Classmates Commentary 4

For my last blog entry of the semester I have chosen to check out some more classmate's blog to get an even better feel for what is out there in the world of Public Relations.  First I looked at Lisa's blog.  Last week, Lisa reflected on experiments, after learning about them in class.  I found it really funny how at first she talked about Lindsay Lohan and her psychotic life and how they thought of Lindsay Lohan in jail, and her new diet there as an experiment.  From this class Lisa acknowledged how that really is not an experiment at all since its missing a control group, experimental group and other vital factors.  From taking PR research I have to say I really have learned a lot about the different types of research methods.  If I had read this article in a different context,  I am fairly certain I would have the ability to realize that is hardly an experiment that they had described.  Lisa also then referred to the Placebo effect to make the idea of an experiment easier for the reader to understand.  The Placebo effect is a great example and I was really impressed by Lisa's ability to tie Lindsay Lohan, the placebo effect, and experiments all together in an entertaining and tasteful form!

Next I looked at Jackie's blog.  Jackie discussed a topic that all together I am not that familiar with seeing that event planning is not readily discussed in most PR courses held at Quinnipiac.  She provided the reader with a really useful site on the in's and outs of event planning, covering nearly all aspects.  I really enjoyed how she provided reasoning behind why she was so interested in this and some other aspects that the reader may not think about at first.  She made an interesting note about how she wouldn't think about the size of the bar at a big event.  After thinking about it, I realized that is pretty important but would have definitely overlooked that myself!  Looks like that guide is pretty helpful! 

Experimental Research

Experimental research isn't exactly as it sounds.  You don't have to be off in a science lab with all different chemicals--its actually much simpler than that and is often used in the fashion industry today.  Experimental research begins with a control group and an experimental group.  The control group and experimental group should be the same but the experimental group should have one small change in it.  This way you have the ability to measure exactly what you want to measure, and they both start off similar.  Another important aspect is the idea of a pre-test.  A pre-test is just another way of ensuring that you have a valid experiment. 

In the fashion industry, one way it could be used is again with determining different trends and seeing if they will work.  If you start with two groups of people who have similar fashion styles and separate them between the control and experimental group and then ask them some basic fashion questions, such as what shoes they like to wear in the winter, if they like layering different shirts, or if they like things that are of a silk material.  This way you know exactly what they are all at from the start.  The experimental group then would attend a fashion show of a designer's new fashion line, such as Tory Burch and her new winter line.  Then the questions would be asked again to both the experimental group and the control group.  This will provide insight to the designer to determine if showing people their new thoughts and idea's for clothing will influence their puchasing patterns.

Who knew research could be so stylish?

Survey

This week in classed we discussed a new type of research method--survey's.  This type of quantitative research is the most popular in the industry.  Its typically inexpensive and allows you to easily get data, access a large amount of people quickly, and then can simply analyze the information.  What's great about survey's is that in an instant you can get a sample of people that are geographically and culturally diverse.  Different data collection methods include mail, telephone, online and in person surveys.  Not one particular method is nessecarily the best--they all exhibit pro's and cons. 

In the fashion industry I can undoubtedly see how survey's would be resourceful.  In order to find out information about your target audience a survey would be perfect.  On a daily basis, designers are trying to find out about if their consumers are liking the pieces they design, if they are useful, or if there are certain defects such as the way it is worn doesn't always work out.  Survey's give designers the ability to learn about their customers in a way that doesn't put them under any pressure.  They can fill out a survey, answering whatever questions the designers want to know, but won't feel forced to hold back or answer any questions in any certain way.  It give's them an edge, while costing minimal amounts for the designer, but at the same time they will be able to gain a whole sort of knowledge on what they need to know.

Tommy Hilfiger, American fashion designer, started out at the young age of 18 designing jeans.  Today his line offers a whole lot more than what the designer once offered.  He has completely redesigned his notably classic looks for something still classy but a little edgier.  Survey's very well may have helped Hilfiger during this process.  The designer easily could have sent out survey's to his usual target's finding out the type of classic clothing that they would be willing to purchase with a new design to it.