Two new devices for on-site data collection
Feedback Marketing Services Corp., Wellesley, MA, has introduced Feedback Clipboard, a computerized data collecting device which can be used, unattended, to assist in conducting on-site market surveys. The new unit can be programmed to display a range of questions customized to meet individual requirements and eliminates the need for personal interviewers. It requires no set-up or servicing time, and operates for more than 100 hours on battery power. It can be used hand-held or as a stationary table-top unit.
Harmon Associates' Point of View Survey System is a portable, computerized opinion-collection device for use anywhere in gathering feedback from respondents. The 3 lb., battery-powered console displays user-defined questions and response choices on an LCD panel. The user-friendly nine-button keypad records answers privately. Branching capability adapts each survey by the responses given. The system's PC-based software (for any IBM PC or clone) links via the console's serial port for easy design and loading of surveys and uploading and tabulation of responses.
Cahners biotech list available
Cahners Direct Mail Services now offers a mailing list which gives marketers access to over 25,000 decision makers in the biotechnology industry. The new Biotechnology list contains qualified subscriber names from Cahners Publishing's subscription files. It targets decision makers in major corporations, academic institutions and government who provide biotechnology services such as therapeutics, diagnostics, pharmaceutical, and food/agriculture research. These individuals include bench researchers, scientists, managers, and academic professionals who recommend, specify or approve supplies, lab equipment, and related products and services.
Book compiles hundreds of rating scales
A new book, "Marketing Scales: A Compilation of Multi-Item Measures," provides detailed descriptions of nearly 600 multi-item rating scales used in marketing surveys over the last decade. Most of them explore consumer attitudes toward a company, product brand or advertising campaign. Authors Gordon C. Bruner II, an associate professor of marketing at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, and Paul J. Hensel, an associate professor at the University of New Orleans, spent five years surveying measures published in six marketing journals from 1980 to 1989. They hope it will make questionnaire development easier for industry and academic researchers. "Marketing Scales" is available through the American Marketing Association by calling 312-831-2795.
Sessions aim to stimulate innovation
SpringBoard Innovation now offers WorkSessions, a new service to help users of market research transform data into innovation and action. WorkSessions are half-day focus groups that create a temporary environment to enhance an end-user client's innovative capabilities. A trained moderator leads a group of key decision-makers through a brainstorming process. She injects the relevant market data into the creative process, stimulates innovation, and ensures that the group dynamics enhance the creative process. SpringBoard Innovation works directly with end-user clients or in partnership with research companies.
New publication profiles Latin America
Mexico is the focus of the premiere issue of MarketrLatin America, the latest newsletter from W-Two Publications. W-Two also publishes Market-Europe and Market-Asia Pacific. The newsletters are designed to help executives keep abreast of the latest demographic and lifestyle trends and identify business opportunities in each region.
The first issue of Market:Latin America includes the latest census data from Mexico, including projections for labor force and consumer market growth through the year 2000. The issue was prepared with the help of TGE Demographics Inc., a firm specializing in analyzing Mexican demographic trends.
The first year's issues will cover the latest demographic information in eight countries as well as trend nd insight information for the whole region. Upcoming issues will feature articles on the emerging middle class in the region, new opportunities created by consumer demand on Central America, and market research reports being conducted in the region.
Data Desk 4.0
Data Description, a provider of exploratory data analysis software for the Macintosh, is now shipping version 4.0 of its Data Desk software. Major enhancements to the statistics application include a multivariate general linear model with a new interface that simplifies use and provides interactive ways to explore data from experiments, no limit on the number of cases, non-linear smoothers, automated sliders, summaries by groups, random subset sampling, and many more.
Despite the addition of the new capabilities, Data Desk 4 occupies about 800K of disk space, runs in as little as 1 MB of memory, and adapts automatically to take advantage of available color, floating point processor, or additional memory.