Project (Group 1)
Project (Group 1)
A PROJECT REPORT
SUBMITTED
In partial fulfillment of the Degree of
Bachelor of Science
In
Statistics
Submitted by:
1. Amos Malsawmtluanga
2. Bratly Lalruatsaka
3. B.Zodinpuia
6th SEMESTERS
Supervisor
Dr. Anupam Kumar
Associate Professor
DEPARTMENT OF STATISTICS
PACHHUNGA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
AIZAWL, MIZORAM
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FORWARDED
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Prof. H. LALTHANZARA
Principal
Pachhunga University
College
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who
supported me throughout the completion of this project titled
“Consumer Behaviour on Online Shopping Among College Students.”
Amos Malsawmtluanga
Student of B.Sc(Hons)
Department of Statistics,
6th Semester
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1. Introduction
In the past two decades, the world has witnessed a paradigm shift in consumer behavior, with e-
commerce becoming one of the most prevalent ways to shop. The rise of online shopping platforms has
dramatically impacted how people purchase products, particularly among college students. This
demographic is particularly interesting as it represents the future workforce and is increasingly shaping
the future of e-commerce. With the growing access to the internet and mobile phones, online shopping
has become the go-to method for purchasing everything from textbooks to clothing and electronics.
The goal of this project is to explore how consumer behavior impacts the online shopping habits of
college students, to identify factors that influence their buying decisions, and to examine any challenges
they face while shopping online. By understanding these behaviors, e-commerce platforms can tailor
their offerings, and marketers can more effectively target this demographic.
Consumer behavior refers to the study of the buying decisions and actions of individuals or groups in
selecting, purchasing, using, and disposing of goods and services. Consumer behavior incorporates
various psychological, social, cultural, and personal factors that drive purchasing decisions.
Psychological factors: These include perception, motivation, learning, beliefs, and attitudes that
influence consumer choices.
Social factors: Influence from family, peers, and social media can play a critical role in purchasing
decisions.
Cultural and personal factors: These include values, traditions, lifestyle, and personal
preferences that shape purchasing behavior.
In the case of online shopping, consumer behavior also includes the evaluation of digital platforms, ease
of use, product reviews, return policies, and delivery options.
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Online shopping refers to the process of purchasing goods and services through
the internet. Consumers browse through websites or apps, compare products,
read reviews, and make purchases without ever visiting a physical store. With
the advent of secure payment systems, fast shipping, and increasingly
sophisticated e-commerce websites, online shopping has seen exponential growth.
Popular platforms like Amazon, eBay, Flipkart, and Alibaba have revolutionized the way consumers shop
by offering vast product selections and seamless purchasing processes.
Consumer behavior significantly influences the buying patterns of individuals in online shopping. A few
examples of how this influence manifests include:
Impulsive Purchases: Promotions such as flash sales, discounts, or the "limited-time offer"
phenomenon can encourage spontaneous buying behavior.
Brand Loyalty: Many consumers are loyal to certain brands and are more likely to purchase from
websites they trust, even when other platforms offer lower prices.
Product Recommendations: Based on browsing history, consumers are presented with product
suggestions that may align with their preferences, leading to higher sales conversion.
Social Influence: Reviews, ratings, and social media posts can strongly influence buying
decisions, with many students relying on peer opinions or influencers they follow.
Moreover, college students, being more budget-conscious, may often look for discounts, deals, and
seasonal sales, influencing their online shopping patterns.
Studying consumer behavior allows businesses and marketers to develop strategies that effectively
engage consumers, foster brand loyalty, and increase sales. Specifically, for online retailers targeting
college students, understanding consumer behavior can:
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Enhance User Experience: By knowing what students want, websites and apps can be optimized
to provide an enjoyable, efficient shopping experience.
Targeted Marketing: Businesses can create personalized advertisements and campaigns that
speak directly to students' preferences.
Competitive Advantage: Understanding the specific needs of college students, such as budget
constraints, product preferences, and convenience factors, can give businesses an edge over
competitors.
1. To investigate the factors that influence online shopping decisions among college students.
2. To explore the role of digital marketing in shaping the online shopping behaviors of college
students.
3. To identify the impact of socio-economic factors, such as income and gender, on the frequency
and type of products purchased.
4. To assess the challenges faced by students while shopping online, including issues like product
quality, delivery delays, and security concerns.
7. METHODOLOGY
Methodology refers to the way of doing things in every field. In statistical surveys, the methodology
typically refers to the systematic process of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data. It includes
the design of the survey, sampling methods, data collection techniques, and statistical analysis
procedures. The methodology section of a survey report or research paper outlines how the survey
was conducted and provides a framework for evaluating the validity and reliability of the results. It
often includes details such as the sampling frame, sample size, survey instrument, data collection
procedures, and data analysis methods.
