Marketing Research and Insight Glossary

Definitions, common uses and explanations of 1,500+ key market research terms and phrases.

What is In-house research?

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In-house research Definition

Research that is conducted by the staff in a client company (rather than by an outside marketing research vendor).

In-house research refers to marketing research that is conducted internally by a company’s own team rather than being outsourced to an external agency or consultant. This includes the design, execution, analysis and reporting of research projects using internal resources.

What are key aspects of in-house research?

  • Full internal ownership of research process.
  • Alignment with business priorities and goals.
  • Faster turnaround times.
  • Deeper contextual understanding of brand and audience.
  • Use of internal data sources and tools.
  • Ability to conduct continuous or iterative research.

Why is in-house research important in market research?

In-house research enables companies to react quickly to business needs, build institutional knowledge and retain control over sensitive information. It also allows for greater integration of research insights into decision-making processes across departments.

Who relies on in-house research in the insights industry?

  • Large corporations with dedicated insights or analytics teams.
  • Tech companies conducting UX or product research.
  • Retailers and financial services firms with rich internal data.
  • Brands looking to maintain confidentiality or competitive advantage.

How do market researchers use in-house research?

Market researchers use in-house research to develop and test hypotheses, track customer satisfaction, assess brand health, evaluate new product ideas and monitor market trends. They typically use internal tools, proprietary panels and collaboration with stakeholders across marketing, product and leadership teams.