Unit rationale, description and aim
Information is regarded as a strategic asset in marketing and an essential part of the marketing research process. This unit deals with the practical application of research strategies, methods, and techniques to gather, analyse and infer marketing data considering the dignity and cultural diversity of different stakeholders. This unit also helps marketing managers measure the core factors that drive marketing activity and analyse the consumers and organisation's performance outcomes. The success of organisations can lie in their access and usage of information, to develop competitive advantage. Information has to be gathered by employing appropriate market research that enforces respondents' dignity, cultural diversity, and wellbeing. Marketing research involves the creative and technical approaches to convert unexplained phenomena to useful information about customers, competitors and regulations in local and international markets. This useful information in turn, helps marketers to make smart and informed decisions.
The aim of this unit is to prepare students for marketing research roles and assist them to develop skills and knowledge in managing market research data to make strategic and tactical decisions conforming to high ethical standards.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Identify and explain the key approaches to the use...
Learning Outcome 01
Make use of relevant information to address a mark...
Learning Outcome 02
Apply the methods of market research in a way not ...
Learning Outcome 03
Analyse and interpret marketing research data
Learning Outcome 04
Apply relevant marketing research techniques and t...
Learning Outcome 05
Content
Topics will include:
- Difference between management and marketing problems.
- Solving marketing problems in the real-world considering stakeholders' dignity and cultural diversity (e.g., indigenous populations)
- The marketing research process for problem-solving
- Data, sampling, and collection methods
- Measures and hypothesis development science
- Quantitative techniques to solve a real-world marketing problem using SPSS (latest version)
- Qualitative techniques
- Writing and presenting the findings for marketing decision-makers.
Assessment strategy and rationale
In order to pass this unit, students are required to attempt all three assessment tasks and achieve an aggregate mark of at least 50%. Marking of each assessment task will be in accordance with rubrics specifically developed to measure student level of achievement of the learning outcomes for each assessment item. Students will be awarded a final grade which signifies their overall achievement in the unit.
The assessment strategy for this unit allows participants to sequentially develop their knowledge and skills in marketing research to the point where they can conduct, interpret and report the findings of marketing research undertaken to resolve a marketing problem or to uncover a marketing opportunity in a real-world scenario. In order to develop this level of capability, students will need to demonstrate knowledge about marketing research, including research design, information collection design, data collection and interpretation.
The assessment tasks for this unit are designed for students to demonstrate their achievement of each learning outcome as indicated in the following Assessment Table.
Overview of assessments
Assessment Task 1: Marketing Research Problem Th...
Assessment Task 1: Marketing Research Problem
This assessment consists of 1000 words report that highlights the broader marketing problem (e.g., poor performance of a brand) presented by a real-world firm's marketing manager. Students will undertake a literature review, scan information from industrial and trade magazines, or consult external sources to dig out the nature, intensity and possible reasons that cause the marketing problem to occur.
Submission Type: Individual
Assessment Method: Diagnostic Report
Artefact: Written report
30%
Assessment 2. Proposed research design and data c...
Assessment 2. Proposed research design and data collection tool (questionnaire)
This assessment requires students to make a 10-minute video presentation keeping in view the problem that they have identified and justified in the first assessment. In addition to a proposed research design, students will also develop a data collection instrument (i.e., a questionnaire). Students need to consider the dignity and cultural diversity (e.g. indigenous populations) of stakeholders while developing the research design and data collection instrument.
Submission Type: Group
Assessment Method: Group Presentation
Artefact: Video presentation with slides
30%
Assessment Task 3: Data analysis and final report...
Assessment Task 3: Data analysis and final report
Students will be provided both quantitative and qualitative dataset by the lecturer with a brief about the variables of interest. Students will analyse quantitative data and make decisions from descriptive and inferential analysis.
In addition, students will be required to analyse qualitative data. As an outcome of data analysis, students will develop a report consisting of not more than 1500 words.
Submission Type: Individual
Assessment Method: Analytical report
Artefact: Written report
40%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
The learning and teaching strategy is based on student engagement in the learning process by participation in workshops and in practical activities designed for each workshop. These workshops support students to actively participate in the construction and synthesis of knowledge both individually and in small groups. By taking part in these workshops, students will systematically develop their understanding of the key aspects of marketing research and build skills in marketing research. Students will be involved in a practical data collection and interpretation project to experience the various issues in designing and conducting a marketing research project and writing and presenting marketing research findings. The experiential approach underpinning the learning and teaching strategy for this unit extends to practical analytical approaches used in marketing research based on 'real world' examples.
Mode of delivery: This unit is offered in different modes. These are: "Attendance" mode, "Mixed" mode and "Online" mode. This unit is offered in three modes to cater to the learning needs and preferences of a range of participants and maximise effective participation for isolated and/or marginalised groups.
Attendance Mode
In a weekly attendance mode, students will require face-to-face attendance in specific physical location/s. Students will have face-to-face interactions with lecturer(s) to further their achievement of the learning outcomes. This unit is structured with required upfront preparation before workshops, most students report that they spend an average of one hour preparing before the workshop and one or more hours after the workshop practicing and revising what was covered. The online learning platforms used in this unit provide multiple forms of preparatory and practice opportunities for you to prepare and revise.
Mixed-Mode
In a mixed-mode, students will require intermittent face-to-face attendance determined by the School. Students will have face-to-face interactions with lecturer(s) to further their achievement of the learning outcomes. This unit is structured with required upfront preparation before workshops. The online learning platforms used in this unit provide multiple forms of preparatory and practice opportunities for you to prepare and revise.
Online Mode
In an online mode, students are given the opportunity to attend facilitated synchronous online seminar classes with other students and participate in the construction and synthesis of knowledge, while developing their knowledge. Students are required to participate in a series of online interactive workshops which include activities, knowledge checks, discussion and interactive sessions. This approach allows flexibility for students and facilitates learning and participation for students with a preference for virtual learning.