Research Proposal: Online Scent Marketing and Emotional Behavior

This research proposal explores the influence of online scent marketing on the emotional behavior of users, specifically within the context of the social networking site XYZ. The study aims to identify how digital scent technology can be leveraged to impact user engagement and brand perception, drawing inspiration from previous Facebook experiments while emphasizing ethical considerations and responsible research design. The proposal includes a comprehensive literature review examining existing theories and published interpretations of scent marketing, its impact on consumer behavior, and the ethical implications of manipulating user emotions through sensory experiences. The research methodology outlines an applied research approach, utilizing qualitative methods to analyze the impact of different types of scent on how users interact with the XYZ platform. The proposal also addresses ethical considerations, emphasizing the importance of informed consent, voluntary participation, and confidentiality to ensure the integrity of the research. The study intends to provide recommendations for XYZ to ethically implement scent marketing strategies, enhancing user experience and brand image while mitigating potential negative consequences. The proposal concludes with a discussion of limitations and suggestions for future research.

Running Head: ONLINE SCENT MARKETING
Online Scent Marketing
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1ONLINE SCENT MARKETING
Letter of Transmittal
Date ___________
Address ___________
Dear Recipient,
This research program is submitted in the form of a research proposal to a new online company
XYZ. They are requested to follow the research design that has been described in the research.
The aim of this research is to identify the influence of online scent marketing on the emotional
behavior of people. The objectives of this research is to give suggestions to the social networking
site XYZ so that they can make the changes that are possible in their working method. This will
prove beneficial for them to ethically induce any kind of emotional influence created by online
marketing.
Your acceptance of the research proposal is respected.
Sincerely
Name________

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Table of Contents
Executive Summary.........................................................................................................................3
1.0 Introduction................................................................................................................................4
2.0 Literature Review......................................................................................................................5
3.0 Research Questions and Research Objectives...........................................................................7
4.0 Research Methodology..............................................................................................................7
4.1 Research Design....................................................................................................................7
4.2 Research Approach................................................................................................................8
4.3 Ethical Considerations...........................................................................................................8
5.0 Sample Unit and Sampling Methodology................................................................................10
5.1 Data Discussion.......................................................................................................................10
5.2 Validity, Reliability and Limitations.......................................................................................11
6.0 Conclusion and Recommendations..........................................................................................12
References......................................................................................................................................14

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Executive Summary
This particular research has laid emphasis upon the technique and concept used by the businesses
to create an unforgettable experience in this highly competitive business environment. This
unforgettable experience comes from creating an urge on the mind of consumers to build an
emotional connection and trigger various forms of senses for e.g. listening, vision, smelling, and
tasting to form a deeper level of attachment with the particular brand product or a service
offered. This results into increase in satisfaction level on both consumer and the business end.
The customers create memories and experience a situation which is not easy to forget and the
business prospers with increase in brand image appreciation. This leads to increase the sales of
the company. It has been identified through secondary research, already been published in the
form of articles, webpages and theories that altering the emotions with the help of
communication through social networking has created an impact on the consumers or users in
both negative and positive ways. Ethical conduct and issues have been addressed so that
awareness increases regarding the method through which consumers get influenced to purchase
and get impulsive in creating a brand image in their minds a particular product or a service. This
research begins with an introduction followed by summary of understandings of various authors
in the Literature review supported by methods and approaches to address various ethical
concerns. Also, in the end recommendations have been given to suggest the techniques to
address ethical issues related to scent marketing through the social networking site XYZ.

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1.0 Introduction
In 2014, there has been a facebook experiment. In the experiment, the contents in the
news feeds of the users were used to evaluate the changes in the emotions of the users. News
Feeds of almost 700,000 users were accessed to show the company the number of positive or
negative posts posted by the users on the particular product or service. The aim of that project
was to determine whether it was possible for the company to change the emotional state of the
users. The research also had the objective to determine whether more positive or negative posts
in the newsfeed page of Facebook impacted the users in updating their own pages. It was found
from the research that the users who were shown more negative comments have posted negative
comments in their page and those who were shown more positive comments have posted positive
comments in their page. This process was questioned to a great extent on ethical ground and poor
research design.
Another social networking site XYZ got inspiration from this research conducted by
facebook and also wants to study whether they can alter the emotional state of their users. Since
the research conducted by facebook previously failed, so they wanted to do this research
following the research ethics and also by using a better research design. They are interested to
use the digital scent technology unlike facebook, that is, XYZ wanted to determine whether
different types of smell impacted users to update their page. Thus, based on the needs of the
social networking company the following research has been conducted.
This research focuses upon how various products like grocery products, luxurious
perfumes, home accessories, bakery products stores encourages and creates an impulse on the
consumers to increase its sales for the above stated products. Scent marketing is a concept in

