IGCSE Travel and Tourism Practice Exam

Which research method is often referred to as desk research?

1. Primary market research

2. Quantitative research

3. Secondary market research

4. Field research

The correct answer is: Secondary market research

The term "desk research" is commonly used to describe secondary market research. This method involves gathering existing data from various sources rather than collecting new data firsthand. Secondary research includes analyzing information that has already been compiled, such as reports, academic papers, statistical databases, and other types of published data. Using secondary market research allows researchers to leverage previously collected information to inform their decisions or analyses, making it a time-efficient and cost-effective approach. This method is especially useful in travel and tourism when seeking insights about market trends, customer demographics, and competitive analysis. Unlike primary research, which requires direct engagement with subjects or conducting surveys, desk research consolidates and synthesizes reliable data obtained from external sources, providing a broad overview of topics relevant to the field.