NCRDS STERLING INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES Nerul, Navi Mumbai

Subject Research Methodology & Fundamentals of Market Research Presentation on, Exploratory Research Design: Qualitative Research Submitted To, Submitted by

Prof, Shirish Bhakare Kunal Kshirsagar (A-42) Sayeem Khan (A-36) Nitin Rathod (A-31) MMS-I

Click to edit Master subtitle style Exploratory Research Design: Qualitative Research

Research Objectives

Exploratory Research

Gather preliminary information that will help

define the problem and suggest hypotheses

Primary Data
Primary data are survey, observation, or experimental data collected to address the current research problem.

Recall that secondary data is information that was previously been collected for a different purpose.

Research Design
Primary research requires a research design:

The research design is a detailed blueprint used to guide the conduct of marketing research so that the research questions are answered and the research objectives are realized Research may be either qualitative or quantitative

Marketing Research Data

Secondary Data

Primary Data

Qualitative Data

Quantitative Data

Descriptive

Casual

Survey Data

Observational & Other Data

Experimen tal Data

Qualitative Research
Qualitative research provides insight and understanding of the problem setting. Qualitative research is a loosely defined term. It implies that the research findings are not determined by quantification or quantitative analysis.

Qualitative Vs. Quantitative Research

Qualitative Research Objective Quantitative Research To gain a qualitative To quantify the data understanding of the and generalize the underlying reasons and result from the sample motivations. to the population of interest. Small number of representative cases. Unstructured Non statistical Develop an initial understanding Large number of representative cases. Structured Statistical Recommend a final course of action

Sample Data Collection Data Analysis Outcome

Classification of Qualitative Research Procedure

Qualitative Research Procedure Direct (Non disguised) Indirect (Disguised)

Focus Group

Depth Interviews

Projective Techniques

Association Techniques

Completion Techniques

Construction Techniques

Expressive Techniques

Focus Group
Focus groups are small groups of people brought together and guided by a moderator through an unstructured, spontaneous discussion for the purpose of gaining information relevant to the research problem.

Focus Group

The moderators task is to ensure that open discussion is focused on some area of interest.

Focus groups are used to generate ideas, to learn the respondents vocabulary, to gain some insights into basic needs and attitudes.

Characteristic of Focus Group

A focus group includes 8-12 Members. A focus group should be homogeneous in terms of demographic and socioeconomic Characteristic. Their should be relaxed and informal atmosphere. It should last from 1-3 hours. Use of videotapes is to be done to record the facial expressions and body movements. Moderator plays a key role in the success of focal group.

Key Qualifications of Focus Group Moderator

1. Kindness with firmness: The moderator must combine a disciplined detachment with understanding empathy so as to generate the necessary interaction. 2. Permissiveness: The moderator must be permissive yet alert to signs that the groups cordiality or purpose is disintegrating. 3. Involvement: The moderator must encourage and stimulate intense personal involvement. 4. Incomplete understanding: The moderator must encourage respondents to be more specific about generalized comments by exhibiting incomplete understanding.

Key Qualifications of Focus Group Moderators, cont

5. Encouragement: The moderator must encourage unresponsive members to participate. 6. Flexibility: The moderator must be able to improvise and alter the planned outline amid the distractions of the group process. 7. Sensitivity: The moderator must be sensitive enough to guide the group discussion at an intellectual as well as emotional level.

Procedure for Planning and Conducting Focus Groups

Determine the Objectives and Define the Problem Specify the Objectives of Qualitative Research State the Objectives/Questions to be Answered by Focus Group Write a Screening Questionnaire Develop a Moderators Outline Conduct the Focus Group Interview Review Tapes and Analyze the Data Summarize the Findings and Plan FollowUp Research or Action

Variations in Focus Groups

Two way focus group. This allows one target group to listen to and learn from a related group. For example, a focus group of physicians viewed a focus group of arthritis patients discussing the treatment they desired. Dual moderator group . A focus group conducted by two moderators: One moderator is responsible for the smooth flow of the session, and the other ensures that specific issues are discussed. Dueling moderator group. There are two moderators, but they deliberately take opposite positions on the issues to be discussed.

