NFOK16000U Food Consumer Research
MSc Programme in Food Innovation and Health
MSc Programme in Food Science and Technology
MSc Programme in Human Nutrition
An introduction to food consumer research as a scientific discipline that deals in a multi-disciplinary way with the understanding of the choices made by consumers. It builds up heavily on the knowledge of Determinants of Food Consumption.
The importance of product cues will be presented. Students will apply relevant theories of food choice, including the dual process (reasoned vs automatic) in decision making, and how to practically implement them in food consumer research. Study design for quantitative and qualitative data collection methods will be presented. The role of students in supporting evidence based policy making will be underscored.
Quantitative methods include the design of consumer questionnaires and their application online, visual data analysis, instrumental measurements, etc. The course will include relevant qualitative methods for food innovation and their quality assessment. The course will address solving practical problems related to consumers using mixed methods approach.
Students will have a course challenge consisting of the design a questionnaire, testing it, and using it for online data collection (annonymous data collection). Students will apply descriptive statistics (use of means and standard deviation, percentages and confidence intervals), as well as the segmenting of consumers using cluster analysis and profiling clusters with logistic regression using R and R Studio. Students will produce a scientific report.
At the end of the course, students would have designed their own questionaire, they would have carried out a consumer survey online, have analysed their data using the appropriate statistical methods and software (R/R Studio), and have communicated written and orally their research results.
After the completion of the course the student will have acquired the following knowledge, skills and competences
Knowledge
- Understand and describe food consumer science, different theories of food consumer behaviour and existing consumer segments
- Reflect scientifically on consumer issues (e.g. health, sustainability, ethics) and their drive towards innovative food supply
- Explain the role of food and nutrition policy in food-related consumer decision making
- Understand and describe food consumer research data collection methods (e.g. quantitative, qualitative and visual)
- Understand and explain the design, testing and implementation of a questionnaire based consumer survey
- Indicate the appropriate methods for consumer survey data analysis (descriptive and inferential statistics)
- Understand the role of food marketing on consumer decision
making
Skills
- Able to apply theories of consumer behaviour around food issues in the formulation, design and analysis of questionnaires
- Able to design consumer research taking in to account GDPR and ethical considerations
- Able to administer questionnaires and collect consumer data using IT platforms
- Able to apply principles of experimental design and statistical evaluation of consumer information
- Able to profile consumer segments by e.g. their socio-economic status, their attitudes, values, knowledge, hedonic responses to foods, liking of food products, etc.
- Describe the hedonic evaluation of foods
- Able to use consumer research to support marketing strategies in food companies
- Communicate research results in scientific writing.
Competences
- Students will be able to provide evidence based advice to the industry, the public sector and the societal actors regarding the relevant consumer segments
- Students will be able to study consumer behaviour in relation to food, taking into account individual characteristics.
- Students will be able to handle data following national and international ethical and GDPR standards
- Students should be able to collaborate and contribute effectively in team work.
See Absalon for a list of course literature.
It is recommended to have understanding of the determinants of food intake and food choices.
It is recommended to have an overview of qualitative data collection methods as well as their analysis.
Academic qualifications equivalent to a BSc degree is recommended.
- Category
- Hours
- Lectures
- 42
- Preparation
- 74
- Exercises
- 20
- E-Learning
- 2
- Project work
- 62
- Guidance
- 4
- Exam
- 2
- Total
- 206
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
- Written examination, 2 hours under invigilationWritten assignment, during the courseThe exam grade comprises of two parts, a challenge document/report and an individual written exam.
The challenge document/report in teams (30% of the grade).
The individual written examination, which will be a multiple choice questionnaire (70% of the grade). The course has been selected for ITX exam.
Both parts must be passed in order for the student to pass the course. - Exam registration requirements
Oral presentation of the course challenge document/report.
- Aid
- All aids allowed
The University will make computers available to students taking on-site exams at ITX. Students are therefore not permitted to bring their own computers, tablets or mobile phones. If textbooks and/or notes are permitted, according to the course description, these must be in paper format or uploaded through Digital Exam.
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
Several internal examiners.
- Re-exam
Same as ordinary.
Any previously passed part of the exam will count in the re-exam. A failed challenge document/report has to be submitted two weeks before the date of the re-examination.
If 10 or fewer register for the written re-examination (70%) the examination form will be 100% oral. The oral exam will be 20 minutes in the course curriculum, no preparation time and all aids allowed.
Criteria for exam assesment
See Learning Outcome
Course information
- Language
- English
- Course code
- NFOK16000U
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Level
- Full Degree Master
- Duration
- 1 block
- Placement
- Block 4
- Schedule
- A
- Course capacity
- No limitation
The number of seats may be reduced in the late registration period - Course is also available as continuing and professional education
- Study board
- Study Board of Food, Human Nutrition and Sports
Contracting departments
- Department of Food Science
- Department of Food and Resource Economics
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports
Contracting faculty
- Faculty of Science
Course Coordinators
- Bodil Helene Allesen-Holm (4-656b646b4369727267316e7831676e)
(Course coordinator) - Helene Christine Reinbach (15-6f6c736c756c35796c707569686a6f476d76766b35727c356b72)