You are a researcher studying the behavior of children on a playground to understand their social interaction patterns. Which of the following accurately describes observation as a method of data collection in this scenario without influencing their behavior through questioning? 

TechCo, a technology company, wants to assess the usability and user satisfaction of a new mobile app. It has the option to conduct either a laboratory experiment or a field experiment. What is a key advantage of a laboratory experiment over a field experiment?

FizzQuench, a soft drink manufacturer, wants to determine the impact of a new marketing campaign on sales. It tracks the sales performance before and after the campaign’s implementation. What kind of research does the company need to focus on?

A marketing manager has discovered that relevant, internal secondary data don’t exist to support a decision process. The next step the manager should take is to

General Mills has placed a new cake mix flavor in stores in Midland, Texas. It is promoting the flavor with a coupon offer in the local newspaper. It would like to see how the flavor sells in Midland before putting it in stores across the United States.  This type of research is called

Which type of research is concerned with determining cause-and-effect relationships?

Fashion Haven, a popular department store, offers a loyalty card program to its customers. The store aims to collect behavioral data regarding its customers’ shopping habits and preferences. How are behavioral data commonly collected at most retailers?

GlobeTech, a software development company, wants to optimize its mobile app’s onboarding process to improve user retention. It decides to conduct an A/B test by creating two different versions of the app’s onboarding screens. Version A includes a tutorial highlighting key features, while version B skips the tutorial but provides a brief introduction. What is the primary purpose of this A/B test? 

A market researcher at Insight Market Solutions, a consulting firm specializing in industry analysis, is seeking industry-specific information. How can the web sites of trade associations benefit the researcher at Insight Market Solutions?

If a researcher is interested in investigating whether or not consumers like a new packaging method for a particular product, the researcher should focus on measuring