PGDM Bangor Transfer Abroad Programme Consumer Behaviour Bangor Transfer Abroad Programme Qualitative Techniques in Consumer Research

PGDM Bangor Transfer Abroad Programme Consumer Behaviour Bangor Transfer Abroad Programme

PGDM Qualitative Research... Is any research conducted using an observational technique or unstructured questioning. Conducted: –when structured research is not possible, –when true response may not be available [embarrassing “touchy questions”] –to explain quantitative research results.

PGDM Bangor Transfer Abroad Programme Consumer Behaviour Bangor Transfer Abroad Programme

PGDM Consumer Behaviour Bangor Transfer Abroad Programme

PGDM Consumer Behaviour Bangor Transfer Abroad Programme Common Methods in Consumer Research

PGDM Bangor Transfer Abroad Programme Direct vs indirect: –Direct > observing behavior as it occurs –Indirect > observing the effects of behavior Disguised vs nondisguised –Nondisguised >Direct –Disguised > Indirect Classification of Observation techniques Structured vs unstructured Structured >predetermine what to observe Unstructured>monitor all behavior Human vs Mechanical Human>observation done by human beings Mechanical>observation by machine

PGDM Bangor Transfer Abroad Programme Observation Appropriate Conditions –The event must occur in a short time interval, Avoid lag affect –Must occur in a setting where the researcher can observe the behavior Praying, cooking are not suitable things to observe –Necessary under situations of faulty recall Faulty recall - remembering things such as how many times one looked at his wristwatch.

PGDM Bangor Transfer Abroad Programme Observation: Advantages and Limitations Advantages –Greater data accuracy than direct questioning, in natural settings people behave naturally, –Problems of refusal, not at home, false response, non- cooperation etc. are absent, –No recall error, –In some situations, only way Number of customers visiting a store Studying children’s behavior Limitations –Time consuming, too many things to observe, –may not be representative, –difficulty in determining root cause of the behavior.

PGDM Bangor Transfer Abroad Programme Focus Group An interview conducted by a trained moderator in a non-structured and natural manner with a small group of respondents. Group size Group composition Homogenous, respondents prescreened Physical setting Relaxed, informal setting Time duration hours Recording Use of audio and video cassettes Moderator Observational, interpersonal, good communication skills needed.

PGDM Bangor Transfer Abroad Programme Focus Groups Objectives: - Generate new product or service ideas –Understand consumer vocabulary Useful for ad campaigns –Reveal consumer needs, motives, perceptions and attitudes, Generating future research objectives –Facilitate understanding of the quantitative studies

PGDM Bangor Transfer Abroad Programme Focus Group: Advantages and Disadvantages Major Advantages: –Synergism, Snowballing, Stimulation, Security, Spontaneity, Speed and Cost savings. Major Disadvantages: –Lack of representativeness, Misuse, Misjudge, Moderation problem, and Difficulty of analysis

PGDM Bangor Transfer Abroad Programme Seven advantages of Focus Group I Seven advantages of Focus Group I

PGDM Bangor Transfer Abroad Programme Seven advantages of Focus Group

PGDM Bangor Transfer Abroad Programme Five Disadvantages of Focus Group

PGDM Bangor Transfer Abroad Programme Other Qualitative Techniques Depth Interview: An unstructured interview that seeks opinions of respondents on a one-to-one basis. Useful for sensitive issues, politics etc. Protocol Analysis: Involves placing a person in a decision making situation and asking him/her to state everything he/she considers in making a decision. Useful in 1. Purchasing involving a long time frame (car, house) and 2. Where the decision process is too short (greeting card). Projective technique: Involve situations in which participants are placed in simulated activities hoping that they will divulge information about themselves that are unlikely to be revealed under direct questing.

PGDM Bangor Transfer Abroad Programme Consumer Behaviour Bangor Transfer Abroad Programme Example: Delphi technique for Retail Food

PGDM Bangor Transfer Abroad Programme Projective Techniques These are indirect interviewing methods which enable sampled respondents to project their views, beliefs and feelings onto a third-party or into some task situation. The researcher sets up a situation for the respondents asking them to express their own views, or to complete/ interpret some ambiguous stimulus presented to them. Various types. More common ones are: –Free Word Association + Techniques –Sentence Completion –Unfinished scenario/story completion –Cartoon completion test

PGDM Bangor Transfer Abroad Programme Consumer Behaviour Bangor Transfer Abroad Programme FREE WORD ASSOCIATION In this technique, a list of carefully selected stimulus words or phrases related to the topic of research are read out, one at a time, to a respondent. The respondent is asked to respond with the first word or phrase that comes to his/her mind. The list of words should contain a mixture of test words and neutral words.

PGDM Bangor Transfer Abroad Programme Consumer Behaviour Bangor Transfer Abroad Programme CARTOON COMPLETION TEST In the cartoon technique, the respondent is shown a comic- strip like cartoon with two characters in a conversation. While the speech of one character is shown in his/her balloon,the other balloon is empty. The respondent is asked to assume the role of the other person and fill the empty balloon with a speech. Where can I get a watch of this quality?

PGDM Bangor Transfer Abroad Programme Consumer Behaviour Bangor Transfer Abroad Programme SUMMARY Qualitative research can be used alone or as part of mixed research Main advantage is that is capable generating rich data on WHY? Useful when looking at NEW things Rich data may be difficult to analyse