In your opinion, should the company give consideration to the development and implementation of Internet-based test marketing strategies? Why, or why not?
> What are some of threats to drawing credible conclusions in qualitative data analysis?
> Give some specific examples data displays, and explain how they may be used in qualitative data analysis.
> What is negative case analysis, and why is it important to the credibility of qualitative analysis?
> How do you build theory in qualitative analysis?
> What are the interrelated steps in data reduction?
> Describe the three steps in qualitative data analysis, and explain how and why these steps are iterative.
> How are quantitative and qualitative data analyses different?
> Unless needed for screening purposes, why shouldn’t demographic questions be asked up front in questionnaire?
> Discuss the main benefits of including a brief introductory section in questionnaires.
> Discuss the value of a good questionnaire design.
> Is the target population being interviewed the appropriate one?
> What makes a question bad? Develop three examples of bad questions. Rewrite your examples so they could be judged as good questions.
> What are the guidelines for deciding the format and layout of a questionnaire?
> Explain the role of a questionnaire in the research process. What should be the role of the client during the questionnaire development process?
> Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using unstructured (open-ended) and structured (closed-ended) questions in developing an online, self-administered survey instrument.
> Explain the major differences between “rating” and “ranking” scales. Which is a better scale measurement technique for collecting attitudinal data on sales force performance of people who sell commercial laser printers? Why?
> What are the major differences between ordinal and interval scales? In your response include an example of each type of scale.
> Explain the main differences between interval and ratio scale measurements.
> Among the four basic levels of scales, which one provides the researcher with the most information?
> Explain the relationship between sample sizes and sampling error. How does sampling error occur in survey research?
> Why do many research studies place heavy emphasis on correctly defining a target population rather than a total population?
> If this proposal is accepted, will it achieve the objectives of management?
> How might a faulty problem definition error affect the implementation of a mail survey?
> What are the important topics to include in a presentation of the findings?
> What problems do you see with the questionnaire?
> What other issues can be examined with this survey?
> What other regression models might be examined with the questions from this survey?
> How would the manager interpret the mean values for the variables reported in Exhibit 12.22?
> Which independent variables are helpful in predicting A36–Customer Satisfaction?
> Will the results of this regression model be useful to the QualKote plant manager? If yes, how?
> What new marketing strategies would you suggest?
> Run post-hoc ANOVA tests between competitor groups. What additional problems or challenges does this reveal?
> Are there other questions that should be asked in the project?
> What are other areas of improvement for Remington’s?
> Consider the guidelines on questionnaire design you learned in Chapter 8. How would you improve the Deli Depot questionnaire?
> Should the Deli Depot questionnaire have screening questions?
> Evaluate the “screener” used to qualify the respondents. Are there any changes needed? Why, or why not?
> Overall, is the current survey design able to capture the required data needed to address all the stated research objectives? Why, or why not? If changes are needed, how would you change the survey’s design?
> Based on the research objectives, does the self-administered questionnaire, in its current form, correctly illustrate sound questionnaire design principles? Please explain why or why not.
> Do you agree or disagree with the Burke, Inc. interpretation of the value they provide their clients using the Customer Loyalty Index? Support your response.
> If you were the lead researcher, what types of scale measurement would you have used to collect the needed data for calculating SCI®? Why? Write some scale measurements you would use.
> What are several weaknesses associated with how Burke, Inc. measured its Secure Customer Index® (SCI®)? Make sure you clearly identify each weakness and explain why you feel it is a weakness.
> For each construct, design an example of the actual scale measurement that could be used by Burke, Inc. to collect the data.
> Is a research project actually needed? Is the best approach a survey of customers? Should employees also be surveyed? Why or why not?
> In your judgment, what level of scale design would be the most appropriate in creating the necessary scale measurements for collecting primary data on each construct?
