In last Lesson we discussed the marketing information system. Today’s Lesson Outlines the
marketing research process, including defining the problem and research objectives and developing
the research plan. We will also discuss the key issues of planning primary data collection,
implementing the research plan and interpreting and reporting the findings.
So our today’s topics are:

A. THE MARKETING RESEARCH PROCESS:

a. Marketing Research an Introduction:

Every marketer needs marketing research, and most large companies have their own marketing
research departments. Marketing research involves a four-step process. The first step consists of
the manager and researcher carefully defining the problem and setting the research objectives. The
objective may be exploratory, descriptive, or causal. The second step consists of developing the

b. Uses & Application of Research in Marketing:

Decision-making is crucial process in all types of the organization. This decision-making requires
then information that is collected and acquired through the marketing research process this
information can be regarding customers companies or competitor or the other environmental
factors. Major uses of the marketing research in the organizations are as following:
􀂉 Measurement of market potential.
􀂉 Analysis of market share.
􀂉 Determination of market characteristics
􀂉 Sales analysis.
􀂉 Product testing.
􀂉 Forecasting.
􀂉 Studies of business trends
􀂉 Studies of competitors' products.
 

c. THE MARKETING RESEARCH PROCESS

Before researcher can provide managers with information, they must
know what kind of problem the manager wishes to solve. Marketing
research process has following steps:
1. Defining the problem and research objectives
2. Developing the research plan,
3. Implementing the research plan, and
4. Interpreting and reporting the findings.

Now we will discuss these steps in detail:

Step 1 Defining the Problem and Research Objectives

The marketing manager and the researcher must work closely together to define the problem
carefully and agree on the research objectives. Marketing managers must know enough about
marketing research to help in the planning and to interpret research results. Defining the problem
and research objectives is often the hardest step in the process. After the problem has been defined
carefully, the manager and researcher must set the research objectives. The three general types of
objectives are:
1). Exploratory research where the objective is to gather preliminary information that
will help to better define problems and suggest hypotheses for their solution.
2). Descriptive research is where the intent is to describe things such as the market
potential for a product or the demographics and attitudes of customers who buy the product.
3). Casual research is research to test hypotheses about cause-and-effect relationships.
The statement of the problem and research objectives will guide the entire research process. It is
always best to put the problem and research objectives statements in writing so agreement can be
reached and everyone knows the direction of the research effort.

Step 2 Developing the Research Plan

In developing the research plan, the attempt is to determine the information needed (outline
sources of secondary data), develop a plan for gathering it efficiently, and presenting the plan to
marketing management. The plan spells out specific research approaches, contact methods,
sampling plans, and instruments that researchers will use to gather new data. The firm should
know what data already exists before the process of collecting new data begins. The steps that
should be followed are. Developing the research plan involves all of the following:
1. Determining Specific Information Needs
2. Gathering Secondary Information
3. Planning Primary Data Collection

1). Determine specific information needs.

In this step research objectives are translated
into specific information needs. For example, determine the demographic, economic, and lifestyle
characteristics of a target audience.

2). Gathering secondary information.

a). Secondary data is information that already exists somewhere, having been
collected for another purpose. Sources of secondary data include both internal and external
sources. Companies can buy secondary data reports from outside suppliers (i.e., commercial data
sources).
Information can be obtained by using commercial online databases. Examples include
CompuServe, Dialog, and Lexis-Nexus. Many of these sources are free. Advantages of secondary
data include:
1. It can usually be obtained more quickly and at a lower cost than primary data.
2. Sometimes data can be provided that an individual company could not collect on its own.
Some problems with collecting secondary data include:
1. The needed information might not exist.
2. Even if the data is found, it might not be useable.
3. The researcher must evaluate secondary information to make certain it is relevant,
accurate, current, and impartial. Secondary data is a good starting point; however, the company will
often have to collect primary data.
b). Primary data is information collected for the specific purpose at hand.

Planning Primary Data Collection.

A plan for primary data collection calls for a number of
decisions on research approaches, contact methods, sampling plans, and research instruments.

Research Approaches:

a). Research approaches can be listed as:

1. Observational research

where information is gained by observing relevant
people, actions, and situations. However, some things such as feelings,
attitudes, motives, and private behavior cannot be observed. Mechanical
observation can be obtained through single source data systems. This is
where electronic monitoring systems link consumers’ exposure to television
advertising and promotion (measured using television meters) with what they
buy in stores (measured using store checkout scanners). Observational
research can be used to obtain information that people are unwilling or
unable to provide.

2. Survey research

 is the gathering of primary data by asking people questions
about their knowledge, attitudes, preferences, and buying behavior. Survey research is best suited
for gathering descriptive information. Survey research is the most widely used form of primary
data collection The major advantage of this approach is flexibility while the disadvantages include
the respondent being unwilling to respond, giving inaccurate answers, or unwilling to spend the
time to answer.

3. Experimental research

involves the gathering of primary data by selecting
matched groups of subjects, giving them different treatments, controlling related factors, and
checking for differences in-group responses. This form of research tries to explain cause-andeffect
relationships. Observation and surveys may be used to collect information in experimental
research. This form is best used for causal information.

