Consumer Research

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Consumer Research

Quantitative Research:

Quantitative Research Descriptive in nature. Enables marketers to “predict” consumer behavior. Research methods include experiments, survey techniques, and observation. Findings are descriptive, empirical and generalizable.

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Positivism A consumer behavior research approach that regards the consumer behavior discipline as an applied marketing science.

Qualitative Research:

Qualitative Research Consists of depth interviews, focus groups, metaphor analysis, collage research, and projective techniques. Administered by highly trained interviewer-analysts. Findings tend to be subjective. Small sample sizes.

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Interpretivism A postmodernist approach to the study of consumer behavior that focuses on the act of consuming rather than on the act of buying.

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Comparisons between Positivism and Interpretism PURPOSE METHODOLOGY Positivism Prediction of consumer actions Interpretivism Understanding consumption practices Positivism Quantitative Interpretivism Quantitative

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ASSUMPTIONS Positivism Rationality; consumers make decisions after weighing alternatives The causes and effects of behavior can be identified Individuals are problem solvers A single reality exists Events can be objectively measured Interpretivism No single, objective truth Reality is subjective Cause and effect cannot be isolated Each consumption experience is unique Researcher/respondent interactions affect research findings

The Consumer Research Process:

The Consumer Research Process Six steps defining the objectives of the research collecting and evaluating secondary data designing a primary research study collecting primary data analyzing the data preparing a report on the findings

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The Consumer Research Process Develop Objectives Collect Secondary Data Design Qualitative Research Method Screener questionnaire Discussion guide Prepare Report Analyze Data (Subjective) Conduct Research (Using highly trained interviewers) Exploratory Study Prepare report Analyze Data (Objective) Collect Primary Data (Usually by field staff) Design Quantitative Research Method Sample design Data collection instrument

Developing Research Objectives:

Developing Research Objectives Defining purposes and objectives helps ensure an appropriate research design. A statement of objectives helps to define the type and level of information needed.

Secondary Versus Primary Data:

Secondary Versus Primary Data Secondary data: data that has been collected for reasons other than the specific research project at hand Primary data: data collected by the researcher for the purpose of meeting specific objectives

Major Sources of Secondary Data:

Major Sources of Secondary Data Government Publications Internal Sources Periodicals & Books Commercial Data

Data Collection Methods:

Data Collection Methods Observation Experimentation Surveys

Observational Research:

Observational Research Helps marketers gain an in-depth understanding of the relationship between people and products by watching them buying and using products. Helps researchers gain a better understanding of what the product symbolizes. Widely used by interpretivist researchers.

Experimentation:

Experimentation Can be used to test the relative sales appeal of many types of variables. Only one variable is manipulated at a time, keeping other elements constant. Can be conducted in laboratories or in the field.

Survey Data Collection Methods:

Survey Data Collection Methods Personal Interview Mail Telephone Online

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Comparative Advantages MAIL TELEPHONE PERSONAL INTERVIEW ONLINE Cost Low Moderate High Low Speed Slow Immediate Slow Fast Response rate Low Moderate High Self-selection Geographic flexibility Excellent Good Difficult Excellent Interviewer bias N/A Moderate Problematic N/A Interviewer supervision N/A Easy Difficult N/A Quality of response Limited Limited Excellent Excellent

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Validity The degree to which a measurement instrument accurately reflects what it is designed to measure .

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Reliability The degree to which a measurement instrument is consistent in what it measures.

Attitude Scales:

Attitude Scales Likert scales : easy for researchers to prepare and interpret, and simple for consumers to answer. Semantic differential scales : relatively easy to construct and administer. Rank-order scales : subjects rank items in order of preference in terms of some criteria.

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Example of a Likert Scale Please place the number that best indicates how strongly you agree or disagree with each of the following statements about shopping online in the space to the left of the statement. 1 = Agree Strongly 2 = Agree 3 = Neither Agree or Disagree 4 = Disagree 5 = Disagree Strongly _____ a. It is fun to shop online. _____ b. Products often cost more online. _____ c. It is a good way to find out about new products .

Qualitative Data Collection Methods:

Qualitative Data Collection Methods Depth Interviews Projective Techniques Focus Groups Metaphor Analysis

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Focus Group A qualitative research method in which eight to ten persons participate in an unstructured group interview about a product or service concept .

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Figure 2.5 Selected Portions of a Discussion Guide 1. Why did you decide to use your current cellular company? (Probe) 2. How long have you used you current cellular company? (Probe) 3. Have you ever switched services? When? What caused the change? (Probe) 4. What do you think of the overall quality of your current service? (Probe) 5. What are the important criteria in electing a cellular service? (Probe)

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Projective Techniques Research procedures designed to identify consumers’ subconscious feelings and motivations.

Metaphor Analysis:

Metaphor Analysis Based on belief that metaphors are the most basic method of thought and communication. Zaltman Metaphor Elicitation Technique (ZMET) combines collage research and metaphor analysis to bring to the surface the mental models and the major themes or constructs that drive consumer thinking and behavior.

Customer Satisfaction Data Collection Instruments (Table 2.5) :

Customer Satisfaction Data Collection Instruments (Table 2.5) Customer Satisfaction Surveys Gap Analysis of Expectations versus Experience Mystery Shoppers Critical Incident Technique Customer Complaint Analysis Analysis of Customer Defections

Sampling Plan Decisions:

Sampling Plan Decisions Whom to survey? How many? How to select them?

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Probability Sampling Designs Simple random sample Every member of the population has a known and equal chance of being selected. Systematic random sample A member of the population is selected at random and then every “nth” person is selected. Cluster (area) sample The population is divided into mutually exclusive groups (such as blocks), and the researcher draws a sample of the groups to interview. Stratified random sample The population is divided into mutually exclusive groups (such as age groups), and random samples are drawn from each group.

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Nonprobability Sampling Designs Convenience sample The researcher selects the most accessible population members from whom to obtain information (e.g., students in a classroom) Judgment sample The researcher uses his or her judgment to select population members who are good sources for accurate information (e.g., experts in the relevant field of study). Quota sample The researcher interviews a prescribed number of people in each of several categories (e.g., 50 men and 5 women).