7 Top Research Companies You Should Know About

If you are looking for reliable and high-quality research services, you might be overwhelmed by the number of options available. How do you choose the best research company for your needs? How do you evaluate their credibility, expertise and reputation?

KEY TAKEAWAYS

There are many top research companies that offer high-quality research services in various domains.

Hiring a research company can help you gain valuable insights that can support your business growth and success.

Choosing the best research company for your project requires careful consideration of your objectives, budget, expectations, and the research company’s credentials, quality, and reliability.

Hiring a research company can pose some challenges, such as finding, vetting, managing, and paying them.

You can also use a platform like ResearchGate that connects you with freelance researchers who can provide you with customized research services at affordable prices.

In this article, we will introduce you to seven top research companies that have proven track records of delivering excellent results for their clients. Whether you need market research, consumer insights, data analysis, or any other type of research, these companies can help you achieve your goals.

Here are the seven top research companies you should know about:

1. Nielsen:

Nielsen is a global leader in measurement and data analytics, providing insights into what consumers watch, listen to, buy and do. Nielsen helps businesses understand their markets, audiences and customers, and optimize their strategies accordingly. Nielsen offers a wide range of research services, including media measurement, consumer panels, retail measurement, e-commerce tracking, innovation testing, brand health tracking, and more.

2. Ipsos:

Ipsos is one of the largest and most respected market research firms in the world, with operations in over 90 countries. Ipsos specializes in delivering actionable insights that help clients make better decisions and drive growth. Ipsos offers research services in various domains, such as public affairs, media and technology, health and wellness, customer experience, advertising and brand research, social intelligence analytics, and more.

3. Kantar:

Kantar is a leading data, insights and consulting company that helps clients understand people and inspire growth. Kantar combines human understanding with advanced analytics to generate evidence-based insights that drive business success. Kantar offers research services in areas such as brand strategy, innovation, customer experience, media effectiveness, reputation management, social impact, and more.

4. Gartner:

Gartner is a trusted advisor and an objective resource for more than 15,000 organizations in over 100 countries. Gartner provides research and advisory services that help clients achieve their mission-critical priorities and build the successful organizations of tomorrow. Gartner offers research services in domains such as IT, marketing, sales, finance, human resources, legal and compliance, supply chain, and more.

5. Forrester:

Forrester is a leading research and advisory firm that helps clients grow their businesses in a digital world. Forrester provides insights and guidance on how to leverage technology to create superior customer experiences, drive growth, and transform their organizations. Forrester offers research services in areas such as customer experience, digital transformation, innovation, marketing and sales effectiveness, cybersecurity, privacy and trust, and more.

6. McKinsey & Company:

McKinsey & Company is a global management consulting firm that serves leading businesses, governments, non-governmental organizations, and not-for-profits. McKinsey helps clients solve their most complex challenges and achieve lasting impact. McKinsey offers research services in fields such as strategy, operations, finance, organization, marketing, sustainability, social sector, and more.

7. BCG:

BCG is a global management consulting firm that partners with clients from the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors to identify their highest-value opportunities, address their most critical challenges, and transform their enterprises. BCG offers research services in topics such as growth, innovation, digital, people, social impact, and more.

These are some of the top research companies that can help you with your research needs. Of course, there are many other reputable and professional research companies out there, so you should do your own due diligence before hiring one.

However, if you want to save time and money, you can also use a platform like ResearchGate that connects you with thousands of experts who can provide you with high-quality research services at affordable prices.

ResearchGate is a leading online marketplace for research services that connects clients with researchers from various fields and disciplines. ResearchGate allows you to post your project requirements, receive proposals from qualified researchers,
compare bids and reviews and choose the best researcher for your project.

With ResearchGate, you can access the expertise and experience of top researchers from around the world without having to deal with the hassle of finding, vetting, and managing them.

Whether you need a literature review, a data analysis, a survey design, a report writing, or any other type of research service, ResearchGate can help you find the right researcher for your project.

TIP

One of the most important tips for hiring a research company is to define your research objectives clearly and communicate them effectively to the research company. This will help you avoid misunderstandings, confusion, and disappointment, and ensure that you get the results that you need and expect.

Top Research Companies: A Global Industry Overview

The market research industry is a vital source of information and insights for businesses, governments, and consumers. Market research helps to identify opportunities, trends, challenges, and risks in various sectors and markets. According to Statista, the global revenue of the market research industry reached almost 120 billion U.S. dollars in 2021, over half of which came from the United States.

In this report, we will look at some of the leading market research companies worldwide by global research revenue, as well as the factors that affect the demand for their services. We will also highlight some of the key developments and innovations in the market research industry.

