Qualitative research methods often provide preliminary insights useful in developing ideas about how variables are related. Similarly, qualitative research can help define
constructs or variables and suggest items that can be used to measure those constructs.
For example, before they can successfully measure the perceived quality of online shopping experiences from their customers’ perspective, retailers must first ascertain the factors
or dimensions that are important to their customers when shopping online. Qualitative
data also play an important role in identifying marketing problems and opportunities. The
in-depth information enhances the researcher’s ability to understand consumer behavior.
Finally, many qualitative researchers have backgrounds in the social sciences, such as sociology, anthropology, or psychology, and thus bring knowledge of theories from their discipline to enhance their interpretation of data. For example, a study of grooming behavior
of young adults conducted by an anthropologist described grooming behavior as ‘‘ritual
magic.’’5 The legacy of psychology and psychiatry in developing qualitative techniques is
seen in the emphasis on subconscious motivations and the use of probing techniques that
are designed to uncover motives.