The Practice of Market Research offers a comprehensive and understandable account of the techniques and practical tasks involved in setting up and running marketing or social research projects. Linked to the professional body MRS (the Market Research Society) and with plenty of real-life examples from big-name companies such as McDonalds and Levis as well as governments and charities, the author’s depth of insight and experience of the real world of market research is evident throughout this book. The book offers: A well-rounded overview of market research Strong coverage of both qualitative and quantitative aspects of market research, including research design, sampling, qualitative data analysis and research ethics Valuable insight into the day-to-day tasks of a researcher Guidance and examples on everything from writing a proposal and creating a project timetable to preparing a report and giving a presentation This book is an ideal companion to any student’s market research course or research project and an indispensable guidebook with a long shelf-life for market research practitioners and people in the industry.
This is a comprehensive account of the techniques and the day-to-day tasks of the researcher. Easy to read and understand, McGivern's book covers not only research methods and techniques, such as sampling and questionnaire design, but also the practical tasks of running a research project.
Market research has never been more important. As organizations become increasingly sophisticated, the need to profile customers, deliver customer satisfaction, target certain audiences, develop their brands, optimize prices and more has grown. Lively and accessible, Market Research in Practice is a practical introduction to market research tools, approaches and issues. Providing a clear, step-by-step guide to the whole process - from planning and executing a project through to analyzing and presenting the findings - it explains how to use tools and methods effectively to obtain reliable results. This fully updated third edition of Market Research in Practice has been revised to reflect the most recent trends in the industry. Ten new chapters cover topical issues such as ethics in market research and qualitative and quantitative research, plus key concepts such as international research, how to design and scope a survey, how to create a questionnaire, how to choose a sample and how to carry out interviews are covered in detail. Tips, and advice from the authors' own extensive experiences are included throughout to ground the concepts in business reality. Accompanied by a range of online tools, templates, surveys and guides, this is an invaluable guide for students of research methods, researchers, marketers and users of market research. Online resources include a range of tools, templates, surveys and guides.
The Practice of Market and Social Research is a comprehensive account of the techniques and the day-to-day tasks of the researcher. Easy to read and understand, this book covers not only research methods and techniques, such as sampling and questionnaire design, but also the practical tasks involved in running a research project. It guides the user through the preparation of the brief, writing of the proposal, managing of the research project, preparation of the report and finally the presentation and the evaluation of the findings. The Practice of Market and Social Research has been written especially for the MRS Advanced Certificate in Market and Social Research Practice. It covers the course syllabus in full and provides examples of both market and social research.
This practical guide to the basics of market research takes a clear, concise step-by-step approach. It describes and explains the various tools and techniques available to market researchers. Comparative examples and real-life international case studies help make the basics of market research straightforward and accessible. Market Research in Practice assumes no previous knowledge of the subject and offers guidance for the reader who is either studying or completely new to market research. The book also outlines data protection legislation and details the professional ethics incorporated in the MRS Code of Conduct. Contents include: the role of market research market research design desk research focus groups and in-depth interviews sampling questionnaire design interviewing self-completion questionnaires and e-surveys data analysis report findings Part of the new Market Research in Practice series and published in association with the Market Research Society, Market Research in Practice is an invaluable guide for students, researchers, marketers and users of market research.
`This clearly written and user-friendly book is ideal for students or researchers who wish to get a basic, but solid grasp of a topic and see how it fits with other topics. By following the links a student can easily and efficiently build up a clear conceptual map of social research′ - Malcolm Williams, Reader in Sociology, Cardiff University `This is a really useful book, written in an accessible manner for students beginning their study of social research methods. It is helpful both as an introductory text and as a reference guide for more advanced students. Most of the key topics in methods and methodology are covered and it will be suitable as a recommended text on a wide variety of courses′ - Clive Seale, Brunel University At last, an authoritative, crystal-clear introduction to research methods which really takes account of the needs of students for accessible, focused information to help with undergraduate essays and exams. The key concepts discussed here are based on a review of teaching syllabi and the authors′ experience of many years of teaching. Topics range over qualitative and quantitative approaches and combine practical considerations with philosophical issues. They include several new topics, like internet and phone polling, internet searches, and visual methods. Each section is free-standing, can be tackled in order, but with links to other sections to enable students to cross-reference and build up a wider understanding of central research methods. To facilitate comprehension and aid study, each section begins with a definition. It is followed by a summary of key points with key words and guides to further reading and up-to-date examples. The book is a major addition to undergraduate reading lists. It is reliable, allows for easy transference to essays and exams and easy to use, and exceptionally clearly written for student consumption. The book answers the needs of all those who find research methods daunting, and for those who have dreamt of an ideal introduction to the subject.