Statistical surveys are a crucial tool in collecting and analyzing data to understand populations and
make informed decisions. The methodology of statistical surveys involves a systematic process of
designing, conducting, and analyzing surveys to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the results.
a. Research Design
The study will follow a descriptive research design, where the aim is to describe and analyze the online
shopping behaviors of college students. The research will focus on collecting quantitative data through
surveys to explore trends and patterns in online shopping among students.
b. Sampling Method
We will use convenience sampling to gather responses from 200 students across various colleges. This
method is suitable for this research as it ensures the availability of a large number of participants.
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c. Data Collection
Data will be collected through a structured questionnaire designed to capture information on:
The survey will be distributed digitally via Google Forms to ensure accessibility and efficiency.
d. Data Analysis
The data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean, frequency distribution) to identify trends.
Statistical software like SPSS or Excel will be used to generate visual charts and graphs to represent the
findings more effectively.
Survey Design: The first step in conducting a statistical survey is designing the survey. This includes
defining the target population, selecting a sampling method, and designing survey questions. The
design phase is crucial as it sets the foundation for the entire survey process.
Sampling Methods: Sampling is a critical aspect of survey methodology. Different sampling
methods, such as random sampling, stratified sampling, and cluster sampling, are used to select a
representative sample from the target population. The choice of sampling method depends on the
research objectives and the characteristics of the population.
Data Collection: Once the survey is designed and the sample is selected, data collection begins. Data
can be collected through various methods, including face-to-face interviews, telephone surveys,
online surveys, and mailed questionnaires. It is essential to ensure that data collection methods are
standardized to minimize bias and ensure data quality.
Data Analysis: After data collection, the next step is data analysis. Statistical techniques are used to
analyze the data and draw conclusions about the population. Descriptive statistics are used to
summarize the data, while inferential statistics are used to make inferences and test hypotheses.
Validity and Reliability: Validity and reliability are essential considerations in survey methodology.
Validity refers to the extent to which a survey measures what it intends to measure, while reliability
refers to the consistency of the survey results. Researchers use various techniques to ensure the
validity and reliability of survey results, such as pilot testing, pretesting survey questions, and using
validated instruments.
Ethical Considerations: Ethical considerations are also paramount in survey methodology.
Researchers must obtain informed consent from participants, protect the privacy and confidentiality
of respondents, and ensure that surveys are conducted in an ethical manner.
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8. DATA
Data refers to a systematic record of a specific quantity. It is the diverse values of that quantity
together which the sets represent. In other words, it is a set of facts and figures which are useful in a
particular purpose like a survey or an analysis. Moreover, when you arrange them in an organized
form, they refer to as information. Moreover, the source of data primary or secondary is also an
essential factor.
Types of Data:
Data may be qualitative or quantitative.
Qualitative Data: They represent some characteristics or attributes. They depict descriptions that
may be observed but cannot be computed or calculated. For example, data on attributes such as
intelligence, honesty, wisdom, cleanliness, and creativity collected using the students of your class a
sample would be classified as qualitative. They are more exploratory than conclusive in nature.
Quantitative Data: These can be measured and not simply observed. They can be numerically
represented and calculations can be performed on them. For example, data on the number of students
playing different sports from your class gives an estimate of how many of the total students play
which sport. This information is numerical and can be classified as quantitative.
Data Collection:
Depending on the data collected, the data may be classified as Primary data, Secondary Data,
Descrete Data and Continuous Data. They are as follows:
Primary Data: These are the data that are collected for the first time by an investigator for a
specific purpose. Primary data are ‘pure’ in the sense that no statistical operations have been
performed on them and they are original. An example of primary data is the Census of India.
Secondary Data: They are the data that are sourced from someplace that has originally
collected it. This means that this kind of data has already been collected by some researchers
or investigators in the past and is available either in published or unpublished form. This
information is impure as statistical operations may have been performed on them already. An
example is an information available on the Government of India, the Department of Finance’s
website or in other repositories, books, journals, etc.
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The questionnaire will include both multiple-choice and Likert scale questions to capture various aspects
of students' online shopping behaviors. Examples of survey questions include:
Discrete Data: These are data that can take only certain specific values rather than a range of
values. For example, data on the blood group of a certain population or on their genders is
termed as discrete data. A usual way to represent this is by using bar charts.
