Consumer Research methods

Now, I should share about research methods in consumer behavior as I believe it is the most complex topic for any marketer to discuss about. Consumer Market research is often needed to ensure that we produce what customers really want and not what we think they want. There are two categories of research methods - primary and secondary.
Primary research is the research that you design and conduct yourself. For example, you may need to find out whether consumers would prefer that your soft drinks be sweater or tarter. Secondary research, in contrast, involves using information that others have already put together. For example, if you are thinking about starting a business making clothes for tall people, you don’t need to question people about how tall they are to find out how many tall people exist. That information would have already been published by the Government. Research will often help us reduce risks associated with a new product, but it cannot take the risk away entirely. It is also important to ascertain whether the research has been complete.
For example, Coca Cola did a great deal of research prior to releasing the New Coke, and consumers seemed to prefer the taste. However, consumers were not prepared to have this drink replace the traditional Coke.