upcoming research definition

Market Research: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How To Get It Right

What is market research?

What is market research used for? How important is it? And, how do you choose the right type of research for your business?

Sit back, take five, and I’ll explain the different types of research , what tools are best for the job, and how you can leverage them to grow your business and master your market .

Market research definition:

Market research means to systematically collect and analyze data about a target market or defined segment. It’s a multivariate process that uncovers key facts and insights to inform decisions.

Whether you’re launching a new product , looking for ways to expand a business, or seeking out efficiencies in an existing company, market research is a highly effective way to flesh-out ideas, innovate, and grow. 

Advantages of market research

Market research helps you identify your greatest strengths, threats, and opportunities. It can help you find your way when markets become tough to predict and find efficient ways to grow your business .

• Reduce costs
• Define detailed customer personas
• Make data-driven decisions
• Find new opportunities for growth
• Unpack competitor’s successes
• Develop an informed content marketing strategy
• Identify trends
• Inform market analysis
• Discover the best marketing channels to use
• Find the best ways to communicate with customers
• Benchmark performance against rivals

Online market research can help the whole business at any stage of its life. When practiced consistently and systematically, you can realize its many benefits.

Why is market research important?

Market research helps you identify your greatest threats. And it also gives you a clear picture of opportunities you can capitalize on for greater returns on your business investments, or ROI.

Understanding your specific market on different levels and from different perspectives helps you reach well-informed, data-informed decisions . The process can involve multiple phases. But, if you follow a systematic approach using a market research template , your efforts will pay off.

To skip ahead and start right now, download our free pack of market research templates.

Different types of market research

Market research is a questions and answers game. Once you’ve asked the important questions, you’ll need to choose the right type of research to get your answers. There are four core types of research, each of which can be applied to help you solve a problem or gather insights to inform key decisions.

Primary market research

Primary market research is the first-hand collection of data. It’s data that’s not available to others, and can be obtained in a number of ways. Here are the most common.

• Web Metrics Use analytics software that provides traffic and engagement metrics to understand how audiences behave.
• Observation To observe how users behave and navigate your site, you can install software that records visits and creates heatmaps. Such tools are useful for qualitative research regarding your UX/UI and at the same time, quantify the findings.
• Customer surveys Survey questionnaires and polls can be distributed to any number of customers through email, SMS, your site, or social media. They let you collect both qualitative and quantitative data from respondents using open-ended questions.
• Focus groups You select a small number of people for a group discussion. A moderator leads the session with questions and records the conclusions. This is also a form of qualitative research, and you would use it to get in-depth information.
• Face-to-face interviews Another qualitative assessment method is one-on-one interviews. Consumers representative of your target audience or a segment of it are selected to answer questions about a specific research topic.
• Phone calls To involve a larger number of people and get more answers, you can conduct surveys over the phone. These interviews would be less specific and include fewer questions.

Helpful: A complete guide to doing primary market research

Secondary market research

Secondary research is second-hand data that has already been produced. It’s available to all who wish to consume it. Using this type of data is preferred by those who wish to keep costs low, as it can be quicker and freely available.

• Government reports and census data Annual, quarterly, and other periodic industry reports are a rich data source to tap into. Government organizations publish statistics in areas of trade, ecommerce, and finance.
• Academic papers and educational resources University research is a source of high-quality information. This is useful for in-depth background information on a broad scale.
• Online articles and case studies, public and commercial sources Industry-specific publications can be a valuable source of information for market segmentation, providing you with data and insights on market trends or a specific market segment or niche.

Further reading: A complete guide to doing desk research

Qualitative market research

Qualitative market research is one of the best ways to understand how people think or feel about a brand, product, or service. It takes more time to plan and analyze the results than other market research types. However, with tools like market research surveys , there are quick and effective ways to do it.

As some of the methods are outlined in the primary and secondary research sections, I’ve included a short list of qualitative research methods below.

• Focus groups
• Case study or whitepaper 
• Online forums
• Biometrics 
• Ethnography

Helpful: Read the complete guide to qualitative research and 83 qualitative research questions & examples

Quantitative market research

Quantitative market research is all about numbers. It collects numerical data to help answer specific research questions . The information collected can be easily quantified and analyzed to establish trends, insights, and patterns.

With this type of research, you’ve got three core data collection methods. However, you’ve also got to consider the design of the research, which can impact which method is used.

What is market research used for?

The applications for market research are virtually limitless. Market research can help you unravel the most complex of business challenges to reach data-driven decisions , and when used consistently, it can help you navigate turbulent times, fuel growth, and support your success . Here are just a few examples of what market research is used for, with a few real-world examples thrown in for good measure.

1. Company research

Market research allows you to shine a spotlight on any business and unpack its wins and losses for your own gain. Let’s say you are doing market research for a business plan ; you’ll likely want to evaluate the successes of others in your industry. Doing systematic company research is a proven way to inform a SWOT analysis .

Doing industry analysis can show you who your industry leaders are , along with any emerging players showing exponential growth.