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which the adequate atmosphere filled a unique smell triggering the senses like listening good
music will create an impulse in the consumer to experience a music store (Henshaw, 2013). A
distinct smell of caffeine in the Starbucks combined with fresh smell of baked food and soft
music will attract the customers to taste different flavours of coffee. A cosmetic shop in the retail
chain store with a flavoured and fruity smell of various crèmes, body lotions and makeup wears
may catch the consumer’s senses affecting the brain in such a way that it deeply impacts the
thoughts processed both emotionally and through intelligence. It creates a delightful memory
which creates an urge and the consumer wants to indulge into experiencing that product to get
satisfaction.
2.0 Literature Review
This research is a collective summary of the existing theories and published interpretation
of a particular topic. The aim is to find ways for XYZ social networking to influence the users
emotionally with the help of scent marketing. This would further identify the ways in which
users update their news feed pages and get emotionally involved with a particular brand. This
involvement could be both in negative and positive ways(Alderson, 2017). Secondary research is
synthesizing and interpreting the existing researches already been carried out so that better
comparison between various understandings given by writers can be done and results can be
revealed. The XYZ networking needs to be responsible towards the perceived reactions of the
individuals of any activity or comment posted by them for promotion.
According to Berkhout (2015), the various combinations of smells when described in the
form of images like baby powder images showing that it has a soothing distinct smell with
depicting it with flower images will influence the mother users to create an impression about

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how it is touse baby products. The site XYZ, in order to create an impulse on the users should
use pictures which compliment the products and give a real experience in forming a perception
to the user about the product. In this way, it will alter the emotions in the right direction both for
the user and company by increasing its sales and brand image. On the other side, XYZ
networking would also gain a competitive edge over other networking sites and it will gain
popularity by not being criticized for any disrespectful tampering of user’s emotions. In addition
the users will comment and give positive reviews (Berkhout, 2015).
In support of this, Alderson (2017),states that scent technology is used as a tactic for
marketing company’s product. The consumer is persuaded and induced with an impulse visually
too just similar to smelling a particular aroma. For e.g. a graphic of Cadbury melted chocolate
accompanied with a perfume product would give the user a sensation in which it can imagine the
real experience just by seeing the graphic. XYZ as a networking site may alter the user’s
emotions by commenting upon the company’s graphic using words which arouse the seductive
emotions of the users. This will give the users an idea about the aroma just by reading the
description of the comments used for promoting a product. In relation to this, there are other
readers also getting influenced who are friends of the users. This engages many readers
unfamiliar with the product to get acquainted with the help of reading just the replies of the
users.This too can be explained with the help of an example of promoting a new car by XYZ
networking through an image and description which definesthat the car is new. The image could
be of a car perfume from Scent Air with a description “Fresh fragrance eliminator” which helps
the user and reader friends to form a picture of the smell in its mind and further visualize that the
car is brand new. The impact of this would be usersgetting positively influenced which will
further strengthen XYZ network and Car’s sales (Alderson, 2017).

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3.0 Research Questions and Research Objectives
The main aim of this research is to identify the ways in which the social networking
company XYZ can conduct this research to test the impact of the scent technology on the
behavioral sensibilities in a psychological manner. This impact is created to influence the user’s
emotions keeping in mind the ethical standards to avoid any negative consequences in terms of
integrity, privacy and confidentiality (Georges, Tourtoulou, and Badoc, 2013).Thus, the main
research question which will be of interest is given as follows:
 What are the impacts of different types of smell through Digital Scent Technology on
how users update their own XYZ page?
4.0 Research Methodology
Research methodology focuses on identifying techniques to address the research
problem. Various methods are applied to explore the current questions and issues which are
needed to be answered to reach to the solution of the main problem of the research program
(Bradford and Cullen, 2013).
4.1 Research Design
The research design that has been used here is applied research. This type of research is
practiced widely. Some theories and knowledge can also be tested to support a specific purpose.
Apart from applied research methods, a lot of other research methods can be used for appropriate
purposes. These methods include, exploratory research, explanatory research and descriptive
research (Edmonds and Kennedy, 2016). This report will be made using the appropriate
quantitative research methods.