Continuous Data: These are data that can take values between a certain range with the
highest and lowest values. The difference between the highest and lowest value is called the
range of data. For example, the age of persons can take values even in decimals or so is the
case of the height and weights of the students of your school. These are classified as
continuous data.
In summary, data encompasses a wide range of information types, formats, and sources, and plays a
critical role in decision-making, problem-solving, and innovation across various domains
9. Data Used
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Demographic Information
Age: _______
Gender: Male / Female / Other
Monthly income/allowance: _______
Name:________________
Department:_____________
Family(father/mother) occupation: ____________
Shopping Behavior
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o Jabong
o Snapdeal
o Myntra
o Ebay
o Others
How many times you had online shopping in last one year :
o 0-2
o 2-4
o 4-6
o 6 and above
Did you visit local retail stores first before purchasing online ?
o Yes
o No
Did you use price comparison website before purchasing product/item online ?
o Yes
o No
When would you like to do online shopping ?
o In festival season
o Heavy discount time period
o Non availability in local market
o When needed
In your family , which age group mostly use online shopping ?
o 18-25
o 26-35
o 36-45
o 46-65
What did you buy on online shopping ?
o Apparel/Cosmetics
o Electronics/Gazettes
o Groceries
o Accessories/Appliances
o Others
Did you reduce the frequency of traditional shopping due to online shopping ?
o Yes
o No
What are the main reason you use online shopping ?
o Wide variety of goods
o Less price
o 24 hours accessibility
o Time saving
o Non availability in market
What is your preferred payment method ?
o Cash on Delivery
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o Credit/Debit Card
o Bank transfer
o Online wallet
According to you , how much reliable is online shopping ?
o 100% reliable
o 50% reliable
o Unreliable
o Can’t say
How much satisfied are you on online shopping ?
o 100% satisfied
o 50% satisfied
o Unsatisfied
o Can’t say
If a product has the same price both in local store and on the internet , where will you prefer to
buy it ?
o Local store
o Online
Have you ever faced any problem in online shopping:
o Yes
o No
What kinds of problems you faced in online shopping ?
o Delay/Non delivery
o Cheap quality
o Damaged item
o Difficulty in returning
o Others
Your opinion about customer service feedback, based on your experience about online
shopping ?
o Very Good
o Good
o Not Good
Will you recommend others to use online shopping ?
o Yes
o No
The survey will be conducted over a two-week period, giving students ample time to respond. After this,
data cleaning and analysis will take an additional one week to process and analyze the responses.
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Sample Bias: Convenience sampling could limit the diversity of respondents, possibly skewing
results toward a particular group of students.
Response Rate: Getting a sufficient number of respondents who provide thoughtful, accurate
answers.
Data Interpretation: Analyzing qualitative responses and identifying meaningful patterns in
open-ended answers.
Sex
Male
Female
Conclusion: From the above table ,it is observed that the majority of respondents constituting 52% are
male while the other 48% are female.
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Chart
50
45
40
35
30
Chart
25
20
15
3%
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5
0
Less than 1 Lakh 1 to 5 Lakhs 5 to 10 lakhs More than10 lakhs
Conclusion: From the above table ,it is observed that the majority of respondents constituting 44.9%
have the monthly family income of 1 to 5 Lakhs, 32.7% have the monthly family income of less than 1
Lakh, 18.4% have the monthly family income of 5 to 10 Lakhs and the rest 4.1% have the monthly family
income of more than 10 Lakhs.
Family(Father/Mother) Occupation:
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Chart
50
45
40
35
30
Chart
25
20
15
10
5
0
Govt. Employed Self Employed Agriculture Others
Conclusion: From the above table ,it is observed that the majority of respondents constituting 45% are
from family of Government employees, 34% are from family of self employees, 15% are from family of
other occupations and the rest 6% are from family working in Agriculture departments.
Pie Chart: categories showing percentages of respondents semesters
Chart
2nd Sem
4th Sem
6th Sem
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Chart
100
90
80
70
60
Chart
50
40
30
20
10
0
Yes No
Conclusion: From the above table ,it is observed that the majority of respondents constituting 94% have
shopped online while the rest 6% have not.
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Chart
60
50
40
Chart
30
20
10
0
I don't know about it Money transaction Lack of internet Others
risk availability
Conclusion: From the above table ,it is observed that the majority of respondents constituting 50% don’t
use online shop due to money transaction risk, 23.3% don’t use online shopping due to other reasons,
20% don’t use online shopping due to lack of internet availability while the rest 6.7% don’t know about
it.
