(marketing) The systematic collection and evaluation of data regarding customers' preferences for actual and potential products and services.

(architecture) A field of research and analysis in architecture that uses studies and details from nature or other sources to produce or create a new structure. It is used in design and architecture to imitate structures and improve them giving them a certain amount of art feeling. Structural research can be also called structural art or structural design.

(politics) Negative information retrieved about a candidate's opponent in an election for use in campaigning.

Research performed without regard to practical applications.

Research performed through the summary, collation or synthesis of the results of existing research.

Research performed using the historical method.

Research that involves the collection of previously ungathered data, rather than the analysis of that which is already available.

Research performed using the scientific method.

The systematic scientific investigation of quantitative properties and phenomena and their relationships, using statistical methods.

(social sciences, marketing) A set of research techniques in which data is obtained from a relatively small group of respondents and not analyzed with statistical techniques.