Join Our Panel FAQs: Online Research FAQs: |
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What are Focus Groups? |
| Focus group are opinion-seeking panel discussions where consumers are asked to share their ideas about new products or services. Groups usually consist of 8 to 10 people who join in a discussion led by a professional moderator. Often the participants in each group have common traits, experiences, or characteristics, which make the discussions interesting and informative. We currently have focus group facilities in Nashville, Tennessee and Charlotte, North Carolina. | |
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What are Online Discussions? |
| An online bulletin board discussion is a new, cutting-edge way to conduct market research with busy people like you. The discussion consists of about 15 other participants and a moderator. This format allows you to log in to a secure website a couple of times a day at your convenience and take part in the discussion. Just like focus groups, these bulletin board discussions allow you to “talk” with others online who have similar lifestyles, experiences, etc. | |
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What's in it for me? |
| The reward: Our clients understand that you lead a busy life, so as a thank you for your time, we provide honorariums to those who participate – usually $50-150 per session. Not a bad way to earn some extra money just for talking about a product you use or a topic you’re interested in! | |
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How do I join your panel? |
| If you would like to be considered for participation in focus groups and online discussions, please complete the form on the Join our Panel page. Note: Unlike some questionable businesses, we never charge you to participate in studies. In order to ensure a good match for research studies between you and our clients, we ask that you fill in as much information as possible. The more you provide, the better the chance that you will be matched for a study. And you can be sure we keep all information confidential and do not share it with other businesses. We will contact you as soon as we have a study available that fits your interests/profile. | |
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How do I opt-out once I've signed up for your panel? |
| You may opt-out at any time of your choosing by sending an email to optout@2020research.com. . You will need to provide us with your first and last name, telephone number, and your email address. We need this information to ensure that we remove your information rather than someone else's. When we receive such an email from you, we will remove you from our list within two business days. | |
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What are the basic parameters of online bulletin boards? |
The beauty of the online bulletin board methodology is that the parameters can be customized to the needs of the study. It could be a straightforward in-depth inquiry over four or five sequential days, or it could be ongoing. With online bulletin boards a discussion can be initiated for a few days, respondents can then take time off to use a product or service or complete some “homework,” and return to the bulletin board on a subsequent date to participate in follow-up research.Each day a group of pre-determined questions are posted. Respondents agree to visit the board two or three times a day, and to watch for follow-up questions throughout the discussion. The moderator visits frequently to assess participation and to post additional probes. |
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How many people does it take to conduct an effective online bulletin board? |
| There is no exact number. It can depend on the audience and their level of participation. However, 14 to 22 respondents are ideal for gathering a wide array of opinions, creating a rich discussion, and encouraging interaction. | |
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Who are the best audiences to research with online bulletin boards? |
| Online bulletin boards are ideal for researching audiences that have a low incidence, involve sensitive topics, online based (such as web community members or users of a particular website), and those who are geographically dispersed. For instance, high-level executives may be willing to participate in an online bulletin board but would not consider expending the amount of time and travel effort required to attