Market research is about gathering information about customers, competition, market and its trends. Discussions, surveys and questionnaires are some of the tools for market research. Many people confuse market research and marketing research. Market research is simply a research into a specific market. It is a very narrow concept. Marketing research is much broader. It not only includes 'market' research, but also areas such as research into new products, or modes of distribution such as via the Internet. (Marketing teacher)