PurposeTo provide a thorough analysis of the role of the internet in survey research and to discuss the implications of online surveys becoming such a major force in research.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is divided into four major sections: an analysis of the strengths and potential weaknesses of online surveys; a comparison of online surveys with other survey formats; a discussion on the best uses for online surveys and how their potential weaknesses may be moderated; and an overview of the online survey services being offered by the world's largest research firms.FindingsIf conducted properly, online surveys have significant advantages over other formats. However, it is imperative that the potential weaknesses of online surveys be mitigated and that online surveys only be used when appropriate. Outsourcing of online survey functions is growing in popularity.Practical implicationsThe paper provides a very useful source of information and impartial advice for any professional who is considering the use of online surveys.Originality/valueThe paper synthesizes the vast literature related to online surveys, presents original material related to survey methodology, and offers a number of recommendations.

This article presents a large‐scale cross‐sectional field study of the effect of store environment on consumer emotions and the resulting influence on aspects of consumer behavior with actual shopping behavior used as an example. Cast into a stimulus–organism–response framework, the results suggest that a consumer's emotions can be a mediating factor in the purchase process. In this study, we identify and explore how store environment and emotional states may influence various dimensions of purchase behavior. This research confirms that although cognitive factors may largely account for store selection and for most planned purchases within the store, the environment in the store and the emotional state of consumers may be important determinants of purchase behavior. This research has many pragmatic applications, because pleasure was associated with the amount of money spent and affinity for the store, whereas arousal was associated with money spent in the store, time spent in the store, and the number of items purchased in the store. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to present a detailed and critical look at the evolution of online survey research since Evans and Mathur's (2005) article on the value of online surveys. At that time, online survey research was in its early stages. Also covered are the present and future states of online research. Many conclusions and recommendations are presented. Design/methodology/approach -The look back focuses on online surveys, strengths and weaknesses of online surveys, the literature on several aspects of online surveys and online survey best practices. The look ahead focuses on emerging survey technologies and methodologies, and new non-survey technologies and methodologies. Conclusions and recommendations are provided. Findings -Online survey research is used more frequently and better accepted by researchers than in 2005. Yet, survey techniques are still regularly transformed by new technologies. Non-survey digital research is also more prominent than in 2005 and can better track actual behavior than surveys can. Hybrid surveys will be widespread in the future. Practical implications -The paper aims to provide insights for researchers with different levels of online survey experience. And both academics and practitioners should gain insights. Social implications -Adhering to a strong ethics code is vital to gain respondents' trust and to produce valid results. Originality/value -Conclusions and recommendations are offered in these specific areas: defining concepts, understanding the future role of surveys, developing and implementing surveys and a survey code of ethics. The literature review cites more than 200 sources.

Cognitive age has been an important construct in studies of older consumers. The present study builds upon previous research by providing theory-based antecedents of cognitive age. The results suggest that differences in cognitive age do not merely reflect differences in chronological age, and that a person's cognitive age is influenced by his or her experiences of life events that serve as markers of transitions into social roles people are expected to enact at different stages in life. In addition, the experiences of health-related events, such as chronic conditions, make people aware of their aging, affecting their cognitive age. The influence of cognitive age on consumer-behavior variables is also examined, and directions for future research are suggested. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Subjective or cognitive age 1 has been an important construct in studies of older consumers (e.g., Sherman, Schiffman, & Dillon, 1988;Stephens, 1991;Szmigin & Carrigan, 2001;Wilkes, 1992 Although the term cognitive age is used to imply mental resources (processing, memory) in psychology and gerontology literature, many consumer researchers have used it to mean subjective age. To be consistent with the Wilkes (1992) usage, in the present research the term is used to imply subjective age.consequences of cognitive age. Although he found a relatively high R 2 for cognitive age antecedents used, he concluded by saying that, "other predictor variables need to be identified and tested" (p. 299). However, studies focusing on antecedents of cognitive age have produced contradictory results. Barak and Stern (1986) reviewed several studies and found that for variables such as retirement, widowhood, education, and social class, some studies report a significant relationship with measures of cognitive age, and others report no relationship. Also, they found that for variables such as gender, race, and marital status, all studies included in the review reported no relationship with measures of cognitive age. Logan, Ward, and Spitze (1992) examined the impact of life status variables, such as widowhood and retirement, on cognitive age, but could not find any significant relationship beyond that produced by chronological age. Wilkes (1992) found that among women aged 60-69, marital status and income were significant predictors of cognitive age, whereas work status was not a significant predictor. Similarly, Henderson, Goldsmith, and Flynn (1995) examined the relationship between cognitive age and demographic variables such as gender, marital status, education, income, and race. However, these researchers did not find any significant relationships. Thus, despite an abundance of research examining cognitive age and its antecedents, there are inconsistencies in the findings reported by various researchers, there is a lack of research examining antecedents of cognitive age that are based on theory, and there is a need to replicate previous research to validate the findings.In view of these gaps in previous studies and their suggestions for...

Points out that the aging population has captured the attention of marketers, but that many companies are still uncertain as to whether they should, or how they should, go about marketing to the mature market. Highlights some of the key issues marketers are confronted with and discusses reasons for implementation of certain strategies. Concludes that, for marketing strategies to be effective, they should take into consideration the heterogeneity of the mature market and the specific product or service being marketed. Uses the results of recent studies to illustrate how such target product‐specific strategies can be developed.