Let’s say I want to find out which companies to research, I would use Similarweb Digital Research Intelligence to analyze an industry. Here, I can see who my top companies to watch are instantly. It also shows me other companies showing rapid growth in my market.

Read More: How to Research a Company: The Ultimate Guide

2. Competitive benchmarking

Most of your relevant data will come from your competition. If you plan to offer something that’s new for you but already exists in the market, learn from other’s mistakes and successes. If your goal is to evaluate and optimize, collect competitors’ data, and compare it to yours. See what works for them, find their weak spots, and improve on them.

What market research gives you here, is the ability to systematically compare each of your rivals. And, it’s not as complex as it sounds either. Simply choose a type of competitive analysis frameworks to use, complete the template for each; then compare the results to uncover relevant insights.

Read More: The Why and How of Competitive Benchmarking

3. Trendspotting

Another objective for market researchers is to forecast upcoming trends. Data collection over time helps you understand the dynamics of the market. Some markets have strong seasonal fluctuations. Increased shopping during December is an obvious example, but often these shifts are not always evident unless you measure and analyze them specifically.

With the data from your historical market research, you can evaluate their impact and the likelihood you will keep seeing these trends. Based on that, you can make predictions about future developments.

4. Audience analysis

Who will find your product most useful and why? 

Examining the size of your audience and the existing demand for your product or services is crucial. Understanding  your target audience allows you to build your product offering and marketing strategy more efficiently. You also want to learn first-hand where people buy this type of product and how much they are willing to spend so that you can estimate your reachable market share .

Here’s a quick example of how we use Similarweb to do effective audience analysis . You can unpack key audience demographics for any site you choose. And get up-to-date stats about gender, age, location, interests, browsing habits, and more.

5. Market segmentation

There are lots of ways to segment a market. Doing this well can deliver higher conversions, reduce costs, redefine marketing strategies, and help you connect with customers on a more personal level. Market research can help you do most types of market segmentation, the most widely adopted of all is demographic segmentation. Here, you look for shared but specific characteristics of a target audience.

Using Similarweb, I can view audience demographics for a website, and compare it side-by-side with rival sites. In this example, I am looking at hotel booking sites to try and spot any difference between the respective audiences of each.

Helpful: Read our complete guide to market segmentation

6. Marketing strategy

Market research can also help you reach the right decision regarding where to advertise or market your business. After analyzing the data, you’ll know which marketing channels are most effective with your target audience. You can also use research to look at the specific keywords and ad creatives that are generating the best responses and ROI.

Similarweb Digital Research Intelligence makes this type of research effortless. Within the marketing channels tab, you can analyze an entire industry or hone in on a specific site of interest. View the various channels across social media, email, direct, organic search, paid search, and display ads to see which channels convert and where the highest channel traffic comes from.

7. Customer experience

Market research is your best way to get information that isn’t naturally visible but that may significantly affect your business. Just think, the fact that your users don’t complain doesn’t necessarily mean they are all delighted with what you offer.

While some customers tend to keep their criticism to themselves, others will be vocal and leave reviews online. Market research is a powerful tool to help inform improvements to services and products alike. Asking for feedback, listening to it, and looking at the feedback left for rivals in your market can uncover telling insights that can shape service offerings, marketing campaigns, and new feature development.

To see what people use market research for and view real-world instances of research in action, head over to our market research examples page.

Tools for market research

When we look at what market research is, the answer is always rooted in data . Over 100 years ago, vehicle manufacturers undertook extensive research to help them develop different models to suit various segments of society. Fast-forward 100 years, and we find similar applications still exist. However, what’s changed are the tools being used and, more importantly, the accessibility of those tools to a far broader audience .

There are more market intelligence tools in existence today than ever before. Here’s a quick summary of a few you can use to collect information for your market research.

• Google Trends Google Trends is a valuable resource for quantitative research data about market tendencies and user behavior.

• Similarweb Research Intelligence Get the freshest digital intelligence from a platform that shows the insights that count. With the ability to analyze an entire market in an instant and unpick competitors’ wins and losses online, you can count on it to help you perform quick and effective market research.
• Hotjar The digital tool lets you observe and record user behavior on your website. It also creates heatmaps of your pages so you can analyze how visitors navigate.
• SurveyMonkey Create your own online survey with this free tool. SurveyMonkey provides templates for questionnaires and lets you distribute them through your various channels, then collect and interpret results.
• YouGov This platform offers its users daily with thousands of data points and statistics on consumer attitudes, opinions, and behavior.
• Pew Research Center This non-profit organization conducts and publishes public opinion polling, demographic research, content analysis, and other data-driven social science research.
• Living Facts The site provides current statistics about the American population, including demographics, social and health issues, opinions, and more.

Read this post to see what market research tools are hot right now.

Wrapping up: what is market research

Market research is insight. It gives you information to fuel key decisions in your business. Without it, companies must navigate their market uncertainly and make key decisions based on instinct or outdated data.

Similarweb transforms the way companies do market research . There’s no expensive outlay for prolonged research reports that take an age to produce. The data is the freshest there is; it’s credible and shows traffic trends and comparable performance like no other.

