Method: PSYC255 METHOD

PSYC255 METHOD Name: Instructor: Date: Introduction Online purchasing occurs through internet shopping for both goods and services. Even though, internet penetration is gradually increasing globally, this has not been the case with online purchasing which is preferred by less people. Before collection of data, there is a need to focus on the potential problems in the survey of focus groups, if not properly planned this can lead to false results. In focusing on groups, researches should first expound on the research objectives and also engage the right participants. Thus, with proper planning, conclusions and recommendations are likely to be correct. This study will review related studies and also use questionnaires in order to determine the factors influencing online consumer behavior. Review of similar studies According to Vazquez and XU(2009, p.409) the main behavioral determinants of online consumerism are outlooks and opinions online shopping and other motivations including price, convenience hedonic motivations and internet information searches as quoted by Smith & Doe(2009) . This study found out that if online shopping experience is positive then this positively affects attitudes towards online consumerism. Additionally, online consumers respond well when they could search preferred information with relative ease. The price factor was found to affect consumer behavior; consumer’s behavior depended on the availability of price information. Koyuncu and Lien (2003, p.721) conducted a study in which they state that there are other factors that influence the behavior of online consumers, as quoted by Smith & Doe (2009). These factors include online familiarity, sexual orientation and the internet access location. The study found out those individuals with more online experience felt safer searching for internet information. Bisexuals were found to buy more online goods than heterosexuals. Shergill & Chen (2005) studied the factors that influence New Zealand’s attitudes towards online purchasing. This research was conducted through telephone and personal surveys, whereby 109 out of the 149 questionnaires proved useful. They found out that internet privacy, website design website reliability and website customer service were the main factors determining online shopping. Research objectives This study primarily aims to find out what factors affect online consumer purchasing Consequently, the specific research objectives are to, Identify factors and variables that influence online consumer purchasing, Identify which consumer behaviors affect online consumerism, Use an integrated ap...