Consumer Behavior

Consumer Research

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 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.

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 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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 Table 2.2 Comparisons between
Positivism and Interpretivism
PURPOSE
Positivism Interpretivism

Prediction of consumer Understanding consumption

actions practices
METHODOLOGY
Positivism Interpretivism

Quantitative Quantitative

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 Table 2.2 continued
ASSUMPTIONS
Positivism Interpretivism

•Rationality; consumers make •No single, objective truth

decisions after weighing •Reality is subjective
alternatives •Cause and effect cannot be
•The causes and effects of isolated
behavior can be identified •Each consumption experience
•Individuals are problem is unique
solvers •Researcher/respondent
•A single reality exists interactions affect research
•Events can be objectively findings
measured
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 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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Figure 2.1 The Consumer Research Process

Develop Objectives

Collect Secondary Data

Design Qualitative Research Design Quantitative Research

• Method • Method
• Screener questionnaire • Sample design
• Discussion guide • Data collection instrument

Conduct Research
Collect Primary Data
(Using highly trained
(Usually by field staff)
interviewers) Exploratory
Study
Analyze Data Analyze Data
(Subjective) (Objective)

Prepare Report Prepare report

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 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.

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 Secondary Versus Primary Data

• Secondary data: • Primary data: data

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

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 Table 2.2 Major Sources of
Secondary Data
Periodicals
Government
&
Publications
Books
Internal Commercial
Sources Data

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 Data Collection Methods

Observation

Experimentation

Surveys
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 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.

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 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.

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 Survey Data Collection Methods

Personal Interview

Mail

Telephone

Online

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 Table 2.4 Comparative Advantages
PERSONAL
MAIL TELEPHONE ONLINE
INTERVIEW
Cost Low Moderate High Low
Speed Slow Immediate Slow Fast
Response Self-
Low Moderate High
rate selection
Geographic
Excellent Good Difficult Excellent
flexibility
Interviewer
N/A Moderate Problematic N/A
bias
Interviewer
N/A Easy Difficult N/A
supervision
Quality of
Limited Limited Excellent Excellent
response

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

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

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 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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 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.

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

4
Neutral

3 DVD

Digital
2 Cable
DIVX
Excellent

1
Availability

Clarity of
Number of

Access
Cost

Ease of

Picture
Titles

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 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 _____Hewlett Packard

_____ Dell _____ Gateway
_____ Compaq _____ NEC

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 Qualitative Data Collection Methods

Depth Focus
Interviews Groups

Projective Metaphor
Techniques Analysis

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 A qualitative research
method in which eight
to ten persons
participate in an
Focus Group
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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 Research procedures
designed to identify
Projective
consumers’
Techniques
subconscious feelings
and motivations.

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 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.

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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
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 Sampling Plan Decisions

Whom to
survey?

How many?

How to
select them?
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 Table 2.6 Probability Sampling
Designs
Simple random Every member of the population has a known and
sample equal chance of being selected.
Systematic random A member of the population is selected at random
sample and then every “nth” person is selected.
Stratified random The population is divided into mutually exclusive
sample groups (such as age groups), and random samples
are drawn from each group.
Cluster (area) The population is divided into mutually exclusive
sample groups (such as blocks), and the researcher draws a
sample of the groups to interview.

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 Table 2.6 Nonprobability
Sampling Designs
Convenience The researcher selects the most accessible
sample 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).

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