Health and Disability Market Research Explained
Author: Disabled World (DW)
Updated/Revised Date: 2 Nov 2026
Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - About This Section - FAQs - Publications - Subtopics
Synopsis
An overview of health, medical, and disability market research, explaining what it is, the difference between primary and secondary data, and how each is gathered.
At a Glance
- 1 - Primary information is research you compile yourself or hire someone to gather on your behalf.
- 2 - Market research and marketing research differ, as one studies markets while the other studies marketing processes.
- 3 - Common primary research methods include interviews, observation, focus groups, surveys and questionnaires, and field experiments.
- 4 - Secondary research draws on existing sources such as government reports, trade associations, and company records, making it faster and often less costly.
Topic Definition
- Market Research
Market research is any organized effort to gather information about target markets or customers, helping a company or individual identify and analyze market need, market size, and competition. It is closely related to marketing research, but the two differ in focus: market research concerns itself with markets, while marketing research looks specifically at marketing processes. The practice allows businesses to learn who their target audience is and how consumers may respond to a product or service before it reaches the public. Market research generally relies on two types of data - primary information, which is gathered firsthand through methods such as interviews, surveys, focus groups, and field trials, and secondary information, which draws on existing material already compiled by government agencies, trade associations, media sources, and other organizations.
Overview
What is Market Research?
Market research is defined as any organized effort to gather information about target markets or customers. The term is commonly interchanged with marketing research; however, marketing research is concerned specifically about marketing processes, while market research is concerned specifically with markets. Market research provides important information to identify and analyze the market need, market size and competition.
Market research allows a company, or individuals, to discover who their target market is - and what consumers may think about a product or service before it becomes available, or released, to the public.
Market research is the process of gathering information which will make you more aware of how the people you hope to sell to will react to your current or potential products or services.
Market Research Involves Two Types of Data
Primary Information:
Research you compile yourself or hire someone to gather for you. Primary market research is a great way to gather information about your small business product or service idea. The vast majority of primary market research methods fit into one of these categories:
- Interviews
- Observation
- Focus Groups
- Surveys and Questionnaires
- Experiments and field trials
Secondary Information:
This type of research is already compiled and organized, such as reports and studies by government agencies, trade associations or other businesses within your industry.
Secondary market research uses outside information assembled by government agencies, industry and trade associations, labor unions, media sources, chambers of commerce, and so on. It is normally less time-consuming than primary research, and can be less expensive. Secondary market research draws on existing resources like pamphlets, newsletters, trade publications, company records, magazines, newspapers, surveys, research studies and books and applies the information to answer the question at hand. Secondary market research sources mainly include:
- Public Sources
- Commercial Sources
- Educational Institutions
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is market research important for a business?
Market research helps a business understand customer needs, reduce risk before launching a product or service, and make better informed decisions about pricing, demand, and competition.
What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative research?
Qualitative research explores opinions and motivations through methods such as interviews and focus groups, while quantitative research gathers measurable numerical data through tools such as surveys and structured questionnaires.
When should a business use primary rather than secondary research?
Primary research suits questions that existing sources cannot answer and requires gathering fresh data directly, while secondary research is useful for background context and is generally faster and less costly.
How much does market research typically cost?
Costs vary widely depending on scope and method, since secondary research can rely on low cost existing materials while primary research such as surveys or focus groups can require larger budgets and time.
What makes market research reliable?
Reliable research depends on a clear question, an appropriate and representative sample, sound data collection methods, and careful analysis that avoids bias in how information is gathered and interpreted.
Who conducts health and disability market research?
This research is carried out by a mix of companies, government agencies, trade associations, academic institutions, and specialized research firms that study health, medical, and disability related markets.
How is market research used in the disability sector?
In the disability sector it helps identify unmet needs, guide the design of accessible products and services, and inform decisions about demand, pricing, and how offerings reach the people who need them.
How can market research include people with disabilities?
Use accessible survey tools that work with screen readers, offer several ways to respond, such as phone or video, and recruit participants with a range of disabilities. Paying participants fairly and testing the survey with disabled users first also improves results.
Curated and edited by Ian C. Langtree, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Disabled World. This section is maintained by the Disabled World editorial team. Last updated: