This concise, practical guide demystifies experimental methodology for students embarking on consumer research for the first time. The book follows the natural progression of conducting experimental research—from formulating research questions and building theoretical frameworks to designing experiments, analyzing results, and writing up findings. Each chapter combines scientific background with practical examples and hands-on advice, including helpful checklists for each stage of the research process. Unlike traditional textbooks that can overwhelm novice researchers with excessive detail, this guide addresses common challenges faced by students and provides clear explanations of complex concepts such as mediation, moderation, and experimental design in accessible language, without sacrificing academic rigor. This book is essential reading for undergraduate and graduate students undertaking experimental research projects or theses in consumer behavior, marketing, and other social sciences. It serves as an "academic companion" for students who need practical guidance through the experimental process. Faculty members supervising experimental research will also find it valuable as a reference guide, particularly those less familiar with experimental methodology.
Table of Contents:
TABLE OF CONTENTS. Preface. Chapter 1: The Characteristics of Experimental Methods. Chapter 2: The Importance of Theory and Theoretical Frameworks. Chapter 3: Different Types of Experiments. Chapter 4: Experimental Design. Chapter 5: More Advanced Designs: Mediation and Moderation. Chapter 6: The Experimental Procedure. Chapter 7: Analyzing and Reporting Your Data. Chapter 8: The Ethics of Experiments
About the Author :
Jeanette Carlsson Hauff is an Associate Professor at the School of Business, Economics and Law at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. She has extensive experience with experimental methods in consumer research and has published numerous articles, book chapters, and conference papers using these methods. Her research interests include, among others, the context of financial services and online privacy. Carlsson Hauff has a documented interest in pedagogical issues in higher education, having co-authored three journal articles on the topic and presented at numerous conferences and seminars. She has also been recognized as an "Excellent Teacher" at the university, a title
awarded for specific pedagogical skills following expert evaluation.
Jonas Nilsson is a researcher and lecturer at the School of Business, Economics and Law at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. His research spans various empirical contexts within the consumer research domain, including financial services, sports marketing, consumer privacy, sustainability, and mobility. Nilsson has been promoted to Excellent Teacher status at the University of Gothenberg, recognizing his pedagogical expertise. He has a particular pedagogical interest in the causes and remedies of statistics anxiety among students. He currently teaches Marketing, Experimental Methods, Consumer Decision-Making and Quantitative Methods to both master’s and bachelor’s students.