Variations in Focus Group

Respondent moderator group. The moderator asks selected participants to play the role of moderator temporarily to improve group dynamics. Client participant groups . Client personnel are identified and made part of the discussion group. Mini groups. These groups consist of a moderator and only 4 or 5 respondents. Tele session session groups. groups. Focus group sessions by phone using the conference call technique. Online Focus groups. Focus groups conducted online over the Internet.

Advantages of Focus Group

1. Synergism 2. Snowballing 3. Stimulation 4. Security 5. Spontaneity 6. Serendipity 7. Specialization 8. Scientific scrutiny 9. Structure 10. Speed

Disadvantages of Focus Groups

1. Misuse 2. Misjudge 3. Moderation 4. Messy 5. Misrepresentation

Online Versus Traditional Focus Groups

Characteristic Group size Online Focus Groups 46 812 Drawn from the local 13 hours Traditional Focus Groups Group composition Anywhere in the world. area. Time duration 11.5 hours

Physical setting Researcher has little Under the control off control the researcher Respondent identity Difficult to verify Group dynamics Limited (bandwagon) effect Can be easily verified Synergistic, snowballing

Advantages of Online Focus Groups

Geographical constraints are removed and time constraints are lessened . Unique opportunity to recontact group participants at a later date. Can recruit people not interested in traditional focus groups: doctors, lawyers, etc. MM d t operators can carry on sided conversations with individual respondents. There is no travel, videotaping, or facilities to arrange so the cost is much lower.

Disadvantages of Online Focus Groups

Only people that have access to the Internet can participate. Verifying that a respondent is a member of a target group is difficult. There is lack of general control over the respondent's environment. Only audio and visual stimuli can be tested. Products can not be touched (e.g., clothing) or smelled (e.g., perfumes).

Focus Groups Reporting and Use of Results

Factors to remember when analyzing data:

Some sense must be made by translating the qualitative statements of participants into categories and then reporting the degree of consensus apparent in the focus Groups. Demographics and buyer behavior characteristics of focus group participants should be judged against the target market profile to assess what degree the groups represent the target market.

Depth Interview Techniques: Laddering

In laddering, the line of questioning proceeds from product characteristics to user characteristics. This technique allows the researcher to tap into the consumer's network of meanings . Wide body aircrafts (product characteristic)

I can get more work done I accomplish more I feel good about myself (user characteristic)

Advertising theme: You will feel good about yourself when flying our airline. You're The Boss.

Depth Interview Techniques: Hidden Issue Questioning

In hidden issue q g questioning, the focus is not on socially shared values but rather on personal sore spots; not on general lifestyles but on deeply felt personal concerns. fantasies, work lives, and social lives historic , elite , masculine camaraderie camaraderie, competitive activities Advertising theme: communicate aggressiveness, high status, and competitive heritage of the airline.

Depth Interview Techniques: Symbolic Analysis

Symbolic analysis attempts to analyze the symbolic meaning of objects by comparing them with their opposites. The logical opposites of a product that are investigated are: nonusage of the product, attributes of an imaginary nonproduct, and opposite types of products. What would it be like if you could no longer use airplanes? Without planes, planes, II would have to rely rely onon letters and long distance calls. Airlines sell to the managers facetoface communication Advertising theme: The airline will do the same thing for a manager as Federal Express does for a package.

Definition of Projective Technique

An unstructured, indirect form of questioning that encourages respondents to project their underlying motivations, beliefs, attitudes or feelings regarding the issues of concern. In projective techniques, respondents are asked to interpret the behavior of others. In interpreting the behavior of others , respondents indirectly project their own motivations, beliefs, attitudes, or feelings into the situation.

Word Association
In word association, respondents are presented with a list of words, one at a time, and asked to respond to each with the first word that comes to mind. The words of interest, called test words, are interspersed throughout the list which also contains some neutral, or filler words to disguise the purpose of the study. Responses are analyzed by calculating: (1) the frequency with which any word is given as a response; (2) the amount of time that elapses before a response is given; and (3) the number of respondents who do not respond at all to a test word within a reasonable period of time.

