Nature and Role of Qualitative Market Research: An Alternative or a Complimentary Approach?

Authors

  •   Ankita Batra M.Com Graduate, Department of Commerce, Faculty of Commerce and Business, Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi, Delhi -110 007

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17010/ijom/2014/v44/i11/80113

Keywords:

Market Research Processes

, Qualitative Market Research, Quantitative Market Research, Triangulation

Paper Submission Date

, May 5, 2014, Paper sent back for Revision, July 2, Paper Acceptance Date, September 9, 2014.

Abstract

The purpose of this paper was to carry out an extensive review of qualitative market research and quantitative market research and comprehensively compare and contrast similarities and differences between the two. An extensive study of the concepts and practices of qualitative market research and quantitative market research is carried out from the literature. The findings identified that both research methodologies are very distinct based on their goals and techniques. A triangulation approach combining the two can lead to synergy in the research process. Another area where a need for cross fertilization is highlighted is between academic and applied practices to narrow the academic research divide.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Downloads

Published

2014-11-01

How to Cite

Batra, A. (2014). Nature and Role of Qualitative Market Research: An Alternative or a Complimentary Approach?. Indian Journal of Marketing, 44(11), 49–60. https://doi.org/10.17010/ijom/2014/v44/i11/80113

References

Amaratunga, D., Baldry, D., Sarshar, M., & Newton, R. (2002).Quantitative and qualitative research in the built environment: Application of “mixed†research approach. Work Study, 51(1), 17 - 31.

Ankers, P., & Brennan, R. (2002). Managerial relevance in academic research: An exploratory study. Marketing Intelligence & Planning, 20 (1), 15-21.

Arora, R., & Stoner, C.(2009) . A mixed method approach to understanding brand personality. Journal of Product & Brand Management, 18 (4), 272 - 283.

Baines, P.R., Brennan, R., Gill, M., & Mortimore, R. (2009). Examining the academic/commercial divide in marketing research. European Journal of Marketing, 43(11/12), 1289 - 1299.

Baxter, J., & Chua, W.F. (2008). The field researcher as author-writer. Qualitative Research in Accounting & Management, 5 (2), 101-121.

Cahill, D. J. (1996).When to use qualitative methods: A new approach. Marketing Intelligence & Planning, 14(6), 16 - 20.

Catterall, M. (1998). Academics, practitioners and qualitative market research. Qualitative Market Research: An International Journal, 1 (2), 69- 76.

Christy , R., & Wood, M. (1999) . Researching possibilities in marketing. Qualitative Market Research: An International Journal, 2 (3), 189 - 197.

Crosier, K. (2004). How effectively do marketing journals transfer useful learning from scholars to practitioners ? Marketing Planning & Intelligence, 22 (5), 540-556.

Das, T.H. (1983) .Qualitative research in organizational behavior. Journal of Management Studies, 20 (3), 301- 314. DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-6486.1983.tb00209.x

deRuyter, K., & Scholl, N. (1998). Positioning qualitative market research : Reflections from theory and practice. Qualitative Market Research: An International Journal, 1(1), 7-14.

Des Jarlais, D.C., Lyles,C., & Crepaz, N. (2004). Improving the reporting quality of non - randomized evaluations of behavioural and public health interventions: The TREND statement. American Journal of Public Health, 94(3), 361-366.

Eldabi, T., Irani, Z., Paul R. J., & Love P.E.D. ( 2002). Qualitative and quantitative decision making methods in simulation modeling. Management Decision, 40 (1) , 64-73.

Gabriel, C. (1990).The validity of qualitative market research. Journal of the Market Research Society, 32 (4), 507-519.

Gordon, W., & Langmaid, R. (1988). Qualitative market research: A practitioner's and buyer's guide. London : Gower.

Gummesson, E. (2005).Qualitative research in marketing: Road-map for a wilderness of complexity and unpredictability. European Journal of Marketing, 39(3/4), 309 - 327.

Harrison, R. L., & Reilly, T. M. (2011) . Mixed methods designs in marketing research. Qualitative Market Research: An International Journal, 14(1), 7- 26.

Hedges, A., & Robson, S. (1993). Analysis and interpretation of qualitative findings : Report of the MRS Qualitative Interest Group. Journal of the Market Research Society, 35 (1), 23-35.

Hogg, M. K., & Maclaran, P. (2008). Rhetorical issues in writing interpretivist consumer research. Qualitative Market Research: An International Journal, 11 (2), 130 - 146.

Irani, Z., Ezingeared, G.N., Grieve, R.J., & Race, P. (1999) . A case study strategy as part of a information systems research methodology : A critique. The International Journal of Computer Application and Technology, 12(2), 190-198.

Jick, T.D. (1983). Mixing qualitative and quantitative methods. In J. Van Maanen (Ed.), Qualitative methodology. London : Sage.

