In order to excel, market researchers today need to have knowledge beyond that provided by our industry peers, associations and publications. It is a well-rounded understanding from different perspectives that leads to the kind of creative thinking and risk-taking that is necessary in the face of rapid technology-induced changes in society.
In that spirit, let me recommend 5 outstanding websites to bookmark in your browser. These sites publish a wealth of high-quality content which will help you approach your craft with a fresh perspective and unique insight.
HBR publishes a large number of blogs on lots of topics. Their coverage of big data is particularly strong. This site requires free registration.
Sample Link: Use Big Data to Predict Your Customers’ Behaviors
This publication is focused on web design and graphic design - arenas where many market researchers are lacking. They also have a lot of articles about user experience – essential when considering a respondent survey experience.
Sample Link: Finger-Friendly Design: Ideal Mobile Touchscreen Target Sizes
This site has great coverage of technology and business. I give it the advantage over Mashable and TechCrunch because it has similar depth but also the breadth of covering other, non-technology topics.
Sample Link: 18 Hot Mobile Startups You Need to Watch
Mark Blumenthal provides outstanding depth of coverage of survey methodology while also covering the day-to-day horse race. I nearly always learn something when I read his posts.
Sample Link: Is the Gallup Poll Favoring Mitt Romney By Undersampling Minority Voters?
For my buck there is no better publication than the New Yorker at taking a seemingly random topic, going extremely deep, and making you interested in something you never thought you’d be interested in. Bonus: the great Malcolm Gladwell is a regular New Yorker writer.
Sample Link: Five Questions for Daniel H. Pink
About Dana Stanley