Word Association
Dealing with Dirt
EXAMPLE STIMULUS washday fresh pure scrub filth bubbles family towels MRS. M everyday and sweet air don't; husband this neighborhood bath squabbles dirty MRS. C ironing clean soiled does clean dirt soap and Water children wash

Completion Techniques
In sentence completion, respondents are given incomplete sentences and asked to complete them. Generally, they are asked to use the first word or phrase that comes to mind. A person who shops at Sears is __________________ A person who receives a gift certificate good for Sak's Fifth Avenue would be _________________________ J. C. Penney is most liked by __________________ When I think of shopping in a department store, I _____ A variation of sentence completion is paragraph completion, in which the respondent completes a paragraph beginning with the stimulus phrase.

Completion Techniques
In story completion, respondents are given part of a story, enough to direct attention to a particular topic but not to hint at the ending. They are required to give the conclusion in their own words.

Construction Technique
With a picture response, the respondents are asked to describe a series of pictures of ordinary as well as unusual events. The respondent's interpretation of the pictures gives indications of that individual's personality. In cartoon tests, cartoon characters are shown in a specific situation related to the problem. The respondents are asked to indicate what one cartoon character might say in response to the comments off another character. Cartoon tests are simpler to administer and analyze than picture response techniques.

A Cartoon Test

Expressive Technique
In expressive techniques, respondents are presented with a verbal or visual situation and asked to relate the feelings and attitudes of other people to the situation. Role playing Respondents are asked to play the role or assume the behavior of someone else. Third person technique The respondent is presented with a verbal or visual situation and the respondent is asked to relate the beliefs and attitudes of a third person rather than directly expressing personal beliefs and attitudes. This third person may be a friend, neighbor, colleague, or a typical person.

Advantages of Projective Techniques

They may elicit responses that subjects would be unwilling or unable to give if they knew the purpose of the study. Helpful when the issues to be addressed are personal, sensitive, or subject to strong social norms. Helpful when underlying motivations, beliefs, and attitudes are operating at a subconscious level.

Disadvantages of Projective Techniques

Suffer from many of the disadvantages of unstructured direct techniques, but to a greater extent. Require highlytrained interviewers. Skilled interpreters are also required to analyze the responses. There is a serious risk of interpretation bias. They 2011 tend to be expensive.

Applications of Projective Techniques

Projective techniques should be used because the required information cannot be accurately obtained by direct methods. Projective techniques should be used for exploratory research to gain initial insights and understanding. Given their complexity , projective techniques should not be used naively.

Comparison of Focus Groups, Depth Interviews, and Projective Techniques

Criteria
1.

Focus Groups

Depth Interviews Relatively Medium Medium

Projective Techniques Relatively low

Degree of Structure

Relatively high Low

2. Probing of individual respondents 3. Moderator bias 4. Interpretation bias

High

Relatively medium Relatively Low

Relatively High

Low to High Relatively High

Relatively Medium

5. Uncovering subconscious Low information 6. Discovering innovative information 7. Obtaining sensitive information High Low Low

Medium to High High Medium Medium Limited Useful Low High Yes Somewhat Useful

8. Involve unusual behavior or questioning 9. Overall usefulness

Highly Useful

Analysis of Qualitative Data

1) Data reduction Select which aspects of the data are to be emphasized, minimized, or set aside for the project at hand. 2) Data display Develop a visual interpretation of the data with the use of such tools as a diagram, chart, or matrix. The display helps to illuminate patterns and interrelationships in the data . 3) Conclusion drawing and verification Considers the meaning of analyzed data and assess its implications for the research question at hand.

Conclusion

Qualitative researches are the terms use to define strategies and techniques matched with some field researches. Different traditions of qualitative researches have established valid approaches and indicators which qualitative researches should follow. Qualitative researchers should be careful when using such methods not to endanger their unanimity. Finally, qualitative researchers should try to identify personal biases in the research results and analyze them and if they cant balance these biases, they should be clarified for the users.