MKTG 446
MARKETING RESEARCH

1. Catalog Entry

MKTG 446. Marketing Research
Three hours lecture (3).

Prerequisites:  STAT 200 and MKTG 340

This course focuses on the uses and applications of marketing research as an input to the marketing management decision process. Specifically, the course uses a semester-long, project-oriented approach to engage students in all aspects of the marketing research process, from problem definition through management recommendations based on the results of students’ research.

2. Detailed Description of Content of the Course

Successful marketing requires a firm to understand and satisfy the wants, needs, and desires of its market constituencies. To do this successfully a firm needs data that is relevant, timely, and accurate. This data must also be transformed into information that is actionable in terms of marketing decision-making. The combination of collecting data and transforming it into information takes place during the marketing research process. This course covers the following topics:

• The marketing research process and its uses in organizations
• Problem identification and definition
• The collection and uses of secondary data
• Research design selection and application (exploratory, descriptive, and causal)
• Attitude, behavior and opinion measurement
• Questionnaire design and development
• Sampling
• Fieldwork
• Data analysis
• Written and oral communication of research findings, conclusions, and recommendations
• Ethical considerations in marketing research

3. Detailed Description of Conduct of the Course

This course emphasizes an applied approach with practical applications that give students a solid understanding of the
field of marketing research. In addition to being responsible for learning text material, students are required to design and execute a semester-long research project of manageable size, by developing a research proposal, designing data collection instruments (e.g. surveys), collecting and analyzing data, and preparing and presenting both oral and written reports of their research findings, and recommendations.

4. Goals and Objectives of the Course

At the completion of the course, the student will be able to:
1. understand each of the stages of the marketing research process, as well as the role of marketing research in an organization
2. identify a managerial problem and translate it into a research problem
3. differentiate between different types of research designs and know when to apply each type.
4. understand the different levels of data and measurement and how to appropriately apply each type
5. design and develop effective questionnaires
6. choose an appropriate sampling strategy and be able to calculate an appropriate sample size
7. choose the appropriate analysis technique and be able to analyze data using a statistical software program
8. interpret the results of their data analyses
9. derive recommended courses of action based on research findings
10. professionally communicate marketing research results, orally and in writing

5. Assessment Measures

Assessment of the student's success in the course is based on performance on exams, the research project, and participation

6. Other Course Information
7. Review and Approval

DATE ACTION APPROVED BY
12-01-2006, reviewed and approved by the Dept. of Marketing faculty