Consumer study habits

Morgan, L.R., Birtwistle, G., 2009. An investigation of young fashion consumers disposal habits. International Journal of Consumer Studies 33, 190—198. 

Animals, including humans, create their body tissues from the food they consume all the substances that constitute their bodies are derived from food. Food is, therefore, essential for their survival, and food and the search for adequate supplies of food have determined, and still determine, the life-patterns of ancient as well as of modem people. The study of past human feeding habits and their diets is, therefore, central to the understanding of ancient societies. A large number of studies have shown that there is strong correlation between the type food consumed and the relative amounts of the stable isotopes of some elements in the body or in its dead remains. This seems to confirm an axiom generally recognized in science, that "You are what you eat."... 

Intake estimates and calculations have been performed repeatedly for intense sweeteners for which probably the most extensive database among food additives exists. All studies and all calculations starting from reasonable assumptions indicate that only a minute proportion of consumers may come close to the ADI which may only seldom be exceeded by persons having food habits substantially different from the majority of the population. The best available data originate from a biomarker study on acesulfame and saccharin in which even the highest consumers among children consumed only a fraction of the ADI.29 Several intake studies were carried out on aspartame with the uniform result that no appreciable risk to exceed the ADI was found.14... 

Normally, sufficient data will be available for point 1, but generally will not be of much value for the safety assessment, particularly since data from point 2 are rarely available. However, since the skin irritating effects of a formulation are a complex function of the ingredients,32 the most valuable information is derived from the other five points. Of most note are data from point 5, particularly exaggerated exposure studies where a test product is applied to a defined skin site many times a day and is compared to a marketed product known to have an extensive history of safe use. Valuable information often comes also from more extended consumer use tests, perhaps undertaken in a number of locations to allow for differences in use habits. Ultimately it is not possible to do predictive studies (clinical or in vitro) which will predict the market place perfectly, particularly low level complaint rates — which means that point 7, monitoring feedback from the market, is always of importance. 

In Japan, a wide variety of marine products, such as algae, molluscs, crustaceans, echinoderms, and fish have been consumed with relish from olden times. These food habits have stimulated many studies on the extractive components which may contribute to the taste of these products. Several comprehensive reviews on the subject are available (l-8 ) In order to avoid overlapping with them, special references are made in this review to those components whose roles in producing the taste of fish and shellfish have been examined organoleptically. 

An awareness of the influences of various factors on the biodiesel will give a clear picture of the possible independent variables which can be manipulated to improve or optimize production (the dependent variables). Among dozens of possible candidates, use of some is limited by consumer habit or by the unavailability of the required tool, while others may give a higher priority to those variables that are convenient to adjust, and leave those that demand more time and effort for later study. After screening, the remaining few may thus form the basis for a focused study. However, optimization is not easy even with only two or three variables. RSM has been developed particularly for the optimization of sophisticated multivariable systems where the quantitative relationship between key variables is not always clear, as is the case with a complex operation such as transesterification. RSM allows simultaneous consideration of more than one variable at different levels, and of the corresponding interactions between these variables, on the basis of a relatively small number of experiments. 

One purpose of the HIE was to learn whether the direct cost of medical care, when borne by consumers, affects their health. First, the researchers found that the more people had to pay for medical care, the less of it they used. Free care had no effect on major health habits associated with cardiovascular disease and some types of cancer. Second, the study detected no effects of free care for the average enrollee on any of the five general self-assessed health measures. 

Two studies (Abdulla et al, 1981 Lightowler and Davies, 1998) used the duplicate portion technique to assess the iodine content of the vegans diets. Usual restraints and influences identified with this technique, such as the possible influence on dietary habits of collecting the food samples and gaining adequate cooperation from the subjects, might have been reduced in the Abdulla study that was undertaken in a controlled environment. These individuals consumed a modified diet to which they were unaccustomed, their iodine intakes would therefore not be a true reflection of their habitual diet. 

The aim of the study has been to gain more information on consumer habits during the clothing disposal phase. The analysis is based on mixed methods with both qualitafive and quantitative parts. The qualitative method was based on a wardrobe study of clothing to be disposed of, and the quantitative method was based on a consumer survey. 

Everyday consumption practices are still heavily driven by convenience, habit, value for money, personal health concerns, hedonism, and individual responses to social and institutional norms, and these practices are resistant to change (Vermeir and Verbeke, 2006). For a number of years many retailers have studied the factors driving consumer preferences and have developed various purchasing decision hierarchies to try to explain how consumers determine which brand to shop with and what products they ultimately purchase. Figure 8.6 shows the traditional clothing decision or buying hierarchy with the more influential factors at the top of the hierarchy and the... 

---