Final answer:
A marketing researcher ready for specific, informed questions after preliminary insights uses quantitative research methods, such as surveys or structured questionnaires, to collect numerical data that can be statistically analyzed.
Step-by-step explanation:
Marketing research involves an iterative process of asking questions, becoming increasingly focused as preliminary insights are gained. At the start, researchers pose general questions, but with growing knowledge, these questions become more targeted and precise. In moving past the initial stages of exploration, researchers transition into the design and conduct of their studies, employing methodologies appropriate for the questions they aim to answer.
For hypotheses that have been refined through preliminary research, quantitative research methods are employed to collect specific data that can often be represented numerically, such as through closed-ended questions in surveys and questionnaires. This approach is suitable when the goal is to collect data that can be statistically analyzed to identify patterns or correlations on a larger scale.
Sources like surveys and interviews can yield both quantitative and qualitative data; however, quantitative data is specifically useful for applying findings to the general population due to its more structured nature. Unlike qualitative research, which is interpretive, quantitative data allows for objective measurement and comparison. Common instruments for gathering quantitative data include structured questionnaires with closed-ended questions like yes-or-no or multiple-choice questions.
Ultimately, the choice between quantitative and qualitative methods depends on the specific research questions posed, the nature of the subject matter, and the researcher's goals for how they intend to apply and interpret the collected data.