Most employers require their marketing research analysts to hold at least a bachelor's degree, so a college preparatory program is advised. Classes in English, marketing, economics, mathematics, psychology, and sociology are particularly important. Courses in computer science are especially useful, since a great deal of tabulation and statistical analysis is required in the marketing research field.
Marketing researchers collect and analyze all kinds of information in order to help companies improve their products, establish or modify sales and distribution policies, and make decisions regarding future plans and directions. In addition, research analysts monitor both in-house studies and off-site research, interpret results, provide explanations of compiled data, and develop research tools.