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4.2 Research Approach
Qualitative research approach will be pursued in this research. The qualitative research
approach signifies identical and unique insights and also identifies the reasons behind these
insights. This approach is used because our research question deals with emotional problems and
alteration of feelings which are completely based on perceptions. It is not possible to estimate the
extent to which emotions are hurt or delighted. The research would be supported by various ideas
and literatures which best address the issues of concern in the report (Bryman and Bell, 2015).
Since the research is secondary, it will not include interpretation of the findings in a new form
carried out for the first time. It will be based on the proven findings and literatures already been
carried out so that they serve as a good evidence of our research program.
4.3 Ethical Considerations
In order to resolve any sort of activities that cannot be accepted, which might take place
by the networking site on the event of identifying the answers to the research objectives so that
our main aim or main research question is answered, the following suggestions are made. There
is no use of sampling methods and sampling techniques as this proposal is entirely based upon
the Secondary research. Taking help of methods like surveys, interviews and observations etc.
are a part of retrieving the first hand information through primary research. However, the
research objectives are addressed taking help of theories, beliefs and literature already published
by renowned authors. The issues which will be taken care of in order to answer the main research
question or the research objective are given as follows:
 Informed Participant Consent: The participants who will be taking part in the research
will have to be informed about the details of the survey before taking part in the research.

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 Voluntary participation and the right of withdrawal without sanction: The
participants of the research should be having voluntary participation. They must have the
freedom to withdraw themselves from the study any time they want to.
 Confidentiality of participants and records: All the information that will be provided
by the participants should not be disclosed by the social networking site XYZ. The
information provided by the participants are confidential and the confidentiality of the
participants should be maintained at the highest priority.
According to Stieler (2017), it is very common that the user’s complete
information is accessed by the networking company to get onto a new page for
processing an app. There are fun game apps through which results are retrieved with the
help of brand image. Now, since XYZ site has commented upon an individual’s looks
through a well renowned established brand then it will access complete sensitive
information like age, gender, sex, name, and profile picture. This information is used by
the XYZ to create an influence emotionally on the participant by commenting on looks in
the result. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the XYZ site to keep the sensitive details
of the user protected. There may be instances when user might get a wrong image about
XYZ misusing the personal details to get results of the applications (Stieler, 2017).
 Data Storage: The data that has been used to run the analysis must be stored securely
even after completion of the research. This data might be relevant for some other kind of
studies.
 Clear, coherent expression of Research Proposal: The proposal of the research, that
will be made before the start of a research must be extremely clear. This is very important
as this will give the researcher a clear view of what he or she has to do.

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 Regular monitoring of the research outcomes: As this will be a survey conducted in a
social networking site, the number of responses received, the type of responses received,
all these have monitored on a regular basis.
5.0 Sample Unit and Sampling Methodology
This study will be done by a social networking site XYZ. The population of interest will
be all the people of the country. The interest and the preferences of the people of the country
either depend on the scent technology or it does not depend on the technology. The population of
the country is huge and it is thus not possible to collect all the necessary information from all the
people of the country to carry out this research. Hence, the need of sampling arises. In this case,
a questionnaire can be made asking questions about all the necessary information for this study.
The questionnaire can be made available through the social networking site. Thus, all the people
visiting this site will be able to fill in the form. As soon as the numbers of necessary responses
are received, the responses can be analyzed. In this case, the responses of the users will not
depend on the previous responses as they will not be able to see what opinions others have given.
The users will share their own experience via this survey.
5.1 Data Discussion
The collection of data in the above method is supposed to be useful. The type of data that
will be collected as a result of this collection method will be termed as primary data. Two major
information will be necessary to conduct this research. These are:
 Whether the visitor of the site purchase the product.

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 Does the advertisement regarding the scent of the product influence the visitor to
purchase the product?
With the help of these two variables, the hypothesis of the research can be framed. The
impact of scent technology on the purchasing intensity of a user can be analyzed using the
regression analysis (Cameron and Trivedi, 2013). The R Squared value obtained from the
regression will give the percentage of the influence the technology will be having on the
purchasing power of the user. The ANOVA table that will be obtained from the regression
analysis will show whether there is any significant difference in the mentality of the users with or
without the application of scent technology. The conclusion can be drawn from the values of the
F-statistic obtained from the ANOVA table.
5.2 Validity, Reliability and Limitations
It is always important to check for the validity and the reliability of the data that has been
collected. It will be of no use to analyze a data which is not reliable. All the results of the data
will be full of errors and will give very bad predictions. Thus, the validity and the reliability of
the data collected is tested before conducting the research. This is usually done with the
cronbach’s test of reliability. The closer the value of Cronbach’s alpha, the more reliable the data
is. In this case, the opinions of the customers will be recorded. Thus, it can be assumed that the
data will be reliable as the customers are giving their very own responses. Their responses are
not manipulated by any other factors or person. Thus, there is very little chance of biasedness in
the data.
There are certain shortcomings XYZ networking site must take into consideration in
order to ensure the security and sensitivity of the participants which are: there is no control over

