Analysts design the surveys and questionnaires. They also figure out which groups of people would be best to interview. Analysts supervise interviewers while they are gathering data. These interviewers gather interview information by telephone, mail, or in person. Once the data are organized, analysts use statistics programs on computers to analyze them.
Analysts present their findings and recommendations in written reports.
They may make a presentation of their findings to company directors. Companies often use these findings to make decisions on how a product is designed, what price is charged, how it is advertised, and where it is sold. Analysts may help determine if a company should add new lines of merchandise or open new branches. In addition to researching how people feel about products, analysts may do opinion research. This type of research examines how the public feels about certain topics.