Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-2-5-primary-and-secondary-market-research

[Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [GCSE](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse.md) › [Business](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business.md) › [Edexcel](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel.md) › Primary & Secondary Market Research

# Primary & Secondary Market Research

Business: Edexcel GCSE, topic 1.2.5

## Primary Market Research

Primary market research is market research that is done by a firm for its own use. A business can tailor this research to their own exact needs.

### Examples of primary market research

![Examples of primary market research](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/d1f91465-608d-4b7a-aebc-bbc1b0497065/shutterstock_326433818.jpg)

- For example, a firm may use questionnaires, surveys or interviews to carry out primary research.
- Firms often do this without the customer thinking about it.
- A key benefit of primary research is that it is tailored exactly to the needs of the business.

### The likert scale

![The likert scale](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/da6d4214-b68c-47df-810d-dd665287c234/shutterstock_510731224.jpg)

- At airports, firms like Ferrovial, which owns Heathrow often ask what your service was like at security clearance queues. 
- This is known as a likert scale, which is a form of market research that firms use to try to understand and gauge what customers think of their product or service.

## Secondary Market Research

Secondary market research happens when firms collect information on research that has been performed by other organisations or people. Secondary market research is particularly useful for information about an entire market rather than a specific target market. It is often cheap.

### Government reports

![Government reports](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/d211c737-cb89-4773-851c-08ad7ea83a3e/shutterstock_524062759.jpg)

- For example, market research done by governments contained in reports like the Family Expenditure Survey, newspaper articles and research reports written by independent organisations.

## Test yourself on Primary & Secondary Market Research

- What is the key benefit of primary research?
- A government survey of supermarkets is an example of what?
- Which of the following is NOT a benefit of secondary market research?

[Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/e7efbfa0-222a-11e8-9249-b5781fc38111/section/32872018-07b9-47b1-8030-08a08ab9176c/session)

- Previous topic: [1.2.4 The Competitive Environment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-2-4-the-competitive-environment.md)
- Next topic: [1.2.6 End of Topic Test - Business Opportunities](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-2-6-end-of-topic-test-business-opportunities.md)