> Determine the appropriate sample design. Develop a sample design proposal for the Santa Fe Grill that addresses the following: Should a probability or nonprobability sample be used? Given your answer, what type of sampling design should be employed (simp
> How many new menu items can be examined on the survey? Remember, all potential menu possibilities should be assessed but you must have a manageable number of questions so the survey can be performed in a timely and reasonable manner. Specifically, from a
> How should the potential respondents be selected for the survey? Should customers be interviewed while they are dining? Should customers be asked to participate in the survey upon exiting the restaurant? Or should a mail or telephone approach be used to
> How many questions should the survey contain to adequately address all possible new menu items, including the notion of assessing the desirability of new cuisines? In short, how can it be determined that all necessary items will be included on the survey
> Identify and explain the strengths and weaknesses associated with the test market process used by the Lee Apparel Company.
> What are the benefits and limitations of comparative scale measurements? Design a ranking order scale that will enable you to determine brand preference between Bud Light, Miller Lite, Coors Light, and Old Milwaukee Light beers.
> Redesign questions # 26 to 29 on the survey using a rating scale that will enable you to obtain the “degree of importance” a customer might attach to each of the four listed attributes in selecting a restaurant to dine at. Listed below are some reasons
> What are the advantages and disadvantages associated with online surveys?
> What was Lee Apparel Company’s overall goal for conducting such an extensive test market of its new line of jeans under the brand name “Riders”? In your opinion did the company achieve its goal? Why, or why not?
> What is “nonresponse”? Identify four types of nonresponse found in surveys.
> Develop three recommendations to help researchers increase the response rates in direct mail and telephone-administered surveys.
> How might measurement and design errors affect respondent errors?
> Explain the major differences between in-home interviews and mall-intercept interviews. Make sure you include their advantages and disadvantages.
> Explain why survey designs that include a trained interviewer are more appropriate than computer-assisted survey designs in situations where the task difficulty and stimuli requirements are extensive.
> What are the three factors that affect choice of appropriate survey method? How do these factors differ in person-administered surveys as opposed to self-administered surveys?
> What are the advantages and disadvantages of field experiments?
> Explain the difference between internal validity and external validity.
> Identify and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using quantitative survey research methods to collect primary data in marketing research.
> Develop a word association test that will provide some insight to the following information research question: What are college students’ perceptions of their university’s student union?
> Think of one or two cultures or subcultures with which you are at least somewhat familiar. Would qualitative research be especially useful for these cultures? Why, or why not?
> What are the advantages and disadvantages of ethnography as compared to other qualitative techniques?
> What are the advantages and disadvantages of online focus group interviews compared to face-to-face group interviews?
> Why are the screening activities so important in the selection of focus group participants? Develop a screening form that would allow you to select participants for a focus group on the benefits and costs of leasing new automobiles.
> Why is it important to have 8 to 12 participants in a focus group? What difficulties might exist in meeting that objective?
> What are the characteristics of a good focus group moderator? What is the purpose of a moderator’s guide?
> Explain the pros and cons of using qualitative research in each of the following situations: Adding carbonation to Gatorade and selling it as a true soft drink b. Finding new consumption usages for Arm & Hammer baking soda c. Inducing customers who have
> Compare the unique characteristics, main research objectives, and advantages/disadvantages of the in-depth and focus group interviewing techniques.
> What are the major differences between quantitative and qualitative research methods? What skills must a researcher have to develop and implement each type of design?
> What is the difference between a parameter and a sample statistic?
> What are relationships? What is a positive relationship? What is a negative relationship? Give an example of a positive and a negative relationship.
> What challenges do researchers face in conducting research with the Latino marketplace online? How can researchers minimize the effects of these difficulties?
> Based on your understanding of Chapter 1, what kind of information about products, services, and customers should the owners of Santa Fe Grill consider collecting?