Try using it to answer your next big market research question.

Stop Guessing, Start Analyzing

Get actionable insights for market research here

What are the benefits of market research?

Effective market research helps businesses understand and improve their position while also identifying potential threats and opportunities, while also spotting emerging trends .

What is the main purpose of market research?

The main benefit of market research is insight. It can give you access to the data you need to make decisions in your business. Before you invest money or time in any venture, use market research to inform your decision.  

What’s the difference between primary and secondary market research?

Primary research is research you conduct on your own that uses numbers and metrics, and secondary research is research that was done by someone else with a qualitative focus.

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Futures Research

Futures research can be defined as a systematic study of possible future events and circumstances. As a field of study, futures evolved in 1950s. Futures research is different from forecasting in a way that the former has a forward orientation and looks ahead, rather that backwards, and is not as mathematical as forecasting.

It can be argued that highly dynamic nature of the contemporary global marketplace is making is difficult to conduct quality futures studies. For example, it is now evident that COVID-19 global pandemic has compromised findings of many futures studies. This is because no researcher could foresee the occurrence of extent of implications of pandemic on global business and economics.

Disadvantages of futures research are straightforward – no event or situation can be forecasted in an accurate and complete manner. Nevertheless, futures studies may offer a substantial advantage. Specifically, although futures studies are not able to produce totally accurate and complete information about the future, some researched information about the future is better than no information at all when engaging in decision making for long-term perspective.

There is wide range of techniques available that can be used to conduct futures studies. The following table illustrates types and techniques of the most popular futures techniques.

 Futures research methods techniques

Source:  Millenium Project

The nature of decision-making using the results of futures studies can be approached from four alternative perspectives:

1. Values perspective categorises forecasted outcome of events and occurrences as good or bad.  Accordingly, value perspective tends to be highly subjective due to value differences amongst individuals.

2. Rational perspective relates to selection of an alternative amongst decision options guided by the extent to which each alternative meets certain criteria.

3. Judgement heuristics is associated with tendency towards risk-taking and relying on intuition when engaging in decision making.

4. Cognitive science perspective to decision making relies on inductive process of thought and taking decisions as a result of inductive analysis by individuals, as well as, related computer programs.

If you decide to conduct a futures research for your dissertation you will have to choose a specific method from table above. You will need to discuss advantages and disadvantages of the method selected and also provide rationale for the choice.

My e-book,  The Ultimate Guide to Writing a Dissertation in Business Studies: a step by step assistance  contains discussions of theory and application of research philosophy. The e-book also explains all stages of the  research process  starting from the  selection of the research area  to writing personal reflection. Important elements of dissertations such as  research philosophy ,  research approach ,  research design ,  methods of data collection  and  data analysis  are explained in this e-book in simple words.

[1] Source: Millenium Project

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Research Conferences 101: A Complete Guide for Researchers

Importance of Research Conferences in the Academic Community

Benefits of attending national and international research conferences, examples of national and international research conferences, overview of the differences between national and international research conferences, examples of well-known national and international research conferences in various fields, advantages of attending national research conferences, advantages of attending international research conferences, how to select and prepare for research conferences, challenges and solutions in attending research conferences, introduction.

Research conferences play a crucial role in the academic community by serving as platforms for researchers and scholars to exchange knowledge, present their findings, engage in scholarly discussions, and foster collaborations.

These conferences bring together experts, researchers, and practitioners from various disciplines and geographical locations to share their research findings, insights, and experiences. Research conferences can be national or international in scope, with varying levels of scale, audience, and impact.

Research conferences provide a platform for researchers to showcase their work, receive feedback, and disseminate their findings to a wider audience. This helps in advancing the state of knowledge in their field and contributing to the academic discourse.

Research conferences foster networking opportunities among researchers, enabling them to connect with peers, exchange ideas, and establish collaborations. These interactions can lead to new research partnerships, joint projects, and opportunities for future collaborations.

Research conferences promote interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approaches by bringing together researchers from different fields and facilitating cross-disciplinary discussions. This encourages the exchange of ideas, perspectives, and methodologies, leading to innovative research outcomes.

Research conferences offer opportunities for professional development through workshops, tutorials, and panel discussions. These sessions can help researchers enhance their skills, learn about the latest research tools and techniques, and stay updated with emerging trends in their field.

Research conferences can also provide access to funding agencies, job opportunities, and academic resources. Many conferences offer funding opportunities, job fairs, and exhibits where researchers can connect with potential employers, sponsors, and collaborators.

National research conferences allow researchers to connect with peers and experts within their own country or region. These conferences provide a platform for researchers to learn about the latest research happening within their national context, build a professional network within their country, and explore funding and job opportunities.

International research conferences offer a broader perspective by bringing together researchers from different countries and cultures. These conferences provide an opportunity to learn about global research trends, share diverse perspectives, and engage in cross-cultural exchanges.

Attending national and international research conferences can enhance researchers’ visibility and reputation in their field. Presenting research findings or delivering a keynote speech at a prestigious conference can raise researchers’ profile, increase their credibility, and open up new collaboration opportunities.

