Research Guides: Marketing: Product Research

What is product research?

Product research is the identification of a need or want and the characteristic of the good or service that will satisfy it.

Make observations online and on TV and explore books, magazine advertisements and newspaper articles to identify needs or wants and see what is available on the market.

Consult or create your own customer surveys and polls for further insight.

Websites

Consumer Price Index
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a measure of the average change over time in the prices paid by urban consumers for a market basket of consumer goods and services. Average price data for select utility, automotive fuel and food items are also available.
MacRae's Bluebook
Search for industrial suppliers of manufacturing products and services.
ThomasNet.com
Formerly the Thomas Register, this is a platform for supplier discovery and product sourcing.
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Select Search trademarks to locate trademarks.

Customer Surveys and Polls

Pew Research Center
A nonpartisan fact tank that conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, content analysis and other data-driven social science research. Follow key trends or download data sets.
PollingReport.com
Offers nonpartisan, current polling reports on politics and government, the economy and finance, current affairs, sports, entertainment and health from a wide variety of sources.
Public Agenda Reports and Surveys
In-depth analyses and opinion studies on a wide variety of topics, including the economy, education, health care and community engagement.

Create Your Own

Google Forms
Collect and organize with Google Forms for free.
Jotform
Create online forms and surveys. Free accounts available with up to 5 forms.
SurveyMonkey
Conduct and analyze surveys. Free accounts available with up to 10 questions per survey.

Databases

These databases can be used remotely with an active Austin Public Library Card and password or by using a public computer or connecting a personal device to Library WiFi at any APL location.

Consumer Reports
Access articles, product reviews and the annual Buying Guide.
NewsBank
Search and view articles from over 10,000 national, international and Texas newspapers, including the Austin American-Statesman, the Austin Monitor and the Houston Chronicle.
Brands and Their Companies
Lists manufacturers and distributors from small businesses to large corporations, from both the public and private sectors.

Books

Build by Tony Fadell
Shares stories about leadership, design, startups, Apple, Google, decision-making, mentorship, failure and success.
How We Make Stuff Now: Turn Ideas into Products That Build Successful Businesses by Jules Pieri
This step-by-step DIY guide shows entrepreneurs how to create and launch new products, package and market to consumers and build a thriving business.
Inspired by Marty Cagan
Provides readers with a master class in how to structure and staff a vibrant and successful product organization and how to discover and deliver technology products that your customers will love and that will work for your business.
UX Research by Brad Nunnally and David Farkas
Learn how to perform both quantitative and qualitative UX research in a practical manner without having to become a full-fledged researcher. Ideal for product designers both in agency and in-house environments.
Branding That Means Business by Johnson, Matt A.
How to Build Enduring Bonds Between Brands, Consumers and Markets
Launching and Building a Brand for Dummies by Amy Will
A start-to-finish guide to creating a strong brand DNA for your business, creating a successful launch strategy and building and scaling your brand.
The Voltage Effect by John A. List
A leading economist answers one of today's trickiest questions: Why do some great ideas make it big while others fail to take off?