Both of these industries follow similar paths of collating data, storing the findings and analysing it but for different purposes. Business intelligence works internally improving business processes where as market research focuses on the customer and external effects on business.

Business Intelligence
To work in business intelligence you need the ability to take data, analyse it and make decisions based on your findings. It has come a long way from its original routes of managing data storage and the merging of different databases. In a modern era where efficiency and streamlining the of companies is seen as essential to control business costs, BI is more important than ever. As technology and software improves, so the industry will evolve and develop.

Market Research
Market research focuses on finding and spotting trends so the companies can keep one step ahead. There are normally two approaches to market research; quantitative or qualititative. Quantitative research centers on the accumulation of data through questionnaires and other specific forms of data capture. Qualititative takes a slightly more general approach to research working on questions with open ended answers and looking at interviews. The two different elements of research are normally clearly split as individuals tend to work in specialist research agencies, although there are some opportunities to work in house at large organisations.