The Art and Science of Interpreting Market Research Evidence - Hardcover

Smith, D. V. L.; Fletcher, J. H.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0470844248 ISBN 13: 9780470844243

Publisher: Wiley, 2004

Synopsis

The Art and Science of Interpreting Market Research Evidence offers a complete account of the way today's researchers interpret evidence and apply it to decision making. David Smith and Jonathan Fletcher show how to assess your current deciphering processes, and present an innovative framework integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches for analysing complex data-sets. With its holistic approach to interpretation and its 10-step process for making it work in practice, this book will equip you with a deep understanding of data analysis and ultimately improve your judgment to produce better business decisions.

"This is modern commercial research, where the mind of the researcher is finally acknowledged as admissible data. Prior knowledge, pragmatism, experience are all robust grist to the 'holistic' research mill. A must-read for anyone getting to grips with 21st century market research." Virginia Valentine, Semiotic Solutions

About this title

About the Author

David Smith is Chairman of the Incepta Marketing Intelligence Group, a leading strategic marketing intelligence organization, and a Professor at the University of Hertfordshire Business School. He is a Fellow and former Chairman of the Market Research Society (MRS), and also a Silver Medal holder of the MRS. He has received Best Paper Awards for papers presented at Market Research Society and ESOMAR events. He is a member of the British Psychological Society; the Chartered Institute of Marketing; and the Institute of Management Consultants. His doctorate in Organizational Psychology is from Bareback College, University of London.


Jonathan Fletcher is a Director of DVL Smith Ltd, one of the strategic research businesses within the Incepta Marketing Intelligence Group. He holds a research degree in philosophy from the University of Cambridge. He has given a number of papers at various industry conferences, and won the Best Methodological Paper Award at the 1999 ESOMAR Congress.

From the Back Cover

This book provides the following 10-step guide to the art and science of interpreting qualitative and quantitative market research evidence and successfully applies this to business decision-making.

1. Analyzing the right problem

2. Understanding the big information picture

3. Compensating for imperfect data

4. Developing an effective analysis strategy

5. Establishing the interpretation boundary

6. Applying the 'knowledge filters'

7. 'Re-framing' the data

8. Presenting the research evidence as a narrative

9. Facilitating informed decision-making

10. Learning from successful practice

This book is supported by a ten-module training course consisting of a series of PowerPoint presentation charts. This also includes case studies that will be helpful to University lecturers and those responsibl e for training new graduates entering the mark et research industry, on either the client or agency side.

"This is modern commercial research, where the mind of the researcher is finally acknowledged as admissible data. Prior knowledge, pragmatism, experience are all robust grist to the 'holistic' research mill. A must-read textbook for anyone getting to grips with 21st century market research."
--Virginia Valentine, Semiotic Solutions

"This book enables both the research client and practitioner to think more clearly about how different strands of 'research' can work together through a unifying analytical approach. Although designed as a teaching and development resource, the underlying thinking makes refreshing reading for all those supplying or using market research."
--Leslie Sopp, Head of Research, Institute of Chartered Accountants, Chairman, Association of Users of Research Agencies

"This book is aimed at newcomers to market research; however, Smith and Fletcher's approach to their subject can teach us all some new lessons. I was particularly impressed by the weight of theoretical and practical evidence they assemble to underpin their arguments at every turn and, as two of the most respected researchers in the industry, see it as their responsibility to share that knowledge with others in as highly accessible a form as possible."
--Nigel Culkin FMRS, Associate, Dean (Business Partnerships, University of Hertfordshire)

From the Inside Flap

Newcomers to market research should welcome this book. It provides an easy to follow account of the way today’s market researchers – working in an holistic way across both qualitative and quantitative evidence - now interpret and apply evidence to the decision-making process. The book will be particularly helpful to those responsible for training agency and client staff in ‘new’ market research, and for lecturers keen to include practical accounts of how the industry is now operating.

Edition details

• Publisher: Wiley
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0470844248
• ISBN 13: 9780470844243
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 256