MKT-240: Basic Marketing Research

Learn how to gather and analyze customer insights in this Basic Marketing Research course. Explore qualitative and quantitative methods, data collection, ethics, and reporting to support managerial decision-making.

Course Description

The Basic Marketing Research course introduces students to the tools and techniques organizations use to collect and analyze information that drives decision-making. Using Basic Marketing Research: Customer Insights and Managerial Action, 10th Edition by Tom J. Brown, Tracy A. Suter, and Gilbert A. Churchill, the course emphasizes how to define research problems, design projects, gather data, and translate findings into actionable recommendations.

Students will gain hands-on experience with both qualitative and quantitative research methods, including exploratory, descriptive, and causal designs. Core topics include survey design, sampling, observation, data quality, error analysis, and ethical considerations in research. Learners will also explore the role of decision support systems, secondary data sources, and big data in today’s business environment.

Designed for students pursuing marketing, business, or related fields, the course blends conceptual frameworks with applied skills. By the end, students will understand how to design and conduct research projects, evaluate data, and communicate insights effectively through written and oral presentations. This foundation prepares learners to use customer insights to guide managerial actions and contributes to careers in marketing, market research, business analysis, and consulting.

Textbook: Basic Marketing Research: Customer Insights and Managerial Action (10th Edition) by Tom J. Brown, Tracy A. Suter, Gilbert A. Churchill

Course Objectives

Explain the role of marketing research in supporting managerial decision-making.

Define research problems and formulate research objectives.

Differentiate between exploratory, descriptive, and causal research designs.

Collect, evaluate, and analyze both primary and secondary data.

Apply sampling methods and assess data quality, errors, and response rates.

Communicate research findings effectively through written and oral reports.

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Course Contents

Part 1. Introduction to Marketing Research and Problem Definition

The Role of Marketing Research

The Research Process and the Importance of Ethics

Problem Formulation

Exploratory Research

Part 2. Working with Existing Information to Solve Problems

Decision Support Systems: Introduction

Decision Support Systems: Working With “Big Data”

Using External Secondary Data

Part 3. Collecting Primary Data to Solve Problems

Conducting Causal Research

Collecting Descriptive Primary Data

Collecting Data by Observation

Collecting Data by Communication

Asking Good Questions

Designing the Data Collection Form for Communication Data

Developing the Sampling Plan

Data Collection: Types of Error and Response Rate Calculation

Part 4. Analyzing Data

Data Preparation for Analysis

Analysis and Interpretation: Individual Variables Independently

Analysis and Interpretation: Multiple Variables Simultaneously

Part 5. Reporting the Results

The Oral Research Presentation

The Written Research Report

Single Course or Program Option

This course may be purchased individually or as part of the certificate programs listed below.

Recommended Prerequisites

Accreditation You Can Trust

Washington Technical Institute is fully accredited by the Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS)—a regional accrediting agency recognized for setting high standards in education. This accreditation affirms that our programs, operations, and outcomes meet rigorous academic and institutional benchmarks. MSA-CESS accreditation is a mark of quality that ensures our students receive an education that is both credible and respected. It also means WTI is committed to continuous improvement, student success, and accountability at every level.