I encourage you to contact me any time if you have questions or concerns about any aspect of this course.  Feel free to drop by during office hours, or make an appointment.  The best way to reach me at other times is via Campus Cruiser Email (re279304@mail.ncwc.edu).  I will usually respond within the same day.

Catalog Description:
This course examines the systematic design, collection, analysis, and reporting of data relevant to the marketing function within the organization.  It specifically addresses the growing role that technology plays in predicting consumer behavior, marketing trends, addressing marketing problems, and the development of new products and services.

Course Prerequisites:                                                                                 MKT 205, BSS 190 and 191, MAT 213

Course Overview:
Rapid changes in the business world are creating new decision situations that demand creative solutions and better skills for the acquisition and use of information.  Business decision makers and the marketing research industry have been forced to rethink their notions of information and of the practices used to acquire and generate data and information.  Today, students entering the marketing and/or business field need to have a greater awareness and appreciation of how identifying, searching, gathering, analyzing and interpreting secondary and primary data "fits" into the newest business paradigm: better customer relationship management.

Required Textbook:
Zikmund, William G. Essentials of Marketing Research, 3rd Edition., Thomson South-Western, 2007. Textbook is required for all classes.  Also, Chapter 1 should be read prior to our first class meeting.

Methodology:
Although the lecture method will be utilized, class discussion, peer learning, and student participation will be the primary tools for learning.  Students are expected to actively participate in team assignments, presentations, and a variety of writing and research assignments.  Please bring your textbook to all classes, as we will refer to the text often.

Required Work and Course Evaluation:
Exams, weekly assignments, and a semester long research team project with a written and oral presentation component will be required in this class.  Specifically, required work is as follows:

1. Exams:
A major requirement in this course is that students read the assigned text in preparation for each class and prepare to discuss the chapters.  I recommend that you approach chapter headings as “questions” to be answered.  There will be a Midterm Exam and a Final Exam.  These exams will in all likelihood include objective questions, discussion questions and essay questions.  These questions will be based on material presented in the text, videotapes, class discussions/exercises, and take-home assignments, so make sure to take detailed notes every class period.

2. Participation in Weekly Assignments:
Assignments will include in-class assignments pertaining to reading assignments, short writing assignments, video cases, web sites, case studies and quizzes.  Direction for the assignments will be presented during our first class meeting.  You should have read Chapter 1 from our text prior to this meeting.

Also each student will present to the class a Marketing Research/Consumer Behavior Critical Article Analysis.

Learning should be an interactive process and student involvement is essential.  Class participation is necessary for three reasons: (1) it further develops students’ oral communication skills; (2) it provides feedback to indicate whether the instructor has properly communicated the material; and (3) it increases the quality of the class.  Your comments and questions are encouraged.  I expect that you will read the assigned material prior to each class.

3. Project:
Marketing Research Project. This is a team project that involves a written and oral presentation  Assignment directions will be presented during our first class meeting.

The team project will take place at the end of the semester. Twice during the semester, a team progress report will be due. For the presentation, teams should use Power Point and each team member must participate in the actual presentation.  The time should be distributed as equally as possible between members of the team.  Dressing professionally at the presentations is required.  Both the professor and the students will evaluate the presentations.

The exact amount of time required for each presentation will be determined after the number of groups is determined. However, it is estimated that presentations will be limited to thirty (30) minutes with a few additional minutes for class discussion.  Additional specifics will follow in class as the semester progresses.

Class Attendance Policy:
I consider it a professional courtesy and obligation for you to attend class.  The college attendance policy states that the instructor may withdraw a student after three hours of absence.  Equally important, quizzes, exams and other assignments missed because of being absent CANNOT BE MADE UP.  University protocol and related accreditation agencies limit the amount of time a student can miss a class and still receive College recognition and credit.  If you miss class, you are responsible for obtaining class notes and assignments from another classmate.

Please do not be late for class. It is very disrupting to have students coming into class after we have started.  If you have a schedule conflict that regularly prevents you from being punctual, please consider a class change.

Poor attendance with regard to group presentations will result in a REDUCTION OF YOUR FINAL GRADE.

Deductions:
We all have very busy schedules and it is my responsibility to utilize the time dedicated to each class in a manner that maximized both of our utility.  You can assist me in meeting this obligation by following the instructions laid out for the class. “Quality of Work” specifically discusses this issue (see below).  Examples of “deductions” are as follows:

1. Did not follow directions where appropriate.
2. Unprofessional classroom behavior.
3. Trying to hand in materials late.

Quality of Work:
I expect written assignments that are free of typographical, grammatical, and spelling errors.  I am adamant about this. One of the best ways to proofread is to read your paper aloud.  If you are not capable of proofreading your own work, I suggest you get help (e.g., ask a friend to proofread your paper or visit the writing lab on campus).  Also incorporate computer-generated graphs, figures, and illustration as appropriate. ALL assignments should:

1. Be either stapled, in a notebook with rings, or in a report cover

2. Include a cover sheet, which clearly displays your name, the course, the date, and the assignment.

3. Use Arial or Times New Roman font with a font size of  12 and,

4. Be double-spaced with one-inch margins with pages being numbered.

References:
All material and information used by you in the project must be referenced!  There are no exceptions.  Material and information not properly referenced will not be accepted under any conditions.  APA Writing Style will be used.

Computer and Internet Usage:
It is important that each of you are familiar with using the Internet and computer tools.  These skills will be necessary in the workplace-you should be prepared.  Therefore, it is each student’s responsibility to:

1. Have access to a computer that has the capability of accessing the Internet, especially, Campus Cruiser.

2. Have access to MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint software (all assignments will be submitted as hard copy).

Other Critical Notes:

• Students with disabilities who believe that they may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact the Office of Disability Support Services (DSS) at 985-5369 as soon as possible to coordinate and implement accommodations in a timely fashion.  The Office of DSS is located in the Student Support Center, PC 188..

• Please use the Writing Lab as required for all of your work.  The services are free and poorly written papers are not acceptable.

• We have a lot of material to cover.  Consequently, you NEED to read the assigned chapters and study the other class materials before the class meets.

• No late work will be accepted and no makeup exams.  Note that the Attendance Policy does not differentiate with regard to “excused vs. unexcused” absences.  An absence is an absence.  However, faculty members are allowed some flexibility.

• If I do approve an absence to take an exam late, the exam must be taken within 24 hours of the original exam.  After that time, a grade of "zero" will be recorded.

• Cell phones, audible pagers and any other electronic device will be turned off during class. 

• The use of any type of tobacco related products are prohibited in any campus building.

• Any type of headgear worn must be removed during class (i.e. hats, hoods, etc.).

I RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REVISE THE SYLLABUS AT ANY TIME DURING THE SEMESTER.