Qualitative research is commonly used for creative
problem solving. In business it is used for a multiplicity of purposes,
ranging from market research to brand development, business strategy,
and product development where underlying thoughts and emotions,
perceptions and experiences are taken into account. To this end,
ill-structured problems are approached open endedly with a creative
focus.
To this end, qualitative research is primarily
conducted for answering a range of questions involving insight into
underlying, innermost behaviors, attitudes, desires, preoccupations,
culture, value systems, and lifestyles. Answering questions about how
impressions are conveyed and how things are perceived helps businesses
attain competitive advantage: decision makers, answers; problem solvers,
solutions; and organizations success.
In market
research, for example, companies need to figure out what a consumer
likes or dislikes about a product and what guides consumers? Often
times, this insight is referred to as the black box of the consumer. In
fact, the consumer is often unaware of the subconscious processes that
influence their perceptions of a product/service. From the outset, such
questions may seem as simple as a deductive evaluation of attributes and
benefits; however, such quantitative thinking rarely formulates
decisions, impressions, or perceptions per se. Qualitative research is
designed to provide insight to the qualitative forces at play.
Central
to qualitative research is the art and science of creative problem
solving, where qualitative thinking takes place. Examples of such
qualitative research outcomes include mnemonic devices such as Mr.
Peanut, The Pillsbury Doughboy, Green Giant, and other iconic images.
Companies using qualitative research to better serve their clients
include, but are not limited to Motorola, Apple, Frito Lay, IBM, IDEO,
Google, and 3M. Applications involve brand creation, mnemonic device
design, innovation, problem discovery, idea generation and problem
solving in general.
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