Sunday, January 16, 2011
Looking for a Job?
I am. But I found an article that can point us all in the right direction.... or at least attempt to...
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Final Post
This week, for our final post, we are to comment on two classmate's blogs. I can't believe how fast the semester went by. I also can't believe that I am almost a second semester senior. Ah!
Anyways, the first entry that looked interesting to me was Brittany's blog post on experimental research. In this entry, she wrote on flash mobs and what they are all about. Interestingly enough, there is an actual definition for a flash mob. According to Google, it is "a large group of people who assemble suddenly into a public place, perform and unusual and pointless act for a brief time, and then quickly disperse." It seems as if they are done in order to raise awareness about a specific topic or issue. This seems like such a cool thing. Also, these have been taking place all over the country at various college campuses and at other locations, like train stations.
Brittany then connected this to research because she mentioned that these all started as a means of social networking experiment. Brittany goes on to explain that this man, Bill, created this first idea by inviting his friends to some type of show, just something to do. But, it turns out that the main point of Bill's experiment was to see how many people he could get to come a show expecting one thing, that would turn into something completely different, a flash mob. His idea is that the people themselves, would become the show. What a cool idea! I had no clue this kind of stuff was going on.
I liked the way Brittany connected this to research by then mentioning that they use both observation and content analysis as a means of evaluating how "successful" the flash mob was in attracting attention or media coverage.
The next blog I read was Rachel's blog. I read her entry on a new experiment that Google is conducting. It seems like such a cool experiment. According to Rachel's entry, Google plans to "build and test ultra high-speed broadband networks" in a few "trial locations" across the country. The corporation is interested in having a trial period for delivering internet at speeds 100 times faster (than most Americans have access to) to "at least 50,000 and potentially up to 500,000 people." The goal is to "experiment with new ways to help make Internet access better and faster for everyone."
This seems so cool. I wonder how they will go about choosing which Americans they plan to test this on? The fact that Google even has the ability to do this, to just make the Internet faster, is crazy!
Anyways, the first entry that looked interesting to me was Brittany's blog post on experimental research. In this entry, she wrote on flash mobs and what they are all about. Interestingly enough, there is an actual definition for a flash mob. According to Google, it is "a large group of people who assemble suddenly into a public place, perform and unusual and pointless act for a brief time, and then quickly disperse." It seems as if they are done in order to raise awareness about a specific topic or issue. This seems like such a cool thing. Also, these have been taking place all over the country at various college campuses and at other locations, like train stations.
Brittany then connected this to research because she mentioned that these all started as a means of social networking experiment. Brittany goes on to explain that this man, Bill, created this first idea by inviting his friends to some type of show, just something to do. But, it turns out that the main point of Bill's experiment was to see how many people he could get to come a show expecting one thing, that would turn into something completely different, a flash mob. His idea is that the people themselves, would become the show. What a cool idea! I had no clue this kind of stuff was going on.
I liked the way Brittany connected this to research by then mentioning that they use both observation and content analysis as a means of evaluating how "successful" the flash mob was in attracting attention or media coverage.
The next blog I read was Rachel's blog. I read her entry on a new experiment that Google is conducting. It seems like such a cool experiment. According to Rachel's entry, Google plans to "build and test ultra high-speed broadband networks" in a few "trial locations" across the country. The corporation is interested in having a trial period for delivering internet at speeds 100 times faster (than most Americans have access to) to "at least 50,000 and potentially up to 500,000 people." The goal is to "experiment with new ways to help make Internet access better and faster for everyone."
This seems so cool. I wonder how they will go about choosing which Americans they plan to test this on? The fact that Google even has the ability to do this, to just make the Internet faster, is crazy!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Experimental Research
This research method can be pretty interesting. Here, there is an actual experiment that is done on people with there being some treatment that respondents are subjected to and then the results are measured. There needs to be a control group that is compared to the experimental group. Why? Well with no starting group, there would be no way to make sure that only one variable is being tested.
There are two types of experiments that can be done. One is a blind study where participants don't know what group (experimental or control) they are in. The other is double blind where no one, including the researchers, knows which group people are in.
The main goal of an experiment is to isolate the independent variable in order to measure the results.
