A research analyst gathers information about a particular topic and presents an analysis of the data to be used by decision makers in a company or organization. As a research analyst, you use market reports, internet resources, and industry journals to compile relevant information and compose a report. You may work in one of a variety of industries, but one of the most common is marketing. Marketing firms must know what products exist on the market and how people will respond to new competition and campaigns. You present compiled data in the form of a report or presentation. Another field common for research analysts is in finance, where you obtain information about stocks and other securities.