An operational method and an electronic market platform for hosting a market place for investment research products that have been classified according to a species of research based upon a buyer-side ex-ante procurement process. Research providers are able to provide a range of prices for each species or class of equity research service provided and fund managers (research consumers) are able to place purchaser orders via the electronic market platform in a desired range according to a relative negotiating position. A research procurement "hub" enables fund managers (research consumers) to consolidate their purchases for internal and external negotiations based upon and subject to market forces.