In regards to an experiment that was done in the real world, I found an article about an experiment that was done at a winery in France to test people's responses to genetically modified vines.
Of course this study has to do with wine, being that it takes place in France.
Basically, the article is about this group of French activists who went to this winery to destroy all of the GM vines. They argue that these GM crops have not been fully tested for safety.
However, as quoted in the article, this experiment was
It is interesting that although this at first seems like a scientific experiment, it actually has more to do with PR than you may have thought.
There are two types of experiments that can be done. One is a blind study where participants don't know what group (experimental or control) they are in. The other is double blind where no one, including the researchers, knows which group people are in.
The main goal of an experiment is to isolate the independent variable in order to measure the results.
In regards to an experiment that was done in the real world, I found an article about an experiment that was done at a winery in France to test people's responses to genetically modified vines.
Of course this study has to do with wine, being that it takes place in France.
Basically, the article is about this group of French activists who went to this winery to destroy all of the GM vines. They argue that these GM crops have not been fully tested for safety.
However, as quoted in the article, this experiment was
more about corporations and public relations than science. The vines GMO field test was more of a sociological experiment, to see how far a profession and a population were willing to perform tests designed to endorse the PGM [Genetically Modified Plants]...while more research is needed, GM vines hold the key to fighting off pathogens. Leading viticultural scientists agree.
It is interesting that although this at first seems like a scientific experiment, it actually has more to do with PR than you may have thought.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
The Survey Says...
Surveys. They are the most popular quantitative method of research used. Not only that, but they are also very popular in the academic world. Why?
They are cheap. Not only that, but you are also able to get a lot of responses rather quickly and the data is relatively easy to analyze. Not to mention, they are much easier to conduct than performing something like ethnographic research.
That is why when companies need to get a lot of data quickly, they usually conduct a survey.
I found an article from PR Newswire that talks about Europeans' interest and engagement with sports. The European version of the U.S. study (from 1994) will provide sponsors, leagues, and the media with valuable insights about the impact that sports has on consumers and the role it plays in their lives.
The initial results were based on 500 online interviews conducted in January 2010 in each of the following countries: France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK.
The article quotes Robert Fox who is Senior VP of Sport & Sponsorship research at TNS North America. He says,
Also quoted in the article is Artie Bulgrin, Senior VP at ESPN. He said, "The Sports Poll is unique in that it provides in-depth intelligence about the impact that sports has on the population with respect to involvement, media usage, and consumer behavior. The monthly Sports Poll tracking in the US helps us identify trends that ultimately affect media and advertising performance. We are enthusiastic about what we can all learn in Europe now."
They are cheap. Not only that, but you are also able to get a lot of responses rather quickly and the data is relatively easy to analyze. Not to mention, they are much easier to conduct than performing something like ethnographic research.
That is why when companies need to get a lot of data quickly, they usually conduct a survey.
I found an article from PR Newswire that talks about Europeans' interest and engagement with sports. The European version of the U.S. study (from 1994) will provide sponsors, leagues, and the media with valuable insights about the impact that sports has on consumers and the role it plays in their lives.
The initial results were based on 500 online interviews conducted in January 2010 in each of the following countries: France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK.
The article quotes Robert Fox who is Senior VP of Sport & Sponsorship research at TNS North America. He says,
"Companies have tools to measure specific aspects of their sports business, like television ratings and media exposure programs. These are important, but they do not tell the whole story... this study offers brands a 10,000-meter vantage point to assess their target markets across the entire sports landscape."This is interesting to see their reasons for using a survey to collect their data.
Also quoted in the article is Artie Bulgrin, Senior VP at ESPN. He said, "The Sports Poll is unique in that it provides in-depth intelligence about the impact that sports has on the population with respect to involvement, media usage, and consumer behavior. The monthly Sports Poll tracking in the US helps us identify trends that ultimately affect media and advertising performance. We are enthusiastic about what we can all learn in Europe now."
Here are some sample questions from the survey they used:
- Which sports offer the best opportunities to reach a specific target market?
- What is the true consumer profile of a sports fan? How intense is their fandom? To what extent does an emerging sport have potential to grow? Should my company be an early adopter?
