Final answer:
Research objectives are set during the development of the research plan, which corresponds to the stage of formulating a hypothesis in the scientific method.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the systematic marketing research approach, research objectives are set by marketers in the stage of developing the research plan. This takes place after defining the problem to ensure that the research objectives align with what the marketers aim to resolve or understand. In the context of the scientific method, this would align with formulating a hypothesis after asking a question and doing some initial research into existing sources.
The scientific method consists of several steps that include:
- Asking a question
- Researching existing sources
- Formulating a hypothesis
- Conducting a study
- Drawing conclusions
It is essential for researchers to set clear objectives during the planning phase because these objectives guide the entire research process, including the selection of appropriate research methods, data collection, and analysis. This ensures the consistency and relevance of the gathered information with the marketing goals.