Questionnaire

The purpose of this survey is to prove the following.
Hypothesis: Offering full-service or dual-service packages will seduce spa visitors into enhancing and lengthening their spa experience.
The survey will be administered to all kinds of people at the Hard Rock Hotel. People heading to the pool, on the casino floor and at bars/lounges will all be participants in the questionnaire. The questionnaire will be given to both men and women, over 21 years of age.

8 Steps

The purpose of this survey is to prove the hypothesis. Hypothesis: Offering full-service or dual-service packages will seduce spa visitors into spending more money. The survey is to be given to all kinds of people at the Hard Rock Hotel. People heading to the pool, on the casino floor and at bars/lounges will all be participants in the questionnaire. The questionnaire will be given to both men and women, over 21 years of age.

1. Decide whether to use a probability or non-probability sampling method.
Non-probability

2. Define the target population.
Hard Rock Hotel/Casino Visitors

3. Select a sample frame.
Irrelevant to nonprobability samples

4. Identify the sample unit.
People (households & businesses do not apply)

5. Plan the procedure for selecting sample units.
Interviewers will be asked to select random adults. Anyone who looks younger than 21 should not be approached for this survey. Inebriated and/or incoherent prospects should not be surveyed. This will keep the survey safe from unnecessary sample bias.

6. Determine the sample size.
Only fifty questionnaires will be given out for the purpose of the project.

7. Draw the sample.
Sample size is 5 according to the calculator on www.surveysystem.com/sscalc.htm

8. Conduct the fieldwork.

Survey Questionnaire

What would it take to seduce you into utilizing more spa services? A more relaxing experience? Packaged deals? More time in your session? This is exactly what we are trying to find out, here at Reliquary Spa. Located inside the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, Reliquary wants to know what conveys you to visit the spa and how your experience can be enhanced. Please take the time to fill out this simple questionnaire and receive a small, surprise gift.

1. What service are you most interested in when visiting a spa?
a. Massage/Facial
b. Personal (Waxing, Tanning, etc)
c. Other (please specify):

2. During your spa visits, how much have you spent in the past?
a. $50 - $100
b. $100 - $150
c. $150 - $200
d. $200 or more

3. What service would you like to receive but have not tried?
a. Massage/Facial
b. Personal (Waxing, Tanning, etc)
c. Other (please specify):

4. What salon services interest you?
a. Pedicure/Manicure
b. Hair Cut/Style
c. Make-up/Make over


5. Would you be interested in personal training sessions or salon services after your spa visit?
Yes
No

6. Would you be interested in a full spa service package?
Yes
No

7. If no, what could persuade you?





Through answering these few, simple questions, you will not only help us boost the experience of Reliquary visitors but also receive a free ten minute neck massage. Tips are highly encouraged. We greatly appreciate your time.

EOC: Tax Cuts

When it comes down to it, tax cuts do not affect most Nevadans, only the rich ones. The question asked by the survey asks Nevadans if they want their taxes to be cut. The correct question would be “Would you like for the wealthy to receive tax cuts?” The information given by this survey is misleading. The tax cuts did not accomplish their goal.

“Asked whether they wanted the tax cuts to expire or to continue, 61 percent said "continue" and 29 percent said "expire," in the poll taken this week by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research for the Las Vegas Review-Journal and 8NewsNow.” (Nevadans Say Income Tax Cuts Should Stay. STEVE TETREAULT. Stephens Washington Bureau.)

Tax cuts do not affect the typical American and did not accomplish what they promised. This survey is incredibly misleading because it caused Nevadans to feel that they were benefitted by tax cuts that were never beneficial. The Heritage Foundation has stated that the Bush tax cuts led to the rich shouldering more of the income tax burden and the poor shouldering less; while the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) claims that the tax cuts have conferred the "largest benefits, by far on the highest income households.” The underlying policy has been criticized by Democratic Party congressional opponents for giving tax cuts to the rich with capital gains tax breaks while acknowledging some benefit extended to middle and lower income brackets as well.

