ABSTRACT
Qualitative research techniques are frequently used as a means to understand
consumers’ perceptions and behavior when it comes to food choice. Particularly,
projective techniques have been increasingly used in marketing and consumer
research. In this context, this study aims to evaluate two projective techniques –
word association and completion techniques – to study consumers’ expectations
about food packaging. Additionally, it is intended to assess how packaging and
presentation format influence food purchase decisions. The results obtained from
both methodologies suggest that handiness to open, resealability, packaging size
and packaging material transparency are among the features most appreciated by
consumers. Specifically, word association has facilitated the identification of a
larger number of items, probably thanks to the nonrestricted response character of
this technique. Conversely, completion methodologies, a stimuli-guided technique,
has resulted in a richer range of perspectives by consumers thank to the focus on
different aspects of the problem.