- How does our property stack up against other sports? Who is paying most attention? Is my company in the right countries? What opportunities are we missing?
Monday, October 25, 2010
This Week...
...we are to comment on what some of our classmates are saying in their blogs.
In looking through the blogs, I came across Lindsey's blog, and read her entry on qualitative research.
Lindsey clearly understand this concept and gave a great example from her own experience. She interned for NBC News and part of her job was to listen to a hotline where viewers would call about their feelings towards the MSNBC programs. She did mention that they did get their fair share of "crazies" who would call everyday, trying to send the perfect design to fix the oil spill. However, Lindsey did say that it was a great way to get feedback from the viewers.
Lindsey then goes on to talk about how NBC uses qualitative research. Lindsey found that NBC research was "created to estimate the demand for television commercial time during the upfront market. The upfront market is a brief period in late May when the television networks sell a majority of their on-air advertising inventory." This is interesting for the simple fact that NBC uses qualitative research to better their own company. They collect data on advertising spending by industry, company, advertising media type (TV, print, radio, billboards, etc.), broadcast network, and advertising agency.
The next blog I read was Lisa's. I also read her entry on qualitative research. I especially enjoyed reading the section she wrote when she discussed the MTV show, The World of Jenks. Personally, I love this show. She discussed how in this show, he is actually conducting ethnographic research, a method of qualitative research. The show is fascinating because Jenks physically puts himself into different environments each week to tries and observe and understand the culture. Jenks interacts with people that range from homeless to star rappers. If you haven't seen the show yet, you have to watch it!
I really liked how Lisa related something that can appear boring to a topic that is easy to understand and is in fact, interesting.
In looking through the blogs, I came across Lindsey's blog, and read her entry on qualitative research.
Lindsey clearly understand this concept and gave a great example from her own experience. She interned for NBC News and part of her job was to listen to a hotline where viewers would call about their feelings towards the MSNBC programs. She did mention that they did get their fair share of "crazies" who would call everyday, trying to send the perfect design to fix the oil spill. However, Lindsey did say that it was a great way to get feedback from the viewers.
Lindsey then goes on to talk about how NBC uses qualitative research. Lindsey found that NBC research was "created to estimate the demand for television commercial time during the upfront market. The upfront market is a brief period in late May when the television networks sell a majority of their on-air advertising inventory." This is interesting for the simple fact that NBC uses qualitative research to better their own company. They collect data on advertising spending by industry, company, advertising media type (TV, print, radio, billboards, etc.), broadcast network, and advertising agency.
The next blog I read was Lisa's. I also read her entry on qualitative research. I especially enjoyed reading the section she wrote when she discussed the MTV show, The World of Jenks. Personally, I love this show. She discussed how in this show, he is actually conducting ethnographic research, a method of qualitative research. The show is fascinating because Jenks physically puts himself into different environments each week to tries and observe and understand the culture. Jenks interacts with people that range from homeless to star rappers. If you haven't seen the show yet, you have to watch it!
I really liked how Lisa related something that can appear boring to a topic that is easy to understand and is in fact, interesting.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Qualitative Research: Focus Groups
So this week I found a very interesting website. It is about a qualitative fieldwork facility located in Paris called the Louvre Focus Group.
It is a company that provides various focus group services including different rooms to conduct your focus group, a translation service, and moderating group sessions.
The actual website is very well done and it looks like a very luxurious place. (Though I did note that no prices are listed on the website itself, which makes me think this is most likely a very pricey service.)
I had no idea that something like this actually existed, but it makes sense. I thought that focus groups would just be conducted at the company's location. However, this makes much more sense. These facilities are equipped with everything from rooms with two-way mirrors to leather couches to LCD televisions. It makes the focus group experience an enjoyable one! I would also imagine that conducting your focus group at a neutral location can cut down on biased responses from the participants.
Something else I liked about the website is there is an option for a virtual visit, which makes the space look even more impressive.
I would assume that this facility makes it very easy for your focus group to be successful. They can provide an unbiased moderator to get the group talking to each other. The rooms are extremely conducive to allowing the participants to talk to each other very easily as they have comfortable furniture as well as food provided.
Overall, a facility like this one in Paris would make the focus group easier to conduct and would make getting good results much more possible.
