Welcome to the consumer and Industrial Research Program

Our graduates are involved in a wide range of activities:

• Designing studies to find out what consumers want in a new product
• Assessing a company's brand image
• Exploring how consumers' personalities and past experiences influence how they shop
• Conducting a job analysis and devising employee selection systems for a company
• Exploring what organizations can do to make themselves more attractive to job applicants
• Discovering new ways to improve employee motivation
• Analyzing what a company can do to increase the job satisfaction or productivity of its staff
• Gauging the effectiveness of advertising concepts

The graduate specialization in Consumer and Industrial Research Program (CIRP), which leads to the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology, prepares students to apply psychological concepts and research techniques in business settings. It combines advanced quantitative research with hands-on experience involving issues encountered in manufacturing and service organizations as well as in consulting/research firms.

The program is designed to be completed in two years, culminating with a Master's thesis. To ensure that the program is geared to one's strengths and interests, a close working relationship is encouraged between each student and a specific faculty member. Additionally, it is expected that all students will have the opportunity to participate in actual research projects, often in conjunction with faculty. This practical experience, whatever the form, occurs primarily after completion of the first year.

During the first year students in CIRP take the program core courses: quantitative methods, research design, survey research methods, substantive courses in consumer behavior, organizational psychology, personnel psychology - with possibly a few electives. During the second year, students take electives, while working on the thesis and gaining some additional experience in the field.

To see the various types of research projects of students and faculty in the consumer area, go to http://academic.csuohio.edu/cbresearch/ for the Research Reports in Consumer Behavior. Similarly, to see CSU's recent and ongoing research in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, see the "Research in Industrial-Organizational Psychology" website at http://academic.csuohio.edu/ioresearch/index.htm

For an illustration of the professional consumer research projects in which students are involved, see The Market for Naturopathic Care: A Comprehensive Case Study.