Introduction
Smooth data collection process: When a research question is effectively written, it makes it easier for the respondents to answer. The research work will also be easier because the respondents will need very little clarification. This would result in a smooth data collection process. The research question can also be administered to the illiterate without any difficulty.
Cost-effectiveness: An effective research question is important in the sense that it reduces the cost of data analysis and interpretation (Soares 25). It facilitates accurate data collection, thus reducing errors, and makes analysis and interpretation easy and cost-effective.
Defines the problem properly: An effective research question will define the problem under investigation adequately (Zikmund and Babin 60). This will help the researcher conduct the study within the defined objectives.
Justification for writing an effective research question
Writing an effective research question is important because it helps to define the problem to be solved (Zikmund and Babin 60). It helps to cover the issues that are to be answered in the research. Such a problem may be whether to introduce a new product brand in the market or not.
Secondly, writing an effective research question helps to define the objective of the research. This is important because it gives the researcher the required guidelines to undertake the study concerning the scope.
Writing effective research questions
- The effective research question should be simple, direct, and clearly defined. You should choose words that are simple, and familiar to all the respondents (Gates 159). Avoid technical words or jargon that may be difficult for the respondent to understand. This is important in ensuring valid responses from the interviewees.
- The effective research question should avoid loaded or leading questions. Leading questions is a question that gives the respondent a clue to what to answer. It shows the opinion of the researcher, and this may lead to biasness (Gates 160). Loaded questions, on the other hand, are those that result in obvious answers.
- The effective research question should avoid double-barreled questions. This is a type of question that may put a respondent in a dilemma of answering it honestly. The respondents may only be able to answer one part of the question and disagree with the other.
- The effective research question should avoid vagueness and ambiguity. The research question should neither be vague, nor ambiguous. The researcher should provide a well-defined time frame of reference to avoid using words like often, sometimes, or occasionally.
Importance of defining and segmenting customer groups
Understand customers
Defining and segmenting customers is important because these enable one to understand customers better. This is achieved by creating profiles of various customer groups, which facilitate the development of better marketing programs that aim at meeting the needs of all customer groups.
Maximizing product potential
Defining and segmenting customer groups help to create an understanding of how different customer groups make use of the product, and what kind of product form gives them maximum utility (Zikmund and Babin 623). This may help you expand the market for your products.
Improve distribution network
You may also come up with more efficient distribution networks through defining and segmenting customer groups. Achieved by studying the behavior of different customer groups, a better understanding of what products attract customers is a benefit to your business.
Gain new clients
Through an effective segmentation of customer group, you can be able to improve the marketing strategies of your products, thereby attracting new customers to your business.
Works Cited
Gates, Roger. Marketing Research Essentials, London: Taylor & Francis, 1998. Print.
Soares, Eric. Cost-effective marketing research: a guide for marketing managers, New York: Quorum Books, 1988. Print.
Zikmund, William, and Barry Babin. Exploring Marketing Research, New York: Cengage Learning, 2006. Print.