Research conferences provide a platform for researchers to receive feedback and constructive criticism on their work, helping them refine their research and improve the quality of their findings.

Attending research conferences also allows researchers to stay updated with the latest advancements in their field, learn about new research methodologies and techniques, and broaden their knowledge base.

Research conferences offer opportunities for researchers to engage in scholarly discussions, debates, and dialogues with fellow researchers, leading to a deeper understanding of their field and fostering intellectual growth.

• National research conferences: For example, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting, the American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual Meeting, and the British Psychological Society (BPS) Annual Conference are well-known national conferences in their respective fields, held in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, respectively.
• International research conferences: For example, the Conference on Neural Information Processing Systems (NeurIPS) , the Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (CVPR) , and the International Conference on Learning Representations (ICLR) are internationally recognized conferences in the field of artificial intelligence and machine learning, held at various locations worldwide.

Types of Research Conferences

Research conferences can be categorized into different types based on various criteria, such as disciplinary focus, interdisciplinary nature, regional or international scope, and audience. Understanding the different types of research conferences can help researchers identify the most relevant conferences for their field and research interests.

• Disciplinary Research Conferences: These conferences are focused on a specific discipline or field of study, such as medicine, computer science, psychology, or physics. They bring together researchers, practitioners, and experts from the same field to share research findings, discuss challenges, and exchange ideas related to their specific domain. Examples of disciplinary research conferences include the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting for oncology research , the Conference on Neural Information Processing Systems (NeurIPS) for machine learning and artificial intelligence research, and the American Psychological Association (APA) Annual Convention for psychology research.
• Interdisciplinary Research Conferences: These conferences promote collaboration and exchange of ideas across different disciplines, bringing together researchers from multiple fields to explore common research areas or solve complex problems. Interdisciplinary research conferences encourage cross-disciplinary discussions, foster innovative research, and promote collaborations among researchers with diverse expertise. Examples of interdisciplinary research conferences include the Conference on Complex Systems (CCS) for research on complex systems , the Association for Computational Linguistics (ACL) conference for natural language processing and computational linguistics research , and the International Conference on Sustainable Development (ICSD) for research on sustainability and development.
• Regional Research Conferences: These conferences are organized at a regional level, typically within a specific geographic area or country, and focus on research conducted in that particular region. Regional research conferences provide a platform for researchers to share research findings, discuss regional challenges, and foster collaborations within a specific context. Examples of regional research conferences include the European Conference on Computer Vision (ECCV) for computer vision research in Europe, the African Studies Association (ASA) Annual Meeting for research on Africa , and the Asia-Pacific Conference on Computer-Human Interaction (APCHI) for research on human-computer interaction in the Asia-Pacific region.
• International Research Conferences: These conferences have a global scope and attract researchers, practitioners, and experts from different countries and continents. International research conferences provide a platform for researchers to share their research findings on a global stage, foster cross-cultural exchanges, and promote international collaborations. Examples of international research conferences include the Conference on Neural Information Processing Systems (NeurIPS) , the International Conference on Computer Vision (ICCV) , and the Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI) .

National Research conferences are typically focused on research conducted within a specific country or region, while international research conferences have a global scope and attract researchers from different countries.

National research conferences may have a smaller scale and audience compared to international research conferences, which are often larger and attract a more diverse and international audience.

International research conferences may have a higher level of prestige and visibility in the global academic community, while national research conferences may be more regionally or nationally recognized.

• Medicine: American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting (national) , European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress (international)
• Computer Science: Conference on Neural Information Processing Systems (NeurIPS) ( international), Association for Computational Linguistics (ACL) conference (interdisciplinary)
• Psychology: American Psychological Association (APA) Annual Convention (national), International Congress of Psychology (ICP) (international)
• Education: American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual Meeting (national), World Conference on Educational Sciences (WCES )

National research conferences offer numerous benefits to researchers, providing them with opportunities for learning, networking, presenting research, gaining exposure, and advancing their professional development.

• Access to latest research and cutting-edge findings: National research conferences bring together researchers from various institutions and regions, providing a platform for sharing the latest research findings and advancements in the field. Attending these conferences allows researchers to stay updated with the latest research trends, learn about cutting-edge technologies, and gain insights into the current state of the field.

Example: At the National Conference on Artificial Intelligence (AAAI) , researchers can learn about the latest advancements in artificial intelligence, including new algorithms, techniques, and applications, through keynote speeches, paper presentations, and poster sessions.

• Opportunities for networking and collaboration with researchers in the same field: National research conferences provide ample networking opportunities, allowing researchers to connect with fellow researchers, practitioners, and experts in their field. Networking can lead to potential collaborations, joint research projects, and opportunities for sharing ideas and perspectives with peers in the same research domain.

Example: Networking events, such as coffee breaks, poster sessions, and social gatherings, at the American Sociological Association (ASA) Annual Meeting provide opportunities for researchers to connect with other sociologists, exchange ideas, and explore possibilities for future collaborations.