Drawing together the new techniques available to the market researcher into a single reference, The Handbook of Online and Social Media Research explores how these innovations are being used by the leaders in the field. This groundbreaking reference examines why traditional research is broken, both in theory and practice, and includes chapters on online research communities, community panels, blog mining, social networks, mobile research, e-ethnography, predictive markets, and DIY research. "This handbook fills a significant learning gap for the market research profession and Ray Poynter has once again proven that he is a guiding light. The practical and pragmatic advice contained within these pages will be relevant to new students of research, young researchers and experienced researchers that want to understand the basics of online and social media research. Ray’s views on 'how to be better with people' and ‘how to maximise response rates’ are vital clues that are likely to shape the future of market and social research." —Peter Harris, National President, Australian Market and Social Research Society (AMSRS) "It's hard to imagine anyone better suited to covering the rapidly changing world of online research than Ray Poynter. In this book he shows us why. Whether you are new to online or a veteran interested in broadening your understanding of the full range of techniques—quant and qual—this book is for you." —Reg Baker, President and Chief Operating Officer, Market Strategies International "Finally, a comprehensive handbook for practitioners, clients, suppliers and students that includes best practices, clear explanations, advice and cautionary warnings. This should be the research benchmark for online research for some time. Poynter proves he is the online market research guru." —Cam Davis, Ph.D., former Dean and current instructor of the online market research course for the Canadian Marketing Research and Intelligence Association "Ray Poynter's comprehensive, authoritative, easy to read, and knowledgeable handbook has come to our rescue ... it is a must read for anyone who needs to engage with customers or stakeholders in a creative, immediate and flexible way that makes maximum use of all the exciting, new technology now open to us. Market researchers need to know this stuff now. I can guarantee that anyone who buys the book will find it a compelling read: they will be constantly turning to the next page in order to find yet another nugget of insight from Ray’s tour de force." —Dr David Smith, Director, DVL Smith Ltd; Professor, University of Hertfordshire, Business School
Learn the fundamentals of market research with this bestselling guide that delivers an overview of the whole process, from planning a project and executing it, what tools to use, through to analysis and presenting the findings. Market Research in Practice provides a practical and robust introduction to the subject, providing a clear step-by-step guide to managing market research and how to effectively to obtain the most reliable results. Written by an industry expert with over 35 years' practical experience in running a successful market research agency, tips and advice are included throughout to ground the concepts in business reality. This text also benefits from real-world examples from companies including Adidas, Marks & Spencer, Grohe and General Motors. Now in its fourth edition, Market Research in Practice is now fully updated to capture the latest changes and developments in the field and explores new tools of qualitative research using online methods as well as expanding further on online surveys such as SurveyMonkey. Accompanied by a range of templates, surveys and resources for lecturers, this is an invaluable guide for students of research methods, researchers, marketers and users of market research.
Learn the techniques and practical tasks involved in designing and running a research project The Practice of Market Research: From Data to Insight, 5th edition, by McGivern offers a thorough introduction to the practice of market and social research. It is structured around the research process – from defining the problem to be researched to communicating the insight which the research produces. An ideal companion for a market research student or anyone doing a research project, the book takes you through data analytics and data mining in a market research context, in addition to explaining the ethical, legal and regulatory context in which research operates. The ‘Industry Insights’ draw real-world examples from successful market research projects in companies such as Formula One, BBC, IBM, PayPal, Twinings and Volvo. There are also examples of research on social issues including the COVID-19 pandemic, anti-social behaviour, HIV/AIDS, cancer support and many more. The new edition supports the MRS Advanced Certificate in Market and Social Research Practice. This is a great applied marketing research text that will be suitable for students going beyond the basics of research and learning about how marketing research works in practice Ben Lowe, Professor of Marketing, Kent Business School, University of Kent Marketing research clearly explained as a professional practice - with practical advice on issues to consider and ways forward - and as an academic discipline with methodological and theoretical concerns. Dr Philippa Ward, Reader in Services Marketing, University of Gloucestershire About the author: Yvonne McGivern has worked on both the agency and the client side and currently works as a consultant. She taught research methods at Queen’s University Belfast and at Trinity College Dublin. She is Joint Chief Examiner for the MRS Advanced Certificate in Market and Social Research Practice. Pearson, the world’s learning company.