In late July 2010, analysts at Deutsche Bank said letting the tax cuts for those earning more than $250,000 expire would greatly slow economic recovery. However, Treasury Secretary, Timothy Geithner, said that allowing the expiration would not bring a slowing. The Obama administration proposed keeping tax cuts for couples making less than $250,000 per year. Economist Mark Zandi found that making the Bush tax cuts permanent would be the second least stimulative of several policies considered.

BOC: CSN Graduation

“College of Southern Nevada Tests Its Limits” is an article in a recent Las Vegas Review Journal issue. The article briefly discusses the academic success of a 28-year-old male graduating from CSN after ten years.

“Like many CSN students, Creedon took a while to figure things out. The community college serves all kinds, so there is no such thing as a typical CSN student. But it would not be an overgeneralization to say CSN's students are generally older, poorer, less white and less likely to be from college-educated families than those attending most other higher education institutions.” (http://www.lvrj.com/news/csn-tests-its-limits-121621738.html)

CSN could use market research to figure out why students are not graduating and what they could do to encourage higher graduation rates. In order to do this a focus group could be conducted followed by a student body survey. The focus group should be made up of seven students of all backgrounds and races. In the focus group, questions like “What do you want to do?,” “what is keeping you from attaining your goal?,” “how could we help you choose a career path?” and several similar questions should be asked and discussed. The ideas from the focus group should be recorded. The survey would ask similar questions but should also include questions like “how many classes do you take a semester?”

Perhaps the most important question that should be asked is "Why CSN?" "What made you want to go to CSN?" Students need to be surveyed to see why they choose CSN and what they would like to accomplish. Also, the community should be surveyed to see what jobs are available and what degrees are most necessary.

I feel that by having these questions answered, CSN could get a real understanding of what it is that makes success so difficult. They could figure out what the problems are for these students and how they can be solved. Clearly there is a lack of motivation in the CSN student body and they need to be encouraged. Things like student support groups, guest speakers and school activities care possibilities for giving the students that little boost they need.

Research Opportunity

For my market research opportunity I will be using a company that my work is associated with. I teach fitness dance lessons inside the Hard Rock Hotel Las Vegas, Nevada. The studio is inside the hotel’s spa “Reliquary.” When trying to come up with a problem in the spa, I realized that I rarely see people purchase products when checking out. I also realized that when checking in most people only want a massage.

So for the spa, I decided to conduct market research to verify what could help motivate visitors to purchase more. For example, come into the spa for a massage and facial. Or go to the spa for a massage and the salon for a pedicure. Anything to up-sell the purchase.

The next step is to consider types of research available. Clearly, the research will be applied and descriptive. This means that the research will be predominantly survey-based. The best type of survey to use for this purpose is going to be in-store, in other words, questionnaires. The surveys will be given to spa users. Visitors will be given a survey after their spa time and will be asked to participate. Visitors who turn down the survey will not be pushed or forced.

“People may avoid your survey because they’re concerned about invasion of privacy; they don’t want others to know about their lives and their activities.” (Marketing Research For Dummies. Michael Hyman. Jeremy Sierra.)

I want to make the survey as impersonal as possible to ensure that customers do not feel they are being harassed or overly-questioned. At a spa, visitors are supposed to feel at ease and I would like for that feeling to stay with them as they part.

The questionnaire will include questions asking guests about their spa visit, if they would come back, what products they may be interested in purchasing, what could help urge them to purchase more spa treatments and other similar questions. The survey will include all multiple choice questions with an “Other” area and space to write in the answer, in order to encourage suggestions. The survey will be brief so it does not scare the customer or make them feel they are receiving the third degree.

“Respondents may be motivated by compensation for their time and effort. People who participate in surveys typically receive remuneration in advance, such as a dollar or a free pencil or pen. Alternatively, they may be given the opportunity to receive the results of the survey or to access those results online.” (Marketing Research For Dummies. Michael Hyman. Jeremy Sierra.)

In order to make visitors feel that they are being rewarded for taking our survey, they will be asked to take it for $2 off of their spa visit. Though the survey will be brief, I would like for the customer to feel that they are special and that their opinion matters. “Would you like to participate in a brief survey for $2 off your purchase today?” is the question I would like the front desk worker to ask. This is not pushy and offers a small compensation.