Research in search engine market

[the1one]

Hi everyone

I'm a student in my last year of communications sciences. To obtain my master degree I have to successfully conduct a study by the end of july. My study involves the search market.

I've read a lot of studies and a few books the last months,and I've of course consulted SEW a lot but I'm still having problems forming a narrow and well defined research question. One of the biggest problems is the fact that it is very limited. I've only got 6 months to finish the research.

So since this board is full of professionals in the search engine market, I thought I can ask you guys. What topic is really worth studying specifically in the niche search engine market? It has to be possible to research in 6 months of course.

With this being said I want to thank everyone in advance for helping me out and for the information I already obtained thanks to this board. I'll try to keep everyone posted on my progressions.

Greets

[AussieWebmaster]

Is there a ceiling for paid search? How effective is advertising in an area that has say 400 plus ppc advertisers competing in it?

[the1one]

Hi, thx for the incredible fast response. Seems you didn't have to think long about this. ;-)
In the first question, (Is there a ceiling for paid search?)do you mean in the whole paid search market? If so, I think I'm lacking the necessary resources. (time, specific market figures, ...)

The second question is very interesting. This one I can research in an niche market.

If it wouldn't be to difficult, does anyone have still some questions in his mind that are also specified in the usage of search engines (and not in the paid search listings)?

Thx, AussieWebmaster for the quick help. If you still have questions on your mind, pls share them with me. ;-) Because I still got a little bit of time to present my research question.