This refers to the application of modern information means, especially the Internet and local area network, to obtain all kinds of needed information from the Internet, digital library or database. As mentioned above, with the development of modern information technology, various websites have sprung up, and many libraries will establish digital libraries and more and more databases. There are a lot of information materials in these websites and libraries, and many of them are provided free of charge. This is a very valuable resource, and market researchers must pay great attention to making full use of these resources. Therefore, to carry out desk research, we should first pay attention to online search.

2. Search

This is the basic way to get second-hand information. From the order of operation, we should first pay attention to the search within the enterprise. Generally speaking, it is the fastest and most convenient to find it from your own information base. In addition, it should also be found from all relevant departments within the enterprise. As long as we do the basic work of information well, we can get a lot of time series information reflecting the enterprise's own situation, as well as information about customers and markets. On the basis of internal search, we should also conduct external search of the enterprise. Mainly go to some public institutions, such as libraries, reference rooms and information centers. In order to improve the search efficiency, we should be familiar with the search system and information catalogue, and try to get the help of the staff of these institutions if possible.

(3) Claim

This is the free demand of units or individuals with information. The effect of this method depends largely on the attitude of the other party, because the demand is cost-free. Therefore, asking those units and individuals who have certain contacts, or asking those units and individuals who have never been contacted by acquaintances, can often get good results. Some enterprises are willing to provide relevant information to the society for the purpose of promoting their own needs, and it also has a good effect to ask them for it. Replication is often an effective way to win success.

(4) purchase

That is, by paying a certain price, information is obtained from relevant units. With the commercialization of information, many professional information companies transfer their stored information in a valuable way, and most information publications are also valuable, so purchasing will become an important way to collect information. Of course, enterprises subscribing to relevant newspapers and magazines also belong to the category of purchase in essence, but this way belongs to routine work. However, it should be noted that newspapers and periodicals subscribed by enterprises should try to avoid duplication. We should also pay attention to systematically collecting and sorting out the information published in these newspapers and magazines.

(5) Exchange

This refers to the peer-to-peer information exchange with some information institutions or units. Of course, this kind of exchange is different from barter between commodity sales, but a cooperative relationship of information sharing. Both parties to the transaction have the obligation to provide information to each other for free, and also have the right to obtain information from each other for free.

(6) Receiving

This refers to accepting information provided by the outside world for free. With the development of commodity economy and the establishment of modern marketing concept, more and more enterprises or units actively spread all kinds of information to the society, including advertisements, product brochures, promotional materials, etc., in order to publicize themselves, products and services, expand their visibility and establish a social image. As recipients of information, we should pay attention to receiving and accumulating this information. Although some of them can't show value for the time being and have regular characteristics, they will often become valuable materials if they persist in collecting for a long time.