• Platform for presenting and discussing research findings: National research conferences offer researchers a platform to present their research findings through paper presentations, poster sessions, or oral presentations. Presenting research at conferences allows researchers to receive feedback, engage in discussions, and gain recognition for their work among their peers.

Example: At the Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (CVPR) , researchers can present their latest computer vision research through oral presentations or poster sessions, engage in discussions with other researchers, and receive feedback on their work.

• Exposure to diverse perspectives and research approaches: National research conferences often attract researchers from diverse backgrounds, institutions, and regions, providing an opportunity to learn about different perspectives and research approaches. Exposure to diverse research ideas and approaches can foster creativity, broaden researchers’ understanding of their field, and inspire new research directions.

Example: The Association for Computational Linguistics (ACL) conference brings together researchers from different areas of natural language processing, such as machine translation, sentiment analysis, and speech recognition, providing a platform for cross-disciplinary interactions and exposure to diverse research approaches.

• Possibility of receiving feedback and constructive criticism from experts in the field: National research conferences offer researchers a chance to receive feedback and constructive criticism on their research from experts in the field. This feedback can help researchers improve their research work, refine their ideas, and enhance the quality of their research output.

Example: At the American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting , researchers can present their findings on various areas of chemistry and receive feedback from leading experts in the field, which can further strengthen their research.

• Opportunities for professional development, including workshops, tutorials, and panel discussions: National research conferences often offer workshops, tutorials, panel discussions, and other professional development opportunities for researchers. These activities provide valuable insights, practical tips, and hands-on learning experiences that can enhance researchers’ skills and knowledge in their field.

Example: The American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual Meeting offers workshops on topics such as research methods, data analysis, and academic writing, providing researchers with opportunities for professional development and skill-building.

• Access to funding and job opportunities: National research conferences may also provide access to funding opportunities, such as research grants, fellowships, or awards, which can support researchers’ future research endeavors. Additionally, conferences may serve as a platform for job opportunities, including academic positions, industry collaborations,

International research conferences offer unique advantages to researchers, providing them with opportunities for global exposure, networking, collaboration, and personal growth.

• Increased exposure to global research trends and practices: International research conferences bring together researchers from different countries and regions, providing a platform to learn about global research trends and practices. Attending international conferences allows researchers to gain insights into the latest research advancements and methodologies from around the world, which can broaden their understanding of the field and enhance their research perspective.

Example: The International Conference on Machine Learning (ICML) is a prestigious conference that brings together machine learning researchers from different countries to present their research findings, discuss the latest advancements in the field, and exchange ideas on cutting-edge research trends and practices.

• Opportunities to network with researchers from different countries and cultures: International research conferences provide opportunities to network with researchers from diverse countries and cultures. Networking with international peers allows researchers to build professional connections, exchange ideas, and learn from different perspectives, which can foster international collaborations and partnerships.

Example: The World Congress on Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering is an international conference that brings together researchers, practitioners, and professionals from the field of medical physics and biomedical engineering from around the world, providing opportunities for cross-cultural networking and collaboration.

• Access to diverse research perspectives and methodologies from around the world: International research conferences offer a platform for researchers to gain exposure to diverse research perspectives, methodologies, and approaches from different countries and regions. This exposure can broaden researchers’ understanding of various research practices and stimulate new ideas and approaches in their own research.

Example: The Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI) is an international conference that brings together researchers from the field of human-computer interaction (HCI) from different countries, providing a platform for the exchange of diverse research perspectives and methodologies.

• Potential for international collaboration and partnerships: International research conferences offer opportunities for researchers to initiate or strengthen international collaborations and partnerships. Collaborating with researchers from different countries can lead to joint research projects, shared resources, and diverse perspectives, which can enhance the quality and impact of research.

Example: The International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) is a leading conference in robotics that provides opportunities for researchers to establish international collaborations for joint research projects, technology transfer, and knowledge exchange.

• Exposure to funding and job opportunities in different countries: International research conferences may also provide access to funding opportunities, research grants, fellowships, or job opportunities in different countries. These opportunities can expand researchers’ horizons and open doors to international research funding and job prospects.

Example: The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress is an international conference that brings together researchers, clinicians, and professionals from the field of cardiology, providing opportunities for researchers to explore funding and job opportunities in Europe and beyond.

• Chance to broaden one’s research network and enhance research reputation: Attending international research conferences allows researchers to broaden their research network beyond their home country or region, and establish connections with researchers from different parts of the world. This can enhance researchers’ research reputation and visibility on a global scale, which can be beneficial for career growth and opportunities for collaboration.

Example: The International Conference on Computer Vision (ICCV) is a premier conference in computer vision that attracts researchers from around the world, providing opportunities for researchers to expand their research network and enhance their research reputation on an international level.

• Cultural exchange and personal growth opportunities: International research conferences also provide opportunities for cultural exchange and personal growth. Researchers can learn about different cultures, traditions, and practices, which can broaden their horizons and contribute to their personal growth as individuals and professionals.

Example: For instance, a researcher from the United States attending an international conference in Japan may have the chance to learn about Japanese culture, traditions, and research practices through interactions with local researchers and conference attendees.

