Final answer:
A survey of buyers' intentions forecast is a qualitative forecasting technique that involves subjective data gathered from potential customers about their future purchasing intentions. It's distinct from quantitative methods, which rely on numerical analysis. This technique seeks to understand and predict sales trends based on customer insights rather than strict numerical data.
Step-by-step explanation:
A survey of buyers' intentions forecast falls under the category of a qualitative forecasting technique. This approach involves gathering information directly from potential customers about their future purchase plans. Unlike quantitative methods that focus on numerical data and often include statistical analysis, qualitative forecasting techniques are primarily about uncovering trends and insights through subjective data. In this context, the type of data obtained from each question in the survey would be characterized as qualitative because it seeks to understand human behavior and intentions rather than numeric values.
Qualitative research can include in-depth interviews and focus groups, providing nuanced information that may not be readily apparent in numerical data. This contrasts with quantitative research, which would focus on measurable data -- either quantitative discrete data, which can be counted and has a finite number of possible values, or quantitative continuous data, which can take on any value within a given range and can be measured precisely.
Criteria and Analysis in Sales Forecasting
When using qualitative data in sales forecasting, the analysis might not follow the strict statistical techniques seen in quantitative sociology. Instead, it interprets the content to predict future sales trends. For instance, in a survey of buyers' intentions, the data collected from questions about whether customers plan to purchase a product would provide insights into market demand and can influence inventory management and marketing strategies.