BMO6630 Business Research Methods and Guide -

The questionnaire contains both open-ended and close-ended questions. The 13 close-ended multiple-choice questions (MCQs) are developed to acquire quantitative data, which is essential for statistical and ratio analysis. On the other hand, the answers to the open-ended questions are expected to help in interpreting the quantified data, as they would provide a detailed understanding of the choices that the respondents made during filling up the survey questionnaire.

Foxall (2014) explained that through the systematic representation and interpretation of the quantitative data acquired through close-ended multiple-choice questions, patterns in the responses can be identified in the responses. This might be helpful particularly in this research to understand the socio-cultural implications of the conspicuous consumption of the Australian travellers. However, Sekaran and Bougie (2016) opined that the questions that are open-ended provide the opportunity of gathering knowledge of the first-hand experience of the respondents in details. Therefore, to understand the choices that the respondents made and more importantly to understand the attitude of Australian travellers towards conspicuous consumption 6 open-ended questions are introduced in the questionnaire.

Scaling of answer

For the close-ended questions, several different types of rating and ranking scales have been used. These scales include interval scales such as the Likert scale, semantic differential scale; ordinal scale, and nominal scale. Nominal scale due to its ability to put individuals or the options in unrelated groups is useful in acquiring demographic data, which later helps in identifying the response patterns specific to a particular demographic segment (Hill & Alexander, 2017). Such questions are also known as the classification questions, due to their ability to classify the respondents in separate groups. This scale has been used to developing options for question number 3, which avail an insight to the social features of the respondents. On the other hand ratio scale is used in question 1, 2 and 4 which helped in overcoming the disadvantage of arbitrary origin issue of the nominal scale.

The Likert scale, on the other hand, helps in measuring the degree of agreement of a respondent to a particular statement (Tuskej, Golob & Podnar, 2013). This scale is used in question number 7, 8 and 10 to identify the participants’ perception of the price, prestige and social pressure associated with conspicuous consumption. Dichotomous scale has been used for the question number 6, while the semantic differential scale is used for question 6A and 12. The semantic differential scale enables the respondent to choose a position between two opposing opinions or possibilities (Sekaran & Bougie, 2016). A six-point scale is used for the question 6B while 9 is an example of ordinal scale.

Steps in designing questionnaire 

The following figure avails an insight to the steps that have been followed to design and develop the questionnaire:

For the development of the questionnaire, first, a detailed idea of the conspicuous consumption has been gathered to understand its causes that are enlisted in the already published academic literature. This provided guidance for the formation of options and research question. For instance, Kastanakis and Balabanis (2014) provided the understanding that prestige and social perception is crucial while taking decision concerning conspicuous consumption. Conversely, Correia, Kozak and Reis (2016) suggested that price of the product, though often is perceived as the factor of prestige when associated with the purchase ability of the consumer, is not the direct factor that determines the aspect of prestige. Brand image plays a more significant role while determining such purchase decision. Study of the literature also provided the understanding that nonverbal, behavioural pressure, in part of the peers and social groups, plays crucial role in determining the consumption behaviour in case of conspicuous consumption. Such aspects along with the recent data on the average income or social groups of Australian citizens have been gathered and studied for development of demographic questions (Australia's household income and wealth distribution n.d. and Murphy, 2017).

Once the theoretical and market-specific information is gathered different types of survey questionnaires, question scales and question types have been studied. Different scales for multiple-choice, close-ended questions have been studied, understanding of which helped in choosing the appropriate scales for the questions.

Once the required academic knowledge is gathered, the 19 questions, including the 13 close-ended and the 6 open-ended, were developed along with the suitably scaled options for the close-ended questions. Among these 19 questions, 13 are main, independent questions, while 6 are subordinate questions that are provided to acquire a detailed insight into some of the questions. These questions were reviewed, rectified and tested for development of the final questionnaire.  

Conclusion

This report has summarised the structure and development of the questionnaire. It has also provided a scope to explain questions and scales used in the questionnaire to acquire answers. The report has provided an insight into the importance of secondary information in development of a systematic and effective of acquiring the primary data. As the questionnaire is developed to investigate the demographic, cultural, environmental and experiential motivation for conspicuous consumption among the domestic and international travellers of Australia the questions are developed to investigate these specific aspects of the consumer purchase behaviour.

References

Australia's household income and wealth distribution n.d., viewed 25 September 2018, <https://mccrindle.com.au/insights/blog/australias-household-income-wealth-distribution/>

Correia, A., Kozak, M. and Reis, H., 2016, ‘Conspicuous consumption of the elite: Social and self-congruity in tourism choices,’ Journal of Travel Research, vol. 55, no. 6, pp.738-750

Foxall, G., 2014. Consumer Behaviour (RLE Consumer Behaviour): A Practical Guide. Routledge, New York

Hill, N. and Alexander, J., 2017. The handbook of customer satisfaction and loyalty measurement. 3rd edn, Routledge, New York

Kastanakis, M.N. and Balabanis, G., 2014, ‘Explaining variation in conspicuous luxury consumption: An individual differences' perspective,’ Journal of Business Research, vol. 67, no. 10, pp.2147-2154

Murphy, J., 2017, Australian social classes: Which one are you?, Watertown, Massachusetts, viewed 15 Aaugust 2018, < https://www.news.com.au/finance/money/wealth/australias-six-social-classes-which-one-are-you/news-story/1583e99bfd7389e65d1e9c39a1491b6c>

Sekaran, U. and Bougie, R., 2016. Research methods for business: A skill building approach. 7th edn, John Wiley & Sons, New Jersey

Tuskej, U., Golob, U. and Podnar, K., 2013, ‘The role of consumer–brand identification in building brand relationships’, Journal of business research, vol. 66, no. 1, pp.53-59