Primary research is new, original research, such as experiments, surveys, focus groups, or interviews. Secondary research uses primary or other secondary research as sources, potentially combining data from different research sources. Tertiary research uses secondary research or a combination of primary and secondary research as resources, but a tertiary source typically only lists or summarizes the information, rather than present new conclusions or analyses.
Industry and market reports can be considered primary research if the data was collected "in house" by the publishing organization, but are more often secondary or tertiary research, as they synthesize data from multiple external sources.
When you write an academic paper or a business analysis, you are typically conducting secondary research as you search for data or articles to support your own arguments, conclusions, or recommendations. If you are gathering your own data via surveys or interviews, you are actually conducting primary research! Remember that by conducting any kind of research, you are contributing to the discourse on your topic. You are part of the information ecosystem!
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Conducting primary research by asking established business owners or target consumers for their opinions can provide useful insights when starting your own venture. However, as the saying goes, "the plural of anecdote is not data." That is, the opinions and experiences of a small group of individuals may not be representative of the larger group or population.
Utilizing industry/market reports or consumer data based on hundreds (or likely, thousands) of data points, compiled by trusted sources like Library database resources, will provide a more accurate picture of a target industry or market. This will help you to make more informed, data-driven decisions for your venture.