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| criteria for evaluating products: |
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Definition
*performance
*reliability
*ease of use
*safety
*aesthetics
*materials
*construction
*cost |
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characteristics/ opinion/ observation/ experience. |
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| numerical figures to represent data :) |
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give real insight into the dimensions of a product. |
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literature research (beginning stage): |
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the use of consumer reports and newspaper items -historical development.
e.g. CDs, encyclopedias, newspapers, internet.
advantages: a whole variety of material is available.
disadvantages: time consuming (might not relate to product), costly.
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the observation and analysis of comments made by people who have used a particular product
ad: cheap (non specialists can be used), gives you broader scope of info
dis: innacurate
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actually obtaining user responses to questions - largely qualitative
e.g. taste panel
ad: cheap
disad: only qualitative data can be gotten. |
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the reliance on the knowledge and skills of an expert in the operation of a product.
ad: inexpensive, qualitative and quantitative, accurate knowledge from specialists
disad: can be difficlut to find, expert can be biased. |
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Compare user research with user trial.
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| With user research, data is collected by obtaining users’ responses to questions. User trial data is collected by observing users’ behaviour. |
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identify the nature of evaluation at different stages of the product cycle.
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Different types of market research, for example, evaluating competitive products, evaluating the success of a new product and evaluating for redesign.
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| most efficient way of designing and producing a product from the manufacturers point of view |
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| importance of cost-effectiveness to manufacturers: |
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1). allows a manufacture to produce in numerous amounts yet lessen costs
2). saves money
3). increase profits
4). invest more
e.g. certain companies utilize recycled water rather than getting new fresh water from their machines. -> saves money on water. |
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| Involved in development systems to ensure that products or services are designed and produced to meet or exceed customer requirements and expectations. |
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| This covers all activities from design to documentation. It also includes the regulation of quality of raw materials, assemblies, products and components, services related to production, and management and inspection processes. |
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| Compare quality control with quality assurance for manufactured products |
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| An evaluation of the actual performance of the task or learning objective using the conditions under which it will be performed and the absolute standard for acceptable performance. |
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| advantage and disadvantage for collecting data through performance test |
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Definition
Ad: reliable, precise, better quality data (running tests with less error)
disad: costly, if the product does not work properly -> time wasted and money spent. |
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a test of the performance of some new product under the conditions in which it will be used. |
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advantages and disadvantages of field trial for collecting data |
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Definition
ad: can control many variables which may influence the outcome.
disad: time consuming, costly, the test might be successful in controlled conditions (lab), but may be not in real life. |
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what something is worth Versus the cash spent on it.
e.g. product.
1). what did we pay for the product?
2). how well do we use the products we bought? if the answer is yes, then it holds VALUE :) |
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Compare price with value when assessing a product for value for money.
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price too high: customers may not buy (not affordable), its not value for money.
price too low: consumers will think the product is cheap to have much value.
demand for a product will establish the max price that can be charged.
the costs of production will determine the min price that is acceptable.
however, a company may set prices according to competitors or perceived value of the product |
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Explain how consumers apply criteria to evaluate a product for value for money
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Definition
before purchase: advertising, manufacturer's spec, list price, product image, evaluation by experts and consumer groups.
purchase: aesthetics, performance, quality, purchase price.
initial use: actual performance, safety, ease of use
long term use: reliability, ease of maintenance, durability, running costs |
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| consumers and designers -value for money :) |
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Definition
consumers often value: utility, security, availibility. rarity, aesthetics.
designers may consider: function, reliability, ease of maintenance more important factors. |
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| explain the relevance of quality assurance to consumers: |
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Definition
| Quality assurance means that consumers do not have to carry out their own research when considering purchasing products, and they have a means of redress if a product fails to match expected standards, for example, via a guarantee. |
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Discuss the role of consumer associations for product evaluation.
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Consumer associations are independent organisations. They carry out tests on products to see if manufacturers’ claims are justified, and they provide published data for consumers. They compare similar products within a target market and recommend the best value-for-money products.
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| two examples of consumer associations: |
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1). choice magazine online - household, technology, babies and kids, money, food and health, transport
e.g. vaccum cleaners, noise cancelling headphones, cars, insurance, furniture etc.
aim: consumer action, unbiased product reviews :)
2). ACR aim: to advance CONSUMER research -for schools, government |
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Explain the contribution of the media and education to product evaluation.
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Definition
| in the south china morning post, the lifestyle articles promote and advertise products that should or should not be bought for certain reasons (depending on the person). they give ratings and information of the product along with a short consumer report. this gives the public an insight into what they may want to buy and it helps them to think whether its value for money. |
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