Product Description
The Observational Research Handbook explores the burgeoning qualitative marketing research technique of ethnography or "descriptive anthropology," the observation and analysis of how consumers respond to a product within their own environments based upon their cultural values and relationships. The most comprehensive professional reference available on the subject, The Observational Research Handbook acquaints marketing and advertising professionals, market researchers, and manufacturers of consumer products with what observational research is, what it can add to a consumer marketing effort, and how an ethnographic marketing study is conducted. The book includes insights on setting study objectives, selecting the appropriate research method, defining the parameters of a study, creating interview scripts, applying specific practices and tips to the actual observations, and then compiling and analyzing the results. A complete case study—featuring a real proposal for an observational research study as well as an actual script and analysis of the results—is included in the appendix. Praise for The Observational Research Handbook: "Building great brands means constantly fishing for new ideas with the power to move consumers. This book should be in every marketer's tackle box. Bill Abrams provides a guide to observational research that's fascinating and instructive. -- Elizabeth Ellers Director, Brand Planning & Research Grey Advertising "Bill Abrams takes a topic that is surrounded by academic mystery and makes it understandable and usable for people in business. The learning that Colgate has obtained from observing people shopping and using our products in their homes has been invaluable in designing new products that meet their needs. Observational research is a cornerstone of our consumer insights program." -- Jim Figura Vice President Consumer Research and Insights Colgate-Palmolive Company "Bill Abrams creative director turned observational research guru, opens your eyes to how you can determine how consumers actually relate to and use your product. When you finish the book, you will be a believer!" -- Charles D. Peebler Jr. Chairman Emeritus True North Communications
From the Back Cover
Makers of consumer goods—from shampoo to ice cream, from toothbrushes to plastic storage bags, from home comupters to lawn mowers—want to know how their products are really used by buyers. For example, how many dollops of styling mousse does the average user put in her hair to achieve a satisfactory hold? What constitutes a fresh smelling load of laundry? How does a pot full of spaghetti noodles need to look, feel, and smell in order for the average consumer to consider it cooked? Beyond test kitchens, focus group studies, and surveys, few qualitative research techniques have allowed marketers and manufacturers to gain a profound understanding of how consumers truly use a product once they get it home from the store. Enter observational research (also known as ethnography), an increasingly popular marketing research technique. In a marketing context, ethnography or "descriptive anthropology" is the study of consumer behaviors. It is about observing and analyzing how consumers respond to a product or service in their own environments based upon their cultural values and relationships. Observational researchers study how people use and react to products or services in their own homes. The results of such studies often reveal surprising insights into consumer behaviors and preferences. This information then allows companies to tailor their advertising and marketing efforts to meet the often unspoken but widely observed needs of their targeted consumers.
The Observational Research Handbook explores the burgeoning qualitative marketing research technique of ethnography and is the most comprehensive professional reference available on the subject. Directed to marketing and advertising professionals, as well as to market researchers and manufacturers of consumer products, the book explains what observational research is, what it can add to a consumer marketing effort, and how an ethnographic marketing study is conducted. It includes insights on setting study objectives, selecting the appropriate research method, defining the parameters of a study, creating interview scripts, applying specific practices and tips to the actual observations, and then compiling and analyzing the results.