Attending research conferences requires careful selection and preparation to make the most of the experience. Here are some factors to consider, tips for submitting abstracts and papers, suggestions for preparing presentations and posters, strategies for effective networking and collaboration, and recommendations for maximizing the benefits of attending research conferences.

• Factors to consider when choosing a research conference to attend:
• Relevance to your research: Choose conferences that are relevant to your research field or topic of interest. Consider the conference’s focus, theme, and scope to ensure that it aligns with your research area.

Example: If you are a researcher in the field of artificial intelligence, you may consider attending conferences such as the Conference on Neural Information Processing Systems (NeurIPS) or the Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (CVPR) .

• Reputation and impact: Consider the reputation and impact of the conference in your research community. Look for conferences that are well-established, have a strong track record of quality research presentations, and attract renowned researchers in the field.

Example: The Association for Computational Linguistics (ACL) conference is a well-established and prestigious conference in the field of natural language processing and computational linguistics, known for its high-quality research presentations and influential research outcomes.

• Location and logistics: Consider the location, dates, and logistics of the conference. Look for conferences that are conveniently located, have reasonable registration fees, and fit well with your schedule and availability.

Example: The International Conference on Computer Vision (ICCV) is held at different locations around the world each year, offering researchers opportunities to attend the conference in different regions and experience diverse cultural settings.

Visit my blog post on Avoiding Predatory Conferences and Journals: A Step by Step Guide for Researchers . This post will help you in avoiding predatory conferences.

• Tips for submitting abstracts and papers to research conferences:
• Follow submission guidelines: Carefully read and follow the submission guidelines of the conference for abstracts, papers, or other types of submissions. Make sure to adhere to the submission deadlines and formatting requirements.

Example: If the conference requires a double-blind review, ensure that your submission does not include any identifying information about the authors to maintain anonymity during the review process.

• Highlight the significance of your research: Clearly state the significance, novelty, and contributions of your research in the abstract or paper. Emphasize why your research is important and relevant to the conference’s theme or scope.

Example: Clearly state the research gap your work addresses, the methodology or approach used, and the potential impact or implications of your findings on the field.

Visit my blog post on Research Paper Abstract: 10 Simple Steps to Make a Big Difference . This post will help you in writing an effective abstract in 10 simple steps.

• Seek feedback from peers or mentors: Seek feedback from your peers or mentors on your abstract or paper before submission. Incorporate their suggestions and comments to improve the quality and clarity of your submission.

Example: Share your abstract or paper with colleagues or mentors in your research field and ask for their feedback on the research significance, clarity, and overall quality of the submission.

• Suggestions for preparing presentations and posters:
• Practice your presentation: Practice your presentation or poster to ensure that you are well-prepared to deliver it confidently and effectively. Time yourself to ensure that you stay within the allocated time for your presentation.

Example: Rehearse your presentation in front of a mirror, or with colleagues, to get feedback on your delivery, pace, and clarity of your message.

• Use visual aids effectively: Use visual aids such as slides or posters to enhance your presentation. Keep them visually appealing, easy to read, and well-organized to convey your message clearly.

Example: Use high-quality images, charts, or diagrams that support your research findings or conclusions, and avoid overcrowding your visual aids with too much text or information.

• Be prepared for questions: Anticipate potential questions that may arise during or after your presentation, and be prepared to answer.

Visit my blog post on 7-Step Method for Creating a Powerful Research Paper Presentation at Conferences . This post will help you in preparing a powerful power point presentation for research conferences.

Attending research conferences may come with various challenges. Here are some common challenges faced by researchers and strategies for overcoming them:

• Language barriers and cultural differences:
• Language barriers: Researchers attending international conferences may face language barriers if the conference is conducted in a language that is not their native language. This can make it difficult to understand presentations, ask questions, or participate in discussions.

Solution: Familiarize yourself with the conference language in advance, and consider brushing up on your language skills. You can also request for presentation slides or materials in advance to review and prepare yourself.

Example: If you are attending a conference in Japan and the conference is conducted in Japanese, you can practice basic Japanese phrases and use translation tools or apps to assist you in understanding the presentations.

• Cultural differences: Researchers attending conferences in different countries or regions may encounter cultural differences in communication styles, norms, and practices. This can affect networking, collaboration, and social interactions at the conference.

Solution: Educate yourself about the cultural norms and practices of the conference location beforehand, and be mindful of cultural differences during interactions with fellow researchers. Respect local customs and traditions, and adapt your communication style accordingly.

Example: If you are attending a conference in China, you may need to be aware of hierarchical communication styles and the importance of face-saving, and adjust your communication approach accordingly.

• Travel logistics, time, and budget management:
• Travel logistics: Attending national or international conferences may require travel arrangements, such as booking flights, accommodation, and transportation, which can be time-consuming and challenging to manage.

Solution: Plan your travel logistics well in advance, and make sure to account for factors such as visa requirements, transportation options, accommodation availability, and conference registration deadlines. Utilize online tools and resources to compare prices and options to optimize your travel arrangements.

