Taste tests are a tool that marketers have been using for decades. One soda maker giant has been conducting a "challenge" since the mid-1970s. A fast-food chain conducted a series of taste tests in 2008 that ended up being a successful campaign for the restaurant.

For this assignment, you will conduct a taste test using at least 7 participants. Select a packaged food product such as chips, cereal, cookies, or ice cream. You will use a brand name product and its store brand or generic counterpart. Be sure to compare 2 like products. For example: do not have a taste test of a savory cereal and a fruity cereal. You want to compare the fruity cereal with a generic or store brand fruity cereal. After the taste test, ask each respondent what brand of the product he or she usually buys before revealing the selected product.

HINT: Food and lifestyle magazines and Web sites publish taste tests periodically. It may be a good idea to see how they compare various products so you have a better idea of how to conduct your study.

Remember that the discussion takes place over two weeks and your weekly posts must be made in the specified week to earn credit.

Part 1: MAIN DISCUSSION POST:

Provide a description of the process through which you collected the data.

Give an overview of the results using tables or charts and words.

Because you are engaging in research, be sure to cite the source(s) in APA format.

What to do with the results?

Admit it. You and your foodies had a great time doing the taste test. But it was not all about free food; it was about collecting consumer information so it can be applied in the marketing plan.

Part 2: MAIN DISCUSSION POST:

Analyze the results. Be sure to consider the respondents' self-reported brand preference and the choice in the taste test. Assess the implications. How can a marketer use the results in its marketing communications plan?

Because you are engaging in research, be sure to attribute your sources in a professional manner.