> Arkwright Mills plc is considering expanding its production of a new yarn, code name X15. The plant is expected to cost £1 million and have a life of five years and a nil residual value. It will be bought, paid for and ready for operation on 31 D
> Genesis Ltd was incorporated three years ago and has grown rapidly since then. The rapid rate of growth has created problems for the business, which the directors have found difficult to deal with. Recently, a firm of management consultants has been aske
> Threads Limited manufactures nuts and bolts, which are sold to industrial users. The abbreviated financial statements for 2015 and 2016 are as follows: Income statements for the year ended 30 June Statements of financial position as at 30 June
> The directors of Helena Beauty Products Ltd have been presented with the following abridged financial statements: Income statement for the year ended 30 September Statement of financial position as at 30 September Required: Using six ratios, comme
> Conday and Co. Ltd has been in operation for three years and produces antique reproduction furniture for the export market. The most recent set of financial statements for the business is set out as follows: Income statement for the year ended 30 Novembe
> The senior management of Galbraith Ltd is negotiating a management buyout of the business from the existing shareholders. The most recent financial statements of Galbraith Ltd are as follows: Statement of financial position as at 30 November Year 6
> Alpha plc, a dynamic, fast-growing business in microelectronics, has just made a bid of 17 of its own shares for every 20 shares of Beta plc, which manufactures a range of electric motors. Financial statements for the two businesses are as follows: Inc
> Eco-Energy Appliances Ltd started operations on 1 January and has produced the following forecasts for annual sales revenue: The following additional information is also available: 1.Operating profit is expected to be 15 per cent of sales revenue throug
> An investment business is considering taking a minority stake in two businesses, Monaghan plc and Cavan plc. Both are in the same line of business and both are listed on the London Stock Exchange. Monaghan plc has had a stable dividend policy over the ye
> When a business wishes to acquire another, it may make a bid in the form of cash, a share-for-share exchange, or loan capital-for-share exchange. Required: Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each form of consideration from the viewpoint of: (a)
> Leo plc is considering entering a new market. A new product has been developed at a cost of £5 million and is now ready for production. The market is growing and estimates from the finance department concerning future sales of the new product are as foll
> Aries plc was recently formed and issued 80 million £0.50 shares at nominal value and loan capital of £24 million. The business used the proceeds from the capital issues to purchase the remaining lease on some commercial properties that are rented out to
> Advocates of the shareholder value approach argue that, by delivering consistent and sustainable improvements in shareholder value, a business will benefit several stakeholder groups. The performance of a business such as the Stagecoach Group plc, which
> Goliath plc is a food wholesaler. The most recent financial statements of the business are as follows: Income statement for the year to 31 May Income statement for the year to 31 May (continued) £000 £000 Administrat
> International Electric plc at present offers its customers 30 days’ credit. Half of the customers, by value, pay on time. The other half takes an average of 70 days to pay. The business is considering offering a cash discount of 2 per cent to its custome
> The chief executive officer of Spark rite Ltd, a trading business, has just received summary sets of financial statements for last year and this year: Income statements for years ended 30 September Statements of financial position as at 30 September
> Mondrian plc is a new business that aims to maximize the wealth of its shareholders. The board of directors is currently trying to decide upon the most appropriate dividend policy to adopt for the business’s shareholders. However, there is strong disagre
> The following listed businesses each have different policies concerning distributions to shareholders: ■ North plc pays all profits available for distribution to shareholders in the form of a cash dividend each year. ■ South plc has yet to pay any cash d
> Newtake Records Ltd owns three shops selling rare jazz and classical recordings to serious collectors. At the beginning of June, the business had an overdraft of £35,000 and the bank has asked for this to be eliminated by the end of November
> The dividend policy of businesses has been the subject of much debate in the financial management literature. Required: Discuss the view that the pattern of dividend can increase the wealth of shareholders.
> Hatleigh plc is an engineering business. The financial statements for the year ended 30 April Year 8 are as follows: Statement of financial position as at 30 April Year 8 £000 ASSETS Non-current assets Property..................................
> Trexon plc is a major oil and gas exploration business that has most of its operations in the Middle East and South-East Asia. Recently, the business acquired rights to explore for oil and gas in the Gulf of Mexico. Trexon plc proposes to finance the new
> Consider each of the following: ■ Mallard plc issues loan capital with a nominal value of £100 million at a price of £90 per £100 nominal value. The annual interest rate is 10 per cent of the nominal capital. The loan capital will be redeemed in two year