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Chart
45
40
35
30
25 Chart
20
15
10
0
Flipkart Amazon Jabong Snapdeal Myntra Ebay Others
Conclusion: From the above table ,it is observed that the majority of respondents constituting 39%
prefer Amazon to shop online, 33% prefer Flipkart, 9.3% prefer Myntra, 8.2% prefer other sites, 4.1%
prefer Jabong, 4.1% prefer Snapdeal nd only 1% prefer Ebay for shopping online.
How many times you had online shopping in last one year?
A bar graph showing how the frequency of online shopping last one year:
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Chart
35
30
25
20 Chart
15
10
0
0--2 2--4 4--6 6 and above
Conclusion: From the above table ,it is observed that the majority of respondents constituting 31.3%
had the frequency of shopping online 2-4 times in the last one year, 25.3% shopped online 6 or more
then 6 times in the last one year, 24.2% shopped online 4-6 times in the last one year while the rest
19.2% shopped online 0-2 times in the last one year.
Did you visit local retail stores first before purchasing online?
Bar graph showing frequency of students visiting retail stores before purchasing online
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Chart
60
50
40
Chart
30
20
10
0
Yes No
Conclusion: From the above table ,it is observed that the majority of respondents constituting 57.1%
visit local retail stores before purchasing online while the rest 42.9% do not visit local retail market
before shopping online.
Did you use price comparison website before purchasing product/item online ?
Bar graph showing if students use price comparison website before purchasing product/item online?
Did students use price comparisons No. of Students Percentage
Yes 71 71.7
No 28 28.3
Total 99 100
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Chart
80
70
60
50
Chart
40
30
20
10
0
Yes No
Conclusion: From the above table ,it is observed that the majority of respondents constituting 71.7%
admit to using price comparison website before purchasing items/products online while the rest 28.3%
do not use.
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Chart
40
35
30
25
Chart
20
15
10
0
In festival season Heavy discount time Non availabilty in local When needed
period market
Conclusion: From the above table ,it is observed that the majority of respondents constituting 37.4% like
to do online shopping when needed, 36.4% like shopping online during heavy discount time period,
15.2% like shopping online during festival while the rest 11.1% like shopping online if the item is not
available in local market. recommends online shopping to others while 10% does not.
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Chart
70
60
50
40 Chart
30
20
10
0
18-25 26-35 36-45 46-65
Conclusion: From the above table ,it is observed that the majority of respondents constituting 59.2% the
age group 18-25 mostly use online shopping among their family, 25.5% choose the age group 26-35 that
mostly use online shopping among their family, 10.2% choose the age group 36-45 and the rest 5.1%
choose 46-65 age group
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Chart
35
30
25
20 Chart
15
10
0
Apparel/Cosmet- Electronics/ Groceries Accessories/ Others
ics Gazettes Appliances
Conclusion: From the above table ,it is observed that the majority of respondents constituting 31.6% buy
mostly apparel/cosmetic items on online shop, 22.4% buy electronics/gazettes, 20.4% buy other items,
15.3% buy accessories/appliances while 10.2% buy groceries.
Did you reduce the frequency of traditional shopping due to online shopping ?
Bar graph showing whether students reduce the traditional shopping due to online shopping?
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Chart
53
52
51
50 Chart
49
48
47
46
Yes No
Conclusion: From the above table ,it is observed that the majority of respondents constituting 52%
reduce the use of traditional shopping due to online shopping while the other 48% do not.
Bar graph showing the main reason students used online shopping
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Chart
60
50
40
Chart
30
20
10
0
Wide variety of goods Less price 24 hours accessibilty Time savingNon availabilty in market
Conclusion: From the above table ,it is observed that the majority of respondents constituting 48% use
online shopping due to less price, 19.4% use it due to the wide variety of goods, 13.3% use it due to the
non availability in market, 12.2% use it due to the 24 hours accessibility and 7.1% use it due to time
saving.
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Chart
60
50
40
Chart
30
20
10
0
Cash on delivery Credit/Debit card Bank transfer Online wallet
Conclusion: From the above table ,it is observed that the majority of respondents constituting 53.5%
prefer cash on delivery during online shopping, 23.2% prefer payment through credit/debit card, 13.1%
prefer payment through online wallet and 10.1% prefer payment through bank transfer.
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Chart
60
50
40
Chart
30
20
10
0
100% Reliable 50% Reliable Unreliable Can't say
Conclusion: From the above table ,it is observed that the majority of respondents constituting 53.1%
find online shopping 50% reliable, 24.5% find it 100% reliable, 20.4% don’t have an opinion and the
other 2% find it unreliable.
