These are uncertain times for qualitative research. The old paradigm of mediated, researcher-led insight is being challenged by new models of engagement that enable brands to interact directly with their consumers. But how far does this shift in approach go? Is qualitative research facing a revolution or are we involved in the ongoing process of adapting to a changing technological and consumer landscape?
Synaesthesia may be applied to both Alzheimer's and Qualitative Research as an effective support technique, in order to trigger a spontaneous consumer language made of sensorial metaphor, based on a direct emotional experience. In order to enhance the use of fragrances on dementia but in market research as well! it is a series of essences could be developed to be used therapeutically, both in Aromatherapy and for synaesthetic application. Fragrances help as much in reconstructing emotionally important memories as in establishing connections with other sensorial modalities contributing to and processing a structured language, not delirious and relaxing the tone of the mood by soothing anxiety.
Synaesthesia is the branch of neuroscience that studies anomalies of perception: subjects who have a multi-coloured vision by listening to a voice, or see numbers and letters in colour, hear a sound by looking pictures, etc. The objective of this paper is to show how Synaesthesia, together with other techniques, constitutes an important bridge for communicating with those over 65 years. It identifies, in fact, ways that could be useful in extending the categories of products currently not available to the most 'self-sufficient' part of this group.
The author of this paper utilizes the Tao Collage decoding system, which applies Taoist conceptual thinking to a semiotic framework, to provide a glimpse of how qualitative researchers viewed the future.
The author of this paper has applied the five movements of Tao to arrive at a 'different' knowledge of the world of collages, by constructing an interpretative grid and observing how collages could turn into a real process of reasoning, and not remain a mere 'still life'. This paper provides insight into this new methodology.
This paper applies the Way of Taoism to collages and colours as a means of explaining them, not as fixed entities but within the movement that stems from their interrelationship. A profile of a person/colour/consumer can be produced and used as a feasible means of 'targeting' the message to the consumer.
This study originated from a chance discovery or one that could be so defined if the author believed in chance (but he does not!). The collages used in focus groups can be interpreted by applying the Chinese theory of the five elements (the Tao). The intention of this paper is not to provide a key to interpreting collages, or to describe assorted and unlikely esoteric situations, but simply to offer food for thought about the energy of the collective subconscious or better, soul.