OUGD501 - Study Task 4: Establishing requirements of your practical investigation

1.What is your research question?

What is the role of the ‘self’ within the consumer-brand relationship?

2.Do you have a hypothesis (an assumed conclusion that you will endeavour to prove)?

If a brand evokes an emotional connection with a consumer then it will become more successful than those that don't because it will create desirable consumer traits appealing to the perceptions of ones self.

3.What are the contexts of your research interests?

To look at the construct of the self and how this applied to branding. Why certain brands are more desirable and how they make people feel despite being very similar to other brands in terms of ingredients, materials.

4.Sources of primary/secondary research.

Case study of well established brand that uses the role of the self to market its product to a consumer.

Psychological theories and consumer brand theories from online journals and academic sources

5.How will your practical work relate to your written work (synthesis)?

Develop a brand that adopts the psychological theories explored within the academic writing using the role of the self to elevate the perception of the brand and increase the success of the product.  

6.What methods will you use to research, develop, create and test your work?

Identify a product to brand, research its consumer, competitors and existing products. Identify a USP and consider what I want the brand to stand for transcending it from a product or a brand to something that evokes a personal connection with the consumer that will increase its success as a brand.

7.Provide a proposed timeline for your work to completion (consider carefully whether you will need access to college facilities).

Prior to 11^th January work will focus on the essay. Following the Turn It In Submission I will start to identify a product to brand.

8^th Feb – Have a product identified and start to research consumers and competitors

22^nd Feb – Identify USP and define what the brand will represent using the role of the self to transcend its literal use/ meaning.

1^st March – Begin Initial Ideas

14^th  March – Feedback and Development

4^th April – Further Development and Feedback

25^th April – Submission