## Business: Edexcel GCSE contents

### 1 Investigating Small Business
- 1.1 Enterprise & Entrepreneurship
  - [1.1.1 The Dynamic Nature of Businesses](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-1-1-the-dynamic-nature-of-businesses.md)
  - [1.1.2 Risk & Reward](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-1-2-risk-and-reward.md)
  - [1.1.3 The Role of Business Enterprise](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-1-3-the-role-of-business-enterprise.md)
  - [1.1.4 The Role of Business Enterprise 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-1-4-the-role-of-business-enterprise-2.md)
  - [1.1.5 The Role of the Entrepreneur](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-1-5-the-role-of-the-entrepreneur.md)
  - [1.1.6 End of Topic Test - Dynamic Nature of Business](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-1-6-end-of-topic-test-dynamic-nature-of-business.md)
  - [1.1.7 Grade 9 - Dynamic Nature of Business](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-1-7-grade-9-dynamic-nature-of-business.md)
- 1.2 Spotting a Business Opportunity
  - [1.2.1 Customer Needs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-2-1-customer-needs.md)
  - [1.2.2 Market Research](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-2-2-market-research.md)
  - [1.2.3 Market Segmentation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-2-3-market-segmentation.md)
  - [1.2.4 The Competitive Environment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-2-4-the-competitive-environment.md)
  - [1.2.5 Primary & Secondary Market Research](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-2-5-primary-and-secondary-market-research.md)
  - [1.2.6 End of Topic Test - Business Opportunities](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-2-6-end-of-topic-test-business-opportunities.md)
  - [1.2.7 Application Questions - Business Opportunities](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-2-7-application-questions-business-opportunities.md)
  - [1.2.8 Exam-Style Questions - Market Segmentation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-2-8-exam-style-questions-market-segmentation.md)
  - [1.2.9 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Competition](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-2-9-diagnostic-misconceptions-competition.md)
- 1.3 Putting a Business Idea into Practice
  - [1.3.1 Business Aims](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-3-1-business-aims.md)
  - [1.3.2 Business Objectives](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-3-2-business-objectives.md)
  - [1.3.3 Business Revenues & Costs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-3-3-business-revenues-and-costs.md)
  - [1.3.4 Costs - Calculations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-3-4-costs-calculations.md)
  - [1.3.5 Revenue - Calculations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-3-5-revenue-calculations.md)
  - [1.3.6 Business Profits & Break-Even Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-3-6-business-profits-and-break-even-analysis.md)
  - [1.3.7 Profits & Losses - Calculations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-3-7-profits-and-losses-calculations.md)
  - [1.3.8 Interest - Calculations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-3-8-interest-calculations.md)
  - [1.3.9 Cash & Cash Flow](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-3-9-cash-and-cash-flow.md)
  - [1.3.10 Cash & Cash Flow 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-3-10-cash-and-cash-flow-2.md)
  - [1.3.11 Cash Flow - Calculations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-3-11-cash-flow-calculations.md)
  - [1.3.12 Sources of Business Finance](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-3-12-sources-of-business-finance.md)
  - [1.3.13 End of Topic Test - Business in Practice](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-3-13-end-of-topic-test-business-in-practice.md)
  - [1.3.14 Grade 9 - Business in Practice](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-3-14-grade-9-business-in-practice.md)
  - [1.3.15 Exam-Style Questions - Business in Practice](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-3-15-exam-style-questions-business-in-practice.md)
  - [1.3.16 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Profit](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-3-16-diagnostic-misconceptions-profit.md)
  - [1.3.17 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Company vs Business](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-3-17-diagnostic-misconceptions-company-vs-business.md)
  - [1.3.18 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Economies of Scale](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-3-18-diagnostic-misconceptions-economies-of-scale.md)
  - [1.3.19 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Cash Flow](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-3-19-diagnostic-misconceptions-cash-flow.md)
  - [1.3.20 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Break-even](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-3-20-diagnostic-misconceptions-break-even.md)
  - [1.3.21 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Fixed Costs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-3-21-diagnostic-misconceptions-fixed-costs.md)
- 1.4 Making the Business Effective
  - [1.4.1 The Options for Start-Up & Small Businesses](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-4-1-the-options-for-start-up-and-small-businesses.md)
  - [1.4.2 Limited Liability](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-4-2-limited-liability.md)
  - [1.4.3 Franchising & Not-For-Profits](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-4-3-franchising-and-not-for-profits.md)
  - [1.4.4 Business Location](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-4-4-business-location.md)
  - [1.4.5 The Marketing Mix](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-4-5-the-marketing-mix.md)
  - [1.4.6 Business Plans](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-4-6-business-plans.md)
  - [1.4.7 End of Topic Test - Effective Business](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-4-7-end-of-topic-test-effective-business.md)
  - [1.4.8 Application Questions - Effective Business](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-4-8-application-questions-effective-business.md)
  - [1.4.9 Exam-Style Questions - Business Plans](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-4-9-exam-style-questions-business-plans.md)
- 1.5 Business Stakeholders
  - [1.5.1 Business Stakeholders](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-5-1-business-stakeholders.md)
  - [1.5.2 Technology & Business](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-5-2-technology-and-business.md)
  - [1.5.3 Legislation & Business](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-5-3-legislation-and-business.md)
  - [1.5.4 Legislation & Business 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-5-4-legislation-and-business-2.md)
  - [1.5.5 The Economy & Business](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-5-5-the-economy-and-business.md)
  - [1.5.6 External Influences](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-5-6-external-influences.md)
  - [1.5.7 End of Topic Test - Business Stakeholders](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-5-7-end-of-topic-test-business-stakeholders.md)
  - [1.5.8 Grade 9 - Business Stakeholders](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-5-8-grade-9-business-stakeholders.md)
  - [1.5.9 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Recessions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-5-9-diagnostic-misconceptions-recessions.md)