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Chart
60
50
40
Chart
30
20
10
0
100% Satisfied 50% Satisfied Unsatisfied Can't say
Conclusion: From the above table ,it is observed that the majority of respondents constituting 52.5% are
50% satisfied on online shopping, 29.3% are 100% satisfied ,12.1% don’t have any opinion while the
other 6.1% are unsatisfied.
If a product has the same price both in local store and on the internet , where will you prefer to buy it ?
Bar graph showing students preference of local store or the internet if both have the same product
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Chart
90
80
70
60
50 Chart
40
30
20
10
0
Local store Online
Conclusion: From the above table ,it is observed that the majority of respondents constituting 80.8%
prefer local stores over online if the items have the same price.
Bar graph showing if students had faced any problem in online shopping
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Chart
56
54
52
50
Chart
48
46
44
42
40
Yes No
Conclusion: From the above table ,it is observed that the majority of respondents constituting 54.5%
have faced problem during online shopping while the other 45.5% have not .
Bar graph showing the kind of problems students usually faced in online shopping
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Chart
45
40
35
30
25 Chart
20
15
10
0
Delay/Non delivery Cheap quality Damaged item Difficulty in returning Others
Conclusion: From the above table ,it is observed that the majority of respondents constituting 38.6%
faced problem during online shopping because of cheap quality, 18.1% faced the problem of delay/non
delivery, 18.1% faced the problem of damaged item, 14.5% faced the problem of difficulty in returning
items while 10.8% faced other problems .
Your opinion about customer service feedback, based on your experience about online shopping ?
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Chart
90
80
70
60
50 Chart
40
30
20
10
0
Very good Good Not good
Conclusion: From the above table ,it is observed that the majority of respondents constituting 76.8%
find the customer feedback helpful and 17.2% find it very helpful while 6.1% do not find it helpful .
Bar graph showing students opinion on recommending others to use online shopping
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Chart
100
90
80
70
60
Chart
50
40
30
20
10
0
Yes No
Conclusion: From the above table ,it is observed that the majority of respondents constituting 90%
recommends online shopping to others while 10% does not. So we can conclude that online shopping
has good reputation among PUC students
16. Conclusion
This study reveals that online shopping is an essential part of college students' lives. The majority of
students shop at least once a week, with clothing and electronics being the most purchased items. Price
sensitivity is the strongest factor influencing purchasing decisions, followed by discounts and product
reviews. However, challenges like product quality issues and delivery delays remain prominent.
The insights gained from this survey can help online retailers and marketers target college students more
effectively, ensuring that their needs and preferences are met. By offering better customer service,
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discounts, and efficient delivery, companies can boost customer loyalty within this growing
demographic.
Demographic Information
Age: _______
Gender: Male / Female / Other
Monthly income/allowance: _______
Name:________________
Department:_____________
Family(father/mother) occupation: ____________
Shopping Behavior
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o Yes
o No
When would you like to do online shopping ?
o In festival season
o Heavy discount time period
o Non availability in local market
o When needed
In your family , which age group mostly use online shopping ?
o 18-25
o 26-35
o 36-45
o 46-65
What did you buy on online shopping ?
o Apparel/Cosmetics
o Electronics/Gazettes
o Groceries
o Accessories/Appliances
o Others
Did you reduce the frequency of traditional shopping due to online shopping ?
o Yes
o No
What are the main reason you use online shopping ?
o Wide variety of goods
o Less price
o 24 hours accessibility
o Time saving
o Non availability in market
What is your preferred payment method ?
o Cash on Delivery
o Credit/Debit Card
o Bank transfer
o Online wallet
According to you , how much reliable is online shopping ?
o 100% reliable
o 50% reliable
o Unreliable
o Can’t say
How much satisfied are you on online shopping ?
o 100% satisfied
o 50% satisfied
o Unsatisfied
o Can’t say
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If a product has the same price both in local store and on the internet , where will you prefer to
buy it ?
o Local store
o Online
Have you ever faced any problem in online shopping:
o Yes
o No
What kinds of problems you faced in online shopping ?
o Delay/Non delivery
o Cheap quality
o Damaged item
o Difficulty in returning
o Others
Your opinion about customer service feedback, based on your experience about online
shopping ?
o Very Good
o Good
o Not Good
Will you recommend others to use online shopping ?
o Yes
o No
18. References
Kotler, P., & Keller, K. L. (2016). Marketing Management (15th ed.). Pearson Education.
Solomon, M. R. (2018). Consumer Behavior: Buying, Having, and Being (12th ed.). Pearson
Education.
Chaffey, D. (2021). Digital Marketing: Strategy, Implementation, and Practice (8th ed.). Pearson
Education.
Harvard Business Review (2020). "The Science of Consumer Behavior." HBR. Link
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