DECA Sports and Entertainment Marketing Practice Exam

Who are considered client-side researchers?

1. Only external agencies conducting market research

2. In-house staff researchers working with external agencies

3. Freelance researchers hired on a contract basis

4. University researchers focused on academic studies

The correct answer is: In-house staff researchers working with external agencies

Client-side researchers are typically employed by the organizations that utilize the research findings. These researchers are part of the in-house teams, which means they work within the company and focus on understanding their own organization’s market, customers, and competitors. They collaborate closely with external agencies but primarily carry out research to inform their company’s strategies and decisions. In contrast, external agencies provide services to multiple clients and do not belong to the organization that is seeking the research. Freelance researchers tend to work independently, often on short-term contracts, which places them in a different category from client-side researchers who are focused on their specific employer's needs. University researchers generally conduct studies that are more academic in nature, rather than being directly aligned with a company's operational goals. Thus, the distinction lies in the internal nature of client-side research teams, which is why in-house staff researchers are correctly identified as client-side researchers.