### 2 Building a Business
- 2.1 Growing the Business
  - [2.1.1 Business Growth](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-1-1-business-growth.md)
  - [2.1.2 Finance](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-1-2-finance.md)
  - [2.1.3 Changes in Business Aims & Globalisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-1-3-changes-in-business-aims-and-globalisation.md)
  - [2.1.4 Ethics & Business](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-1-4-ethics-and-business.md)
  - [2.1.5 The Environment & Business](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-1-5-the-environment-and-business.md)
  - [2.1.6 End of Topic Test - Growing a Business](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-1-6-end-of-topic-test-growing-a-business.md)
  - [2.1.7 Application Questions - Growing a Business](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-1-7-application-questions-growing-a-business.md)
  - [2.1.8 Exam-Style Questions - Business Growth](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-1-8-exam-style-questions-business-growth.md)
- 2.2 Making Marketing Decisions
  - [2.2.1 Product](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-2-1-product.md)
  - [2.2.2 Product Life Cycle](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-2-2-product-life-cycle.md)
  - [2.2.3 Price](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-2-3-price.md)
  - [2.2.4 Pricing Methods](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-2-4-pricing-methods.md)
  - [2.2.5 End of Topic Test - Product & Price](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-2-5-end-of-topic-test-product-and-price.md)
  - [2.2.6 Grade 9  - Product & Price](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-2-6-grade-9-product-and-price.md)
  - [2.2.7 Promotion & Advertising](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-2-7-promotion-and-advertising.md)
  - [2.2.8 PR & Sales Promotions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-2-8-pr-and-sales-promotions.md)
  - [2.2.9 Sponsorship & Product Placement](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-2-9-sponsorship-and-product-placement.md)
  - [2.2.10 Promotional Mix](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-2-10-promotional-mix.md)
  - [2.2.11 End of Topic Test - Promotion](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-2-11-end-of-topic-test-promotion.md)
  - [2.2.12 Application Questions - Promotion](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-2-12-application-questions-promotion.md)
  - [2.2.13 Exam-Style Questions - Promotional Mix](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-2-13-exam-style-questions-promotional-mix.md)
  - [2.2.14 Place & Wholesalers](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-2-14-place-and-wholesalers.md)
  - [2.2.15 Direct to Consumer](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-2-15-direct-to-consumer.md)
  - [2.2.16 E-commerce & M-commerce](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-2-16-e-commerce-and-m-commerce.md)
  - [2.2.17 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Decreasing Price](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-2-17-diagnostic-misconceptions-decreasing-price.md)
  - [2.2.18 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Advertise vs Promote](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-2-18-diagnostic-misconceptions-advertise-vs-promote.md)
  - [2.2.19 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Social Media](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-2-19-diagnostic-misconceptions-social-media.md)
- 2.3 Making Operational Decisions
  - [2.3.1 Job Production](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-3-1-job-production.md)
  - [2.3.2 Batch & Flow Production](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-3-2-batch-and-flow-production.md)
  - [2.3.3 Working with Suppliers](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-3-3-working-with-suppliers.md)
  - [2.3.4 Effective Supply Chains](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-3-4-effective-supply-chains.md)
  - [2.3.5 Just In Time & Just In Case](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-3-5-just-in-time-and-just-in-case.md)
  - [2.3.6 Managing Quality](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-3-6-managing-quality.md)
  - [2.3.7 Total Quality Management](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-3-7-total-quality-management.md)
  - [2.3.8 The Sales Process](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-3-8-the-sales-process.md)
  - [2.3.9 End of Topic Test - Operational Decisions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-3-9-end-of-topic-test-operational-decisions.md)
  - [2.3.10 Grade 9  - Operational Decisions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-3-10-grade-9-operational-decisions.md)
  - [2.3.11 Exam-Style Questions - Managing Stock](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-3-11-exam-style-questions-managing-stock.md)
  - [2.3.12 Diagnostic Misconceptions - JIT vs JIC](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-3-12-diagnostic-misconceptions-jit-vs-jic.md)
- 2.4 Making Financial Decisions
  - [2.4.1 Gross Profit & Net Profit - Definitions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-4-1-gross-profit-and-net-profit-definitions.md)
  - [2.4.2 Gross Profit - Calculations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-4-2-gross-profit-calculations.md)
  - [2.4.3 Net Profit - Calculations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-4-3-net-profit-calculations.md)
  - [2.4.4 Rate of Return](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-4-4-rate-of-return.md)
  - [2.4.5 Rate of Return - Calculations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-4-5-rate-of-return-calculations.md)
  - [2.4.6 Research & Financial Data](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-4-6-research-and-financial-data.md)
  - [2.4.7 Marketing Data](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-4-7-marketing-data.md)
  - [2.4.8 Percentage Change - Calculations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-4-8-percentage-change-calculations.md)
- 2.5 Making Human Resource Decisions
  - [2.5.1 Organisational Structures](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-5-1-organisational-structures.md)
  - [2.5.2 Organisational Structures 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-5-2-organisational-structures-2.md)
  - [2.5.3 Recruitment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-5-3-recruitment.md)
  - [2.5.4 Effective Recruitment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-5-4-effective-recruitment.md)
  - [2.5.5 Training a Workforce](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-5-5-training-a-workforce.md)
  - [2.5.6 Motivating a Workforce](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-5-6-motivating-a-workforce.md)
  - [2.5.7 End of Topic Tests - Human Resources](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-5-7-end-of-topic-tests-human-resources.md)
  - [2.5.8 Application Questions - Human Resources](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-5-8-application-questions-human-resources.md)
  - [2.5.9 Exam-Style Questions - Human Resources](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-5-9-exam-style-questions-human-resources.md)
  - [2.5.10 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Owners vs Shareholders](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-5-10-diagnostic-misconceptions-owners-vs-shareholders.md)
  - [2.5.11 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Internal Recruitment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-5-11-diagnostic-misconceptions-internal-recruitment.md)
  - [2.5.12 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Employee Motivation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-5-12-diagnostic-misconceptions-employee-motivation.md)