scientific method

(noun)

The scientific method is a body of techniques for acquiring new knowledge or correcting and integrating previous knowledge. To be termed scientific, a method of inquiry must be based on empirical and measurable evidence subject to specific principles of reasoning.

Related Terms

Examples of scientific method in the following topics:

  • Defining Objectives and Formulating Problems

    • Marketing research uses the scientific method in that data are collected and analyzed to test prior notions or hypotheses.

  • Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research

    • Quantitative research is generally conducted using scientific methods, which can include:
    • Qualitative methods produce information only on the particular cases studied, and any more general conclusions are only hypotheses.
    • Unlike quantitative methods which are used to identify patterns and make predictions, qualitative research aims to explain behavior.
    • The qualitative method investigates the why and how of consumer behavior, not just what, where, when.
    • Hence, smaller but focused samples are more often needed than the large samples required of quantitative methods.

  • Collecting Data

    • Marketing research uses the scientific method in that data are collected and analyzed to test prior notions or hypotheses.

  • Promotional Methods

    • Promotional methods in business-to-business (B2B) marketing differ from those of business-to-consumer (B2C) brands due to the specific needs and variables comprising the industrial business market.
    • B2B businesses use promotional methods unique to the industrial business market.
    • Differentiate between the promotional methods and tools used in B2B versus B2C marketing

  • Methods for Evaluating Marketing Performance

    • Organizations use various methods to evaluate marketing key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics.
    • The methods for evaluating the performance of, and responses to, these materials range from simple calculations measuring return on investment, to tallying the number of visits to a website.

  • Concept Testing

    • Concept testing is the process of using quantitative and qualitative methods to evaluate consumer response to a product idea prior to the introduction of a product to the market.
    • Nor did the traditional methods quantify the relationships between concepts and existing products offered in the same consumer market.
    • One such method is conjoint analysis and another is choice modeling.
    • Using focus groups to generate user feedback is one method of going about concept testing.
    • Explain concept testing, its disadvantages, and alternative methods used to evaluate consumer behavior toward new concepts

  • Social Responsibility and Welfare of Customers

    • Recent scientific data pointing to climate change and dwindling natural resources, as well as concerns over human rights, have promoted companies to recognize its societal role and act to benefit society at large.

  • Digital Surveys

    • These surveys are a type of Online Research Method (ORM).
    • This method is also cheaper to use, because there are fewer costs incurred from buying paper, printing materials or paying postage.

  • Researching Using Digital Media

    • Online research methods enable researchers to use increasingly sophisticated digital tools to collect data via the Internet.
    • Many of these online research methods are related to existing research methodologies, but re-invent and re-think them within the scope of digital technologies, rules and media associated with the internet.
    • Specific types of research methods that incorporate digital media include:

  • Profit

    • If the sole objective of a firm is to maximize profit, there are various profit maximizing pricing methods that can be used.
    • There are several methods to maximizing profits: