Survey Reasearch EOC Week 2

The US Market for Bath and Shower Products survey report reflects the 2005 market and its projection for the following tend over the next ten years to boost the sales of bath products and shower gels over bar soaps. The report methodology includes both primary meaning exploratory and secondary being descriptive research. “The report uses data from IRI, which tracks sales through retail channels (F/D/M, food stores, drug stores and mass-merchandisers). The mass-market sales figures discussed are estimated sales through different retail channels other than Wal-Mart. Based on half-yearly data for 2005, full year 2005 is estimated and projections up to 2010 have been made” (Netscribes, 2005).

The exploratory research was used to survey a sample of 24,136 U.S. adults, who represent a statistically accurate cross-section of the U.S. adult population. The consumer survey includes consumer attitudes towards different categories, brand preference and the frequency of purchase. The survey has been used to derive detailed demographic profiles of consumers using a particular product. This “exploratory research is conducted to clarify ambiguous situations or discover ideas that may be potential business opportunities. Exploratory research is not intended to provide conclusive evidence from which to determine a particular course of action” (Zikmundt & Babin,2010).

Then using “descriptive research, as the name implies, describes characteristics of objects, people, groups, organizations, or environments………” the research company “tries to paint a picture” of a given situation” (Zikmundt & Babin,2010).  That descriptive research addressed who, what, when, where, why, and how questions and the information that was gather in the research survey was then applied to the descriptive analysis to project the transformation or creation of new product from existing products that were being sold.

This survey did not include any casual studies.  I am sure it is because of the time line that was laid out in order to complete the study.  There was not enough time to complete one.