Example: If you are attending a conference in Europe, you may need to apply for a Schengen visa, book flights early to secure better rates, and arrange for local transportation options such as trains or buses.

• Time and budget management: Attending conferences can be time-consuming and costly, requiring researchers to balance their research commitments, budget limitations, and personal or professional obligations.

Solution: Plan your time and budget wisely, considering the conference dates, travel costs, conference registration fees, and other expenses. Seek funding opportunities such as grants, scholarships, or travel awards to support your attendance.

Example: Create a budget plan that includes estimated costs for conference registration, travel, accommodation, meals, and other expenses. Look for funding opportunities offered by the conference, your institution, or external sources to help cover the costs.

• Coping with conference anxiety and stress:
• Conference anxiety: Researchers may experience anxiety or stress related to presenting their research, networking with peers, or navigating the conference environment, which can affect their overall conference experience.

Solution: Prepare well in advance by practicing your presentation, researching the conference agenda, and familiarizing yourself with the conference venue. Take breaks, engage in self-care activities, and seek support from colleagues or mentors to manage anxiety or stress.

Example: Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or exercise to manage conference anxiety. Create a schedule that includes time for breaks, meals, and self-care activities to help you stay balanced during the conference.

• Diversity, inclusion, and accessibility
• Issues related to diversity, inclusion, and accessibility may arise at research conferences, such as lack of representation, discrimination, or accessibility barriers for individuals with disabilities.

Solution: Promote diversity and inclusivity in your research, interactions, and discussions at conferences. Advocate for accessibility measures such as captioning, sign language etc.

Attending national and international research conferences can provide numerous benefits for researchers and research scholars. These conferences offer opportunities to access the latest research and cutting-edge findings, network and collaborate with peers in the same field, present and discuss research findings, and gain exposure to diverse perspectives and research approaches.

Additionally, research conferences can provide opportunities for professional development through workshops, tutorials, and panel discussions, as well as access to funding and job opportunities.

It is encouraged for researchers and research scholars to actively participate in research conferences for their professional growth and advancement. By attending conferences, researchers can expand their knowledge, broaden their research networks, enhance their research reputation, and stay updated with global research trends and practices.

Conferences also provide a platform for researchers to showcase their research, receive feedback and constructive criticism from experts in the field, and build collaborations and partnerships with researchers from different countries and cultures.

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coming up; about to take place, appear, or be presented: the upcoming spring fashions.

Origin of upcoming

Other words for upcoming, words nearby upcoming.

• up close and personal

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use upcoming in a sentence

Brady’s upcoming appearance in a 10th Super Bowl has dredged, amplified and jostled all those conflicted feelings anew.

Dumpling season is around the corner with the upcoming Lunar New Year, but the pandemic has postponed my plans to return home to California.

Annapurna is bringing Hollywood actors to other games, too, like the upcoming “12 Minutes,” which features Willem Dafoe, Daisy Ridley and James McAvoy.

The Academy of Country Music said he will not be eligible for its upcoming awards show.

Even so, at least some of Detroit’s five upcoming first-round picks should be free to spend on players to support that player, too.

The only repercussions Iraqi has faced are outside of Egypt, as she lost her place in an upcoming Swiss Film Festival, he added.

In any case, I welcome the conversation as part of the review of the upcoming slate that we're doing tomorrow.

Pratt, of course, just exploded with Guardians of the Galaxy and the upcoming lead in Jurassic World.

I am not a fan of spoilers, if it were up to me, I would lie like a dog about every upcoming issue.

He is currently working with Vans for an upcoming collaboration.

Alex's upcoming fate would even be held explicable if seen through this context.

Seems hed been talking wild about the upcoming presidential election and had sworn hed nip the draft-Cadigan movement in the bud.

He pressed the button for the elevator; but before the upcoming car reached his floor he decided not to descend.

Frank pushed on, his eyes on the lookout for the upcoming of the drowning lad.

Forrester stepped back, grabbed the upcoming foot, and stood straight, lifting the foot and levering it into the air.

British Dictionary definitions for upcoming

/ ( ˌʌpˈkʌmɪŋ ) /

coming soon; forthcoming

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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research noun 1

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What does the noun research mean?

There are seven meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun research , three of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

How common is the noun research ?

How is the noun research pronounced, british english, u.s. english, where does the noun research come from.

Earliest known use

The earliest known use of the noun research is in the late 1500s.

OED's earliest evidence for research is from 1577, in ‘F. de L'Isle’'s Legendarie .

research is apparently formed within English, by derivation; modelled on a French lexical item.

Etymons: re- prefix , search n.