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the timing of the updates. In case any update is made publically to spread awareness for a
particular new technique XYZ has started then it might get out dated within seconds. There is
less control in providing the correct timing to the update so that it is well spread. Therefore,
whatever posted must be easy, simple and effective so that it is easily understandable and quick
to practice (Petersen, Person, and Nash, 2014). Ethical practices must be the highest priority to
gain trust of the users on XYZ site even if it is influencing and creating an emotional push on
consumer’s mind about a service, idea or a product. The privacy and confidentiality must be up
to the mark. Any statement made must take into account the negative consequences it can create
on the user’s emotions. Lines or automated reminders for events, anniversaries and special
occasions must not create an impression of insecurity, discrimination and bias amongst the users
(Babin, and Harris, 2015).
6.0 Conclusion and Recommendations
Through this research proposal XYZ will get a detailed knowledge about various ways to
indulge into activities which are for the user betterment in the perception of participants. Once
the aim to convince the user is achieved then sustaining in the market becomes easy. There are a
few suggestions which will give XYZ an opportunity to recognize the needs of the user to
influence them which are: the behaviour of a participant should not be offensively affected. For
this the user must be given a chance to get familiarized about the attempt XYZ is going to make
in the near future(Lindstrom, 2005). In addition, the users must not feel that they are introduced
with methods which are manipulating for e.g. if there are applications designed by XYZ
company which allow the users to get into the trap of a financial risk promising lucrative prizes
then results may always not be in user’s favour. This will make them feel deceived and

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manipulated. If the site needs to gain a competitive edge, then the tactics used by XYZ to
influence them emotionally should be in correct direction not causing a feeling of dissatisfaction.

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References
Alderson, M. 2017. The Scent of You.US: HarperCollins, p.1.
Babin, B. J., and Harris, E. 2015.CB7. US: Cengage Learning, p. 7.
Berkhout, Constant. 2015. Retail Marketing Strategy: Delivering Shopper Delight. UK: Kogan
Page Publishers, p. 7.
Bradford, S., and Cullen, F. 2013. Research and Research Methods for Youth Practitioners. UK:
Routledge.
Bryman, A., and Bell, E. 2015. Business Research Methods. UK: Oxford University Press.
Edmonds, W.A. and Kennedy, T.D., 2016. An Applied Guide to Research Designs: Quantitative,
Qualitative, and Mixed Methods. Sage Publications.
Georges, P.M., Tourtoulou, A. B., and Badoc, M. 2013.Neuromarketing in Action: How to Talk
and Sell to the Brain. UK: Kogan Page Publishers, pp. 9-12.
Henshaw, V. 2013.Urban Smellscapes: Understanding and Designing City Smell Environments.
UK: Routledge.
Petersen, L. B., Person, R., and Nash, C. 2014. Connect: How to Use Data and Experience
Marketing to Create Lifetime Customers. US: John Wiley & Sons, p. 176.
Stieler, M. 2017. Creating Marketing Magic and Innovative Future Marketing Trends:
Proceedings of the 2016 Academy of Marketing Science (AMS) Annual Conference. Germany:
Springer.

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Lindstrom, M. 2005. Brand Sense: How to Build Powerful Brands Through Touch, Taste, Smell,
Sight & Sound. UK: Kogan Page Publishers, pp. 20-22.
Cameron, A.C. and Trivedi, P.K., 2013. Regression analysis of count data (Vol. 53). Cambridge
university press.

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Appendices
1. What is your age?
a) Less than 18 Years
b) 18-24 years
c) 25-35 years
d) 35 and above
2. What is your occupation?
a) Service
b) Doctor
c) Business
d) Self-empleyeed
e) Others
3. Do you buy your products online?
a) Yes
b) Now
c) Maybe
4. The smell of a product affects online shopping
a) Yes
b) No
c) Maybe