Research Proposal: Initiating Research (Coursera)

Research Proposal: Initiating Research (Coursera)

Market Research is a growing and important field that is used in many industries around the world. Given all the data that is collected whether by organizations, industries, social media, governments, etc., it’s important that someone can review and sift through all the noise to provide valuable insights. And that’s where you come in as a market researcher. This course will only scratch the surface and provide you a foundational understanding of this field.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

In this course, you will be able to define market research and identify some tools used in the industry. You will be able to discuss the importance of secondary and internal research in terms of the planning process. You will be able to define what primary research is and identify the various ways to conduct primary research. You will be able to focus on an actual research plan or proposal for your peer review project. You will be able to compose a response to a request for a proposal or research plan and be able to address the various components of the proposal and package it in a professional manner.
Course 1 of 4 in the Market Research Specialization

Syllabus

WEEK 1
Getting Started and Introduction to Market Research
In this module, you will be able to define what market research is and identify the tools that are used. You will be able to discuss the various motivations behind a research inquiry and what goes into a market research request. You will define the services, the roles and the qualities of a market researcher. You will also be able to identify constraints to help you ask the right questions. Finally, you will be able to respond to a market research proposal.

WEEK 2
Secondary and Internal Research
In this module, you will be able to recognize the importance of secondary and internal research in the planning process. You will be able to assess the value and credibility of the secondary and internal data you have at your disposal. You will also be able to identify a starting point should a new client approach you. You will recognize the pros and cons of each method of research. And you will be able to budget appropriately and decide what type of market researcher you need or want to be for a given project.

WEEK 3
Primary Research Introduction
In this module, you will be able to discuss various primary research methods for collecting data. You will be able to define what primary research is and be able to choose the appropriate method for your proposal. You will be able to consider various sampling and survey methods and even the less used observational method.

WEEK 4
Research Plan or Proposal
In this module, you will be able to write a research proposal for a client. You will be able to recognize and take action when a proposal has been requested. You will be able to collect and compose the necessary proposal requirements and be able to professionally package your proposal. You will be able to apply strategies on how to follow-up with a client about your proposal and be able to take action when you are awarded the bid.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Effective Marketing in the Global Marketplace (Coursera) Coursera
Coursera Instructor Network

Effective Marketing in the Global Marketplace (Coursera)

In today's global marketplace, successful marketing hinges on the ability to connect with diverse audiences. This comprehensive course on Marketing introduces learners to core concepts and best practices for defining a target audience, crafting a strong value proposition, building brand identity, and implementing various marketing strategies. Whether you're a marketing professional or a business owner, this course equips you with the tools to engage audiences effectively and drive business growth.

Nov 16th 2026
1 Week
Advanced Competitive Strategy (Coursera) Coursera
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

Advanced Competitive Strategy (Coursera)

In Advanced Competitive Strategy, we will look at how companies can build up and maintain their customer base by increasing switching costs and facilitating strategic customer lock-ins. We will find out how firms can increase their profits by pursuing suitable price discrimination and product differentiation strategies.

Nov 16th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Ethics, Technology and Engineering (Coursera) Coursera
Eindhoven University of Technology

Ethics, Technology and Engineering (Coursera)

There is an increasing attention to ethics in engineering practice. Engineers are supposed not only to carry out their work competently and skilfully, but also to be aware of the broader ethical and social implications of engineering and to be able to reflect on these. According to the Engineering Criteria 2000 of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) in the US, engineers must have “an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility” and should "understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context.”

Nov 23rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Marketing analytics: Know your customers (Coursera) Coursera
Macquarie University

Marketing analytics: Know your customers (Coursera)

Are your customers at the centre of your organisation’s strategy? An understanding of marketing analytics, the core component of this course, is crucial to serving your customers well. Through structured learning activities (video lectures, quizzes, discussion prompts, industry interviews and written assessments) this course will teach you what to measure – and how – in order to maximise customer value. Rapid advancements in technology mean more powerful data and analytics can inform marketing decisions.

Nov 16th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Researcher Management and Leadership Training (Coursera) Coursera
University of Colorado System

Researcher Management and Leadership Training (Coursera)

This course is for early career researchers and mentors who believe that modern scientific careers require management skills and want to be research leaders. This curriculum gives you skills to effectively implement funded projects, thereby enhancing your career success. Research leaders take on a number of new roles, rights, and responsibilities--as scientific leaders, financial administrators, managers, and mentors. In this course, we explain how to optimize the people, teams, projects, and finances for which you are responsible.

Nov 23rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Emprendiendo en STEM (Coursera) Coursera
Universidad Austral

Emprendiendo en STEM (Coursera)

El objetivo de este curso es inspirar a las mujeres que están en el mundo de la ciencia, la tecnología, la ingeniería y las matemáticas (STEM, siglas en inglés) a descubrir su espíritu emprendedor y adquirir herramientas prácticas para la creación y el crecimiento de compañías. Se propone hacerlo a través de 6 módulos de formación en las habilidades básicas de un emprendedor para inspirarse y animarse.

Nov 23rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Social Norms, Social Change I (Coursera) Coursera
University of Pennsylvania

Social Norms, Social Change I (Coursera)

This is a course on social norms, the rules that glue societies together. It teaches how to diagnose social norms, and how to distinguish them from other social constructs, like customs or conventions. These distinctions are crucial for effective policy interventions aimed to create new, beneficial norms or eliminate harmful ones. The course teaches how to measure social norms and the expectations that support them, and how to decide whether they cause specific behaviors.

Nov 23rd 2026
4 Weeks
Introduction to UX Design MasterTrack Certificate Program (Coursera) Coursera
University of Minnesota

Introduction to UX Design MasterTrack Certificate Program (Coursera)

User experience is a highly in-demand field which requires a holistic understanding of the design process. This course is a "sample" of the UX Design MasterTrack certificate program. You will have the opportunities to explore core topics in UX including Ethics and Research, User Research, User Testing, and Visual Literacy as four modules.

Nov 23rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content (Coursera) Coursera
University of Pennsylvania

Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content (Coursera)

Ever wondered why some things become popular, and other don't? Why some products becomes hits while others flop? Why some ideas take off while others languish? What are the key ideas behind viral marketing? This course explains how things catch on and helps you apply these ideas to be more effective at marketing your ideas, brands, or products. You'll learn how to make ideas stick, how to increase your influence, how to generate more word of mouth, and how to use the power of social networks to spread information and influence.

Nov 9th 2026
4 Weeks
New Technologies for Business Leaders (Coursera) Coursera
Rutgers University

New Technologies for Business Leaders (Coursera)

This introductory course is developed for high-level business people (and those on their way) who want a broad understanding of new Information Technologies and understand their potential for business functions (e.g. marketing, supply change management, finance). This is not a course for people looking for guidance on how to become a deep technical expert or implement these technologies.

Nov 23rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Gamification (Coursera) Coursera
University of Pennsylvania

Gamification (Coursera)

Gamification is the application of game elements and digital game design techniques to non-game problems, such as business and social impact challenges. This course will teach you the mechanisms of gamification, why it has such tremendous potential, and how to use it effectively.

Nov 23rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Media ethics & governance (Coursera) Coursera
University of Amsterdam

Media ethics & governance (Coursera)

This course explores some of the basic theories, models and concepts in the field of media ethics. We will introduce influential ethical theories and perspectives, explore changing societal demands and expectations of media creation and media use, and we will elaborate on existing ethical norms for media professionals. After following this course, you will be able to reflect on ethical dilemmas and develop a well-substantiated argumentation for ethical decision making in a variety of media-related contexts.

Nov 16th 2026
4 Weeks