Which step is not part of the marketing research process?

The marketing research process consists of several key steps that aim to gather and analyze information to inform marketing strategies. Defining the question helps to focus the research on specific objectives, while analyzing the research data allows for interpretation and understanding of the gathered information. Implementing the findings is essential, as it involves applying the insights gained from the research to make informed business decisions and improve marketing efforts.

Advertising the product, while crucial to the overall marketing strategy, is not a direct step in the marketing research process itself. Instead, it is a subsequent action that may result from the conclusions drawn through research. It relies on the insights obtained during the research phase but does not constitute a part of the process that systematically collects, analyzes, or interprets data. This distinction highlights how the marketing research process is aimed at understanding markets and consumer behavior, which then informs marketing tactics like advertising.