Nearby entries

• rescuing, adj. 1574–
• resculpt, v. 1926–
• resculpting, n. 1940–
• rescussee, n. 1652–1823
• rescusser, n. 1632–1704
• rese, n. Old English–1600
• rese, v.¹ Old English–1450
• rese, v.² Old English–1582
• reseal, v. 1624–
• resealable, adj. 1926–
• research, n.¹ 1577–
• re-search, n.² 1605–
• research, v.¹ 1588–
• re-search, v.² 1708–
• researchable, adj. 1927–
• research and development, n. 1892–
• researched, adj. 1636–
• researcher, n. 1615–
• researchful, adj. a1834–
• research hospital, n. 1900–
• researching, n. 1611–

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Meaning & use

Pronunciation, compounds & derived words, entry history for research, n.¹.

research, n.¹ was revised in March 2010.

research, n.¹ was last modified in September 2023.

oed.com is a living text, updated every three months. Modifications may include:

• further revisions to definitions, pronunciation, etymology, headwords, variant spellings, quotations, and dates;
• new senses, phrases, and quotations.

Revisions and additions of this kind were last incorporated into research, n.¹ in September 2023.

Earlier versions of this entry were published in:

OED First Edition (1906)

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OED Second Edition (1989)

• View research, n.¹ in OED Second Edition

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How Do Economists Determine Whether the Economy Is in a   Recession?

What is a recession? While some maintain that two consecutive quarters of falling real GDP constitute a recession, that is neither the official definition nor the way economists evaluate the state of the business cycle. Instead, both official determinations of recessions and economists’ assessment of economic activity are based on a holistic look at the data—including the labor market, consumer and business spending, industrial production, and incomes. Based on these data, it is unlikely that the decline in GDP in the first quarter of this year—even if followed by another GDP decline in the second quarter—indicates a recession.

The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) Business Cycle Dating Committee —the official recession scorekeeper—defines a recession as “a significant decline in economic activity that is spread across the economy and that lasts more than a few months.” The variables the committee typically tracks include real personal income minus government transfers, employment, various forms of real consumer spending, and industrial production. Notably, there are no fixed rules or thresholds that trigger a determination of decline, although the committee does note that in recent decades, they have given more weight to real personal income less transfers and payroll employment.

Also, because the committee depends on government statistics that are reported at various lags, it cannot officially designate a recession until after it starts. [1] So how might the NBER committee assess the health of the economy? 

Figure 1 shows the trend in four of the NBER committee’s recession-indicator variables—real income minus transfers, real spending, industrial production, and employment—relative to their values in April 2020 (the trough of the last recession, and thus, the month before the current expansion began). All of these indicators have exhibited strong growth in the U.S. economy since the start of the pandemic, and have continued to expand through the first half of this year. And while real income net of transfers has been flat in recent months, industrial production, employment, and real spending have grown this year.  The committee does not directly consider inflation; however, it is embedded in the real income and spending variables it tracks, including those plotted in Figure 1. Those data show that while inflation is highly elevated, real spending is still growing, powered by one of the strongest labor markets on record and an elevated stock of household savings.

The fact that the NBER committee looks for a “significant decline” in activity that is broad-based puts this year’s 1.6 percent rate contraction in first quarter real GDP into context. Far from being a broad contraction, the negative estimate of the growth rate was a function of inventories—one of the noisiest components of GDP growth [2] —and net exports, in part reflecting our economic strength relative to that of our trading partners, as well as less snarled global supply chains. Private domestic final demand—consumer spending and fixed investment (which together make up over 80 percent of nominal GDP)—grew at a 3.0 percent real annualized rate in the first quarter, demonstrating solid, above-trend growth. And payroll employment grew at an even stronger 4.7 percent annualized rate, followed by 3.4 percent in Q2. In fact, the 1.1 million jobs created in the second quarter—an average of around 375,000 jobs per month—is more than three times more jobs created than in any three-month period leading up to a recession.

Finally, although the unemployment rate is not on the committee’s list, the fact that it has held at a historically low 3.6 percent in the past four months also has bearing on the recession question. A widely cited indicator of recessions (the “Sahm rule” named after economist Claudia Sahm) maintains that a recession is likely underway when the three-month moving average of the unemployment rate rises by at least half a percentage point (50 basis points) relative to its lowest point in the previous 12 months. The fact that the Sahm indicator is 0, far below its 50 basis-point threshold, provides yet another indication that the economic expansion is ongoing.

Recession probabilities are never zero, but trends in the data through the first half of this year used to determine a recession are not indicating a downturn.

Looking ahead, we know that the U.S., along with the rest of the global economy, faces significant headwinds—and little relevant data are yet available on the third quarter (2022Q3). At the same time, there is a good chance that the strength of the labor market and of consumer balance sheets help the economy transition from the rapid growth of the last year to steadier and more stable growth. But, whatever path the economy takes, CEA will continue to carefully track these indicators to assess the state of the economic cycle.

[1] In fact, when recessions are short-lived, the committee typically announces them after they are over.

[2] Inventories in the GDP accounts reflect not a level change, as for example, with consumer spending, but a change in a change, i.e., whether inventories were growing or shrinking faster or slower than the previous quarter. In fact, the level of inventories rose in 2022 Q1, just not as fast as in the previous quarter.

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Meaning of upcoming – Learner’s Dictionary

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(Definition of upcoming from the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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multitasking

a person's or product's ability to do more than one thing at a time

Alike and analogous (Talking about similarities, Part 1)

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