Consumer 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.

Positivism

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

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

Interpretivism

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

Table 2.2 Comparisons between Positivism and Interpretivism

PURPOSE

Positivism
Prediction of consumer actions METHODOLOGY Positivism Quantitative

Interpretivism
Understanding consumption practices Interpretivism Quantitative

Table 2.2 continued

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

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

Figure 2.1 The Consumer Research Process

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

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 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

Table 2.2 Major Sources of Secondary Data

Government Publications Internal Sources

Periodicals & Books

Commercial Data

Data Collection Methods

Observation

Experimentation

Surveys

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
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

Personal Interview Mail

Telephone
Online

Table 2.4 Comparative Advantages

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

Validity

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

Reliability

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

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.

Figure 2.4 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.

Figure 2.4 Semantic Differential Profiles of Three Pay-Per-Movie Services

Poor
Neutral
5

4 3

DVD Digital Cable DIVX

Excellent

Availability

Number of Titles

Clarity of Picture

Ease of Access

Cost

Figure 2.5 Rank-Order Scales

Rank the following computer manufacturers in terms of hotline help by placing a 1 next to the one who provides the best telephone help, a 2 next to the second best, until you have ranked all six.
_____ IBM _____ Dell _____ Compaq _____Hewlett Packard _____ Gateway _____ NEC

Qualitative Data Collection Methods

Depth Interviews

Focus Groups

Projective Techniques

Metaphor Analysis

Focus Group

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

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)

Projective Techniques

Research procedures designed to identify consumers subconscious feelings and motivations.

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 Surveys Gap Analysis of Expectations versus Experience Mystery Shoppers Critical Incident Technique Customer Complaint Analysis Analysis of Customer Defections

Sampling Plan Decisions

Whom to survey?

How many?
How to select them?

Table 2.6 Probability Sampling Designs

Simple random sample Systematic random sample Every member of the population has a known and equal chance of being selected. A member of the population is selected at random and then every nth person is selected.

Stratified random sample

Cluster (area) sample

The population is divided into mutually exclusive groups (such as age groups), and random samples are drawn from each group.
The population is divided into mutually exclusive groups (such as blocks), and the researcher draws a sample of the groups to interview.

Table 2.6 Nonprobability Sampling Designs

Convenience sample Judgment sample The researcher selects the most accessible population members from whom to obtain information (e.g., students in a classroom) 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). The researcher interviews a prescribed number of people in each of several categories (e.g., 50 men and 5 women).

Quota sample