It is a company that provides various focus group services including different rooms to conduct your focus group, a translation service, and moderating group sessions.
The actual website is very well done and it looks like a very luxurious place. (Though I did note that no prices are listed on the website itself, which makes me think this is most likely a very pricey service.)
I had no idea that something like this actually existed, but it makes sense. I thought that focus groups would just be conducted at the company's location. However, this makes much more sense. These facilities are equipped with everything from rooms with two-way mirrors to leather couches to LCD televisions. It makes the focus group experience an enjoyable one! I would also imagine that conducting your focus group at a neutral location can cut down on biased responses from the participants.
Something else I liked about the website is there is an option for a virtual visit, which makes the space look even more impressive.
I would assume that this facility makes it very easy for your focus group to be successful. They can provide an unbiased moderator to get the group talking to each other. The rooms are extremely conducive to allowing the participants to talk to each other very easily as they have comfortable furniture as well as food provided.
Overall, a facility like this one in Paris would make the focus group easier to conduct and would make getting good results much more possible.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
What Other People are Saying...
In reading through the other blogs this week, I found some interesting entries.
One of which was Sacha's entry on research results. Sacha's focus is non-profit organizations. So, in this entry, she discusses the importance of research in this field. I have always found non-profit organizations interesting. It seems like a lot of hard work, but also extremely rewarding.
Sacha is correct when she says that "research needs to be conducted in order for the organization to find who is donating and why. Research is also important to see what the company needs to improve and what areas they need to be focusing on. In addition, research helps nonprofits see who needs help and in what ways. The most important part of the research process is the results because this helps nonprofits continue successfully in the future."
Sacha then goes on to talk about Habitat for Humanity. She talks about how influential research can be for this specific organization. Sacha says, "the results of the research are extremely important for Habitat for Humanity. It helps them spread their message of the importance of affordable housing. It also shows that if people donate or volunteer to build the houses that they will directly be aiding members of the society. Thus the research can help in gaining more donations, which will help in buying building supplies." Habitat for Humanity does so much good in so many communities.
The next blog I read was Sam's blog. Specifically her post about the new movie, The Social Network. This is the new movie about the founding of Facebook. It was really interesting how Sam related this to unobtrusive research. She mentions,
"he (Zuckerberg) saw that people loved being able to see pictures and feeling connected with friends. Each week Facebook would expand because of his unobtrusive research. Without him asking other students he was able to amplify by adding different applications and fields. Zuckerberg was not directly asking for advice and was not intruding on Facebook followers asking what they liked or did not like, he was able observe and expand his network by observations and indirect measures."
It is cool that even the development of Facebook used forms of unobtrusive research.
One of which was Sacha's entry on research results. Sacha's focus is non-profit organizations. So, in this entry, she discusses the importance of research in this field. I have always found non-profit organizations interesting. It seems like a lot of hard work, but also extremely rewarding.
Sacha is correct when she says that "research needs to be conducted in order for the organization to find who is donating and why. Research is also important to see what the company needs to improve and what areas they need to be focusing on. In addition, research helps nonprofits see who needs help and in what ways. The most important part of the research process is the results because this helps nonprofits continue successfully in the future."
Sacha then goes on to talk about Habitat for Humanity. She talks about how influential research can be for this specific organization. Sacha says, "the results of the research are extremely important for Habitat for Humanity. It helps them spread their message of the importance of affordable housing. It also shows that if people donate or volunteer to build the houses that they will directly be aiding members of the society. Thus the research can help in gaining more donations, which will help in buying building supplies." Habitat for Humanity does so much good in so many communities.
The next blog I read was Sam's blog. Specifically her post about the new movie, The Social Network. This is the new movie about the founding of Facebook. It was really interesting how Sam related this to unobtrusive research. She mentions,
"he (Zuckerberg) saw that people loved being able to see pictures and feeling connected with friends. Each week Facebook would expand because of his unobtrusive research. Without him asking other students he was able to amplify by adding different applications and fields. Zuckerberg was not directly asking for advice and was not intruding on Facebook followers asking what they liked or did not like, he was able observe and expand his network by observations and indirect measures."
It is cool that even the development of Facebook used forms of unobtrusive research.
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