The Marketing Research Process: An Overview 79 > Exhibit 4-1 The Marketing Research Process Clarifying the Research Question Discover the Management Dilemma Define the Management Question Stage 1 Define the Research Question(s) Chapters 3–5 Exploration Refine the Exploration Research Question(s) Stage 2 Research Chapter 6 Proposal Research Design Chapters 7–17 Strategy (type, purpose, time frame, scope, environment) Stage 3 Data Collection Sampling Design Design Instrument Development & Pilot Testing Stage 4 Data Collection and Preparation Chapter 18 Stage 6 Stage 5 Legend Data Analysis and Interpretation Chapters 19–22 Research planning Data Research Reporting Chapter 23 gathering Analysis, interpretation Management Decision Reporting