Jones, D. G., & Monieson, D.D. (1990). Early development of the philosophy of marketing thought. Journal of Marketing, 54 (1), 102-113.

Kapoulas, A., & Mitic, M.(2012). Understanding challenges of qualitative research: Rhetorical issues and reality traps. Qualitative Market Research: An International Journal, 15 (4), 354-368.24) Keegan, S., Tinsan, J., & Nancarrow,C. (2008). Bridging the practitioner-academic divide. Qualitative Market Research: An International Journal, 11(1), 107 - 112.

Lincoln, E.G. & Guba, Y.S. (1985). Competing paradigms in qualitative research. In N. Denzin & Y. Lincoln (Eds). Handbook of qualitative research (pp. 105 - 117). Thousand Oaks, CA : Sage.

Maclaran, P., & Catterall, M. (2002) . Analyzing qualitative data: Computer software and the market research practitioner. Qualitative Market Research: An International Journal, 5 (1), 28 - 39.

Malhotra, N.K. (2007). Marketing research: An applied orientation (5th ed.). Englewood Cliffs, NJ : Prentice-Hall International.

Malina, M.A., Hanne S.O., & Selto, N. F. H. (2011). Lessons learned: Advantages and disadvantages of mixed method research. Qualitative Research in Accounting & Management, 8(1), 59 - 71.

Miles, M.B., & Huberman, A.M. (1984). Qualitative data analysis. London : Sage.

Milliken, J. (2001). Qualitative research and marketing management. Management Decision, 39(1), 71-78.

Morgan, D.L., & Krueger, R.A. (1993). When to use focus groups and why. In D. L. Morgan (Ed.). Successful focus groups: Advancing the state of the art (pp. 3 -19). Newbury Park, CA : Sage.

Nancarrow, C., Barker, A., & Spackman, N. (2001). Informed eclecticism: A research paradigm for the twenty- first century. International Journal of Market Research, 43(1), 3-27.

Nancarrow, C., Moskvin, A., & Shankar, A. (1996). Bridging the great divide : The transfer of techniques . Marketing Intelligence and Planning , 14 (6), 27-37.

Ottesen, G. G., & Gronhaug, K. (2004). Barriers to practical use of academic marketing knowledge. Marketing Intelligence & Planning, 22 (5) , 520 - 530.

Pavia, T.M. (2006). Educating practitioners to value new marketing knowledge: A case study in executive education . Marketing Intelligence & Planning, 24 (3), 296 - 306.

Richards, T., & Richards, L. (1994) . Using computers in qualitative analysis : Handbook of qualitative analysis . Thousand Oaks , CA : Sage.

Robson, S., & Foster, A. (Eds.) (1989). Qualitative research in action. London : Edward Arnold.

Rossman, G.B., & Wilson, B.L. (1991). Numbers and Words revisited : Being “shamelessly eclecticâ€. Evaluation Review, 9 (5) , 627- 643.

Silverman, D. (1993). Interpreting qualitative data: Analyzing text, talk and interaction. London : Sage.

Southgate, N. (2006) .The academic-practitioner divide: Finding time to make a difference. Marketing Intelligence & Planning, 24 (6) , 547 - 551.

Stainback, S., & Stainback, W. (1988). Understanding and conducting qualitative research. Dubuque, IA : Kendall/Hunt.

Starkey, K., & Madan, P. (2001). Bridging the relevance gap: Aligning stakeholders in the future of management research. British Journal of Management, 12 (1), S3- S26. DOI: 10.1111/1467-8551.12.s1.2

Stavros, C., & Westberg,K. (2009). Using triangulation and multiple case studies to advance relationship marketing theory. Qualitative Market Research: An International Journal, 12 (3), 307 - 320.

Stenbacka, C. (2001). Qualitative research requires quality concepts of its own. Management Decision, 39 (7), 551-555.

Stenius, K., Mäkelä, K., Miovsky, M., & Gabrhelik, R. (2007). How to write publishable qualitative research. In T. F. Babor, S. Kerstin, and S. Savva (Eds.), Publishing addiction science: A guide for the perplexed (pp. 82 - 97). USA: ISAJE.

Strauss, A., & Corbin, J. (1990). Basics of qualitative research: Grounded theory procedures and techniques. London : Sage.

Sykes, W. (1991). Taking stock: Issues from the literature on validity and reliability in qualitative research. Journal of the Market Research Society, 33 (1), 3-12.

Weick, K.E. (1989). Theory construction as disciplined imagination. Academy of Management Review, 14 (4), 516- 531.

Yin, R.K. (1994). Case study research: Design and method (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA : Sage Publications.

Zellman, E., Blake, W.K., & Abell, W. (2010). Identifying consumer decision-making strategies using alternative methods. Qualitative Market Research: An International Journal, 13 ( 3), 271 - 286.