product, you'll need to conduct primary market research. Primary market research techniques such as surveys, questionnaires, and focus groups can help you find just the information you need.

You can perform primary market research yourself or pay to have it done. Determine what primary market research technique you need to use, and determine whether you can use it in-house or whether you must hire a research agency. If you decide to use an agency, the research agency questionnaires can help you find the agency that's most suited to your needs.

Because primary market research can be time-consuming, most research participants need more incentive than the chance to make their voices heard. Decide how you will find qualified participants and how you will compensate them for their time and effort.

You can use the Primary market research survey template in Microsoft Office Word 2003 to gather information, or you can gather the same information in Microsoft Office InfoPath 2003 and have it automatically compiled for you. You can also use a checklist to help you prepare your research facility.

Finally, conduct your research or have it conducted, and document research findings. With good planning, you will collect information that is valuable for making business decisions and for planning your marketing strategy.

Click the following links for information and tools to help you conduct primary market research successfully.

• Find the right primary market research technique (Article)
  Learn how good planning can help you collect the right information for the least amount of time and money.
• Primary market research schedule (Template)
  Use this Project template to plan your primary market research.
• About the Primary Market Research Schedule template for Project Professional (Article)
  Find out how to use the Primary Market Research Schedule template for Project Professional.
• Research agency selection questionnaire (Template)
  Use this Word template to help identify the right research agency for your needs.
• Research agency selection questionnaire (Template)
  Use this InfoPath template to gather information from prospective research agencies.
• Marketing research survey (Template)
  Use this Word template to gather information from your customers.
• Primary market research survey (Template)
  Use this InfoPath template to collect information from your customers.
• Dos and don'ts for using marketing focus groups (Article)
  Learn how to avoid common mistakes when facilitating your next focus group.
• Research facilities checklist (Template)
  Use this OneNote template to help you prepare your research facility.