market-research
UK[ˈmɑːkɪt rɪˌsɜːtʃ]US[ˈmɑːrkɪt rɪˌsɜːrtʃ]
n
The activity of collecting and studying information about what people want, need, and buy, or about the opinions and habits of potential customers.
Morpheme Breakdown
market
research
market
place of trade
research
systematic investigation
Etymology
The compound noun 'market-research' is a modern formation combining two established words to describe a specific commercial activity. 'Market' originates from the Latin mercatus, relating to trade and commerce, a concept central to economic exchange. 'Research' derives from the French recherche, implying a diligent, repeated search for knowledge. When combined in the early 20th century, these morphemes logically create the concept of a systematic investigation focused specifically on the dynamics of commercial markets, consumer behavior, and product potential.
Analysis
Structure: market (place of trade) + research (systematic investigation)
market: From Latin mercatus (trade, market), via Old North French market. Functions as a noun used attributively to specify the domain of the research.
research: From Middle French recerche, from re- (again) + cerchier (to search). Functions as the core noun indicating a systematic investigative activity.
Examples
The company conducted extensive market-research before launching the new product.
Her job in market-research involves analyzing consumer trends and survey data.
Good market-research is essential for understanding your target audience.