Leading Market Research Companies by Global Research Revenue

The following table shows the top 10 market research companies worldwide by global research revenue in 2021, based on data from Statista.

Ranking	Company	Global Research Revenue (in billion U.S. dollars)
1	IQVIA	5.2
2	Gartner	4.75
3	NielsenIQ	3.6
4	Kantar	3.3
5	Ipsos	2.5
6	Morgan Stanley Research	2.4
7	IHS Markit	2.11
8	GfK	1.67
9	CoStar Group	1.39
10	IRI	1.027

As we can see, IQVIA was the leading market research company in terms of global research revenue in 2021, generating approximately 5.2 billion U.S. dollars. IQVIA is a global provider of information, analytics, and technology solutions for the healthcare and life sciences industries. IQVIA offers services such as market intelligence, clinical trials, real-world evidence, consulting, and technology platforms.

The second-largest market research company was Gartner, with a global research revenue of almost 4.75 billion U.S. dollars in 2021. Gartner is a leading research and advisory firm that provides insights and guidance for various industries and functions, such as IT, marketing, finance, human resources, and supply chain. Gartner also organizes events and conferences for executives and professionals.

The third-largest market research company was NielsenIQ, with a global research revenue of 3.6 billion U.S. dollars in 2021. NielsenIQ is a global measurement and data analytics company that specializes in consumer behavior and markets. NielsenIQ provides services such as consumer panels, retail measurement, media measurement, e-commerce measurement, and analytics solutions.

Factors Affecting the Demand for Market Research Services

The demand for market research services is influenced by various factors, such as:

The level of economic activity and growth in different regions and sectors
The degree of competition and innovation in different markets
The emergence of new technologies and platforms that enable data collection and analysis
The changing needs and preferences of clients and consumers
The regulatory and ethical standards and challenges in different markets

Some of the trends that are driving the demand for market research services include:

The increasing adoption of digital transformation and e-commerce by businesses and consumers
The growing importance of customer experience and satisfaction as a competitive advantage
The rising awareness and interest in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues among stakeholders
The expanding use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to enhance data quality and insights
The diversification of data sources and methods, such as social media, mobile devices, sensors, biometrics, and crowdsourcing

Key Developments and Innovations in the Market Research Industry

The market research industry is constantly evolving and innovating to meet the changing needs and expectations of clients and consumers. Some of the key developments and innovations in the market research industry include:

The emergence of new business models and partnerships that leverage data sharing and collaboration among market research providers and clients

The development of new tools and platforms that enable self-service and DIY market research by clients

The integration of behavioral science and neuroscience into market research to understand the subconscious drivers of consumer behavior

The adoption of agile and iterative approaches to market research that allow faster feedback loops and adaptation to changing scenarios

The application of data visualization and storytelling techniques to communicate data insights more effectively

The market research industry is a dynamic and diverse sector that provides valuable information and insights for various stakeholders. The industry is led by some of the world’s largest market research companies that offer a range of services across different industries and markets. The demand for market research services is influenced by various factors, such as economic activity, competition, innovation, technology, customer needs, and regulations. The market research industry is also undergoing significant changes and innovations, such as new business models, tools, methods, and techniques, to enhance data quality and insights.

FREQUENTLY QUESTIONS

Q: What are the benefits of hiring a research company?
A: Hiring a research company can help you gain valuable insights into your market, customers, competitors, and industry trends. A research company can also help you validate your assumptions, test your hypotheses, identify opportunities and threats, and support your decision making and strategy development.

Q: How much does it cost to hire a research company?
A: The cost of hiring a research company depends on various factors, such as the scope, complexity, and duration of the project, the type and quality of the research service, the reputation and experience of the research company, and the market conditions and demand. The cost can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per project.

Q: How to choose the best research company for your project?
A: Choosing the best research company for your project requires careful consideration of your research objectives, budget, and expectations. You should also evaluate the research company’s portfolio, credentials, testimonials, and reviews to assess their expertise, quality, and reliability. You should also communicate with the research company to clarify your project requirements, expectations, and deliverables, and to establish a rapport and trust.

Q: What are the challenges of hiring a research company?
A: Hiring a research company can pose some challenges, such as finding a suitable and available research company that meets your criteria and needs, negotiating the terms and conditions of the contract, managing the communication and collaboration with the research company, ensuring the quality and timeliness of the deliverables, and resolving any issues or disputes that may arise during or after the project.

Q: What are the alternatives to hiring a research company?
A: If you don’t want to hire a research company for your project, you have some alternatives, such as conducting the research yourself or with your team, using online tools and resources to access existing data and information, or using a platform like ResearchGate that connects you with freelance researchers who can provide you with customized research services at affordable prices.

Reference:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-19-928196-1

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-9765574-0-1

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-684-83545-2