In last Lesson we discussed the marketing research process first two steps were discussed in that
Lesson today we will continue the same topic and will be discussing the remaining steps of the
marketing research process. Second topic of today’s Lesson is an introduction to the consumer
behavior.
So our today’s topics are:

A. THE MARKETING RESEARCH PROCESS (Continued)

B. CONSUMER MARKET

Contact Methods:

Contact methods are used to obtain the information Contact methods can be listed as:
1. Mail questionnaires--used to collect large amounts of information at a low cost.
2. Telephone interviewing--good method for collecting information quickly.
3. Personal interviewing (which can be either individual or group interviewing).
A form of personal interviewing is “focus group interviewing”.
Focus-group interviewing consists of inviting six to ten people to gather for a few hours with a
trained interviewer to talk about a product, service, or organization. The interviewer “focuses”
the group discussion on important issues.
4. Online (Internet) marketing research can consist of Internet surveys or online focus groups.
Many experts predict that online research will soon be the primary tool of marketing researchers.
5. Computer interviewing is a new method being used in the technology age. Consumers read
questions from a computer screen and respond.
Sampling plans are used to outline how samples will be constructed and used.
1. A sample is a segment of the population selected for marketing research to represent the
population as a whole.
2. Marketing researchers usually draw conclusions about large groups of consumers by
studying a small sample of the total consumer population.
3. Designing a sample calls for three decisions:
a. Who is to be surveyed (what sampling unit)?
b. How many people should be surveyed (what sample size)?
c. How should the sample be chosen (what sampling procedure)?
4. Kinds of samples include:
a. Probability samples--each population member has a known chance of being
included in the sample, and researchers can calculate confidence limits for sampling
error.
b. Nonprobability samples--sampling error cannot be measured.
Research Instruments:
In collecting primary data, marketing researchers have a choice of two main research
instruments—the questionnaire and mechanical devices. The questionnaire is by far the most
common instrument, whether administered in person, by phone, or online. Questionnaires are very
flexible—there are many ways to ask questions. However, they must be developed carefully and
tested before they can be used on a large scale. A carelessly prepared questionnaire usually contains
several errors.
 
In preparing a questionnaire, the marketing researcher must first decide what questions to ask.
Questionnaires frequently leave out questions that should be answered and include questions that
cannot be answered, will not be answered, or need not be answered. Each question should be
checked to see that it contributes to the research objectives.
The form of each question can influence the response. Marketing researchers distinguish between
closed-end questions and open-end questions. Closed-end questions include all the possible
answers, and subjects make choices among them. Examples include multiple-choice questions and
scale questions. Open-end questions allow respondents to answer in their own words. Open-end
questions often reveal more than closed-end questions because respondents are not limited in their
answers. Open-end questions are especially useful in exploratory research, when the researcher is
trying to find out what people think but not measuring how many people think in a certain way.
Closed-end questions, on the other hand, provide answers that are easier to interpret and tabulate.
Researchers should also use care in the wording and ordering of questions. They should use
simple, direct, unbiased wording. Questions should be arranged in a logical order. The first
question should create interest if possible, and difficult or personal questions should be asked last
so that respondents do not become defensive.
Although questionnaires are the most common research instrument, mechanical instruments also
are used. We discussed two mechanical instruments, people meters and supermarket scanners,
earlier in the chapter. Another group of mechanical devices measures subjects' physical responses.

Step 3 Implementing the Research Plan

The researcher next puts the marketing research plan into action. This involves collecting,
processing, and analyzing the information. Data collection can be carried out by the company's
marketing research staff or by outside firms. The company keeps more control over the collection
process and data quality by using its own staff. However, outside firms that specialize in data
collection often can do the job more quickly and at a lower cost.
The data collection phase of the marketing research process is generally the most expensive and
the most subject to error. The researcher should watch fieldwork closely to make sure that the plan
is implemented correctly and to guard against problems with contacting respondents, with
respondents who refuse to cooperate or who give biased or dishonest answers, and with
interviewers who make mistakes or take shortcuts.

Step 4 Interpreting and Reporting the Findings

The final step in the marketing research process is interpreting and reporting the findings. The
researchers should keep from overwhelming managers with numbers and fancy statistical
techniques. Researchers should present important findings that are useful in the major decisions
faced by management. Interpretation should not be left only to researchers. Marketing managers
will also have important insights into the problems. Interpretation is an important phase of the
marketing process. The best research is meaningless if the manager blindly accepts wrong
interpretations from the researcher.
The researcher must now interpret the findings, draw conclusions, and report them to
management. The researcher should not try to overwhelm managers with numbers and fancy
statistical techniques. Rather, the researcher should present important findings that are useful in
the major decisions faced by management.
However, interpretation should not be left only to the researchers. They are often experts in
research design and statistics, but the marketing manager knows more about the problem and the
 
decisions that must be made.

In many cases, findings can be interpreted in different ways, and
discussions between researchers and managers will help point to the best interpretations. The
manager will also want to check that the research project was carried out properly and that all the
necessary analysis was completed. Or, after seeing the findings, the manager may have additional
questions that can be answered through further sifting of the data. Finally, the manager is the one
who ultimately must decide what action the research suggests. The researchers may even make the
data directly available to marketing managers so that they can perform new analyses and test new
relationships on their own.
Interpretation is an important phase of the marketing process. The best research is meaningless if
the manager blindly accepts faulty interpretations from the researcher. Similarly, managers may be
biased—they might tend to accept research results that show what they expected and to reject
those that they did not expect or hope for. Thus, managers and researchers must work together
closely when interpreting research results, and both must share responsibility for the research
process and resulting decisions

A. Consumer Market:

a. Defining Consumer Market:

All individuals and households who buy or acquire goods and services for personal consumption
are termed as consumers. Markets have to be understood before marketing strategies can be
developed. People using consumer markets buy goods and services for personal consumption.
Consumers vary tremendously in age, income, education, tastes, and other factors. Consumer behavior
is influenced by the buyer's characteristics and by the buyer's decision process. Buyer characteristics
include four major factors: cultural, social, personal, and psychological.

Consumer Markets:

Consumer Buying Behavior refers to the buying
behavior of final consumers—individuals and
households who buy goods and services for
personal consumption.
The world consumer market consists of more than 6 billion people. At present growth rates, the
world population will reach almost 8 billion people by 2025
Consumers around the world vary tremendously in age, income, education level, and tastes. They
also buy an incredible variety of goods and services. How these diverse consumers connect with
each other and with other elements of the world around them impacts their choices among various
products, services, and companies. Here we examine the fascinating array of factors that affect
consumer behavior.

b. Why to Study Consumer Behavior:

Basic objective of the studying consumer behavior is that the firm needs to know who buys their
product? How they buy? When and where they buy? Why they buy? How they respond to
marketing stimuli. Because they study consumer behavior (CB) what Consumer Behavior is about?
 
How, why, where and when consumers make purchase decisions? Considers who influences the
decisions? What is Consumer Behavior about? All these are important questions, which are to be
known to the companies so that they can design, and implement marketing strategies to satisfy the
customers. Consumers determine the sales and profits of a firm by their purchase decisions, thus
the economic viability of the firm. In late 1990, US consumers were spending enough dollar bills to
stretch from the Earth to the Sun and back, with enough left over for over 600 lines to the moon!
Along with these questions companies should also be knowing some other factors like what is
Disposable income and what is Discretionary income what is the stage of family life cycle stage
because these all these factors influence the consumer behaviors which are very important to the
marketers.

c. Consumer Behavior

Consumer behavior is the process through which the ultimate buyer makes purchase decisions.
This can be defined as the processes involved when individuals or groups select, purchase, use, or
dispose of products, services, ideas, or experiences to satisfy needs and desires (Solomon, 1996).
Those actions directly involved in obtaining, consuming and disposing of products and services,
including the decision processes that precede and follow those actions (Engel et al. 1995).
Consumer behavior examines mental and emotional processes in addition to the physical activities
as by (Wilkie 1990).

d. Marketing Applications:

Consumer behaviors plays important role in almost all types of decisions to be made in marketing.
For the reason being that all functions performed in marketing revolve around the customers and
consumers. Like:

Positioning:

Arranging for a product to occupy a clear, distinctive, and desirable place relative to
competing products in the minds of target consumers.
Some firms find it easy to choose their positioning strategy. For example, a firm well known for
quality in certain segments will go for this position in a new segment if there are enough buyers
seeking quality. But in many cases, two or more firms will go after the same position. Then, each
will have to find other ways to set itself apart. Each firm must differentiate its offer by building a
unique bundle of benefits that appeals to a substantial group within the segment.
The positioning task consists of three steps: identifying a set of possible competitive advantages
upon which to build a position, choosing the right competitive advantages, and selecting an overall
positioning strategy. The company must then effectively communicate and deliver the chosen
position to the market.

Segmentation:

 Dividing a market into distinct groups of buyers on the basis of needs,
characteristics, or behavior who might require separate products or marketing mixes. Market
segmentation reveals the firm's market segment opportunities. The firm now has to evaluate the
various segments and decide how many and which ones to target. We now look at how companies
evaluate and select target segments. The company also needs to examine major structural factors
that affect long-run segment attractiveness. For example, a segment is less attractive if it already
contains many strong and aggressive competitors. The existence of many actual or potential substitute
products may limit prices and the profits that can be earned in a segment. The relative power of buyers
also affects segment attractiveness. Buyers with strong bargaining power relative to sellers will try
to force prices down, demand more services, and set competitors against one another—all at the
expense of seller profitability. Finally, a segment may be less attractive if it contains powerful suppliers
who can control prices or reduce the quality or quantity of ordered goods and services.

Product development:

A strategy for company growth by offering modified or new products to
current market segments. Developing the product concept into a physical product in order to
ensure that the product idea can be turned into a workable product.
 

Product development

—offering modified or new products to current markets.

Market development:

 A strategy for company growth by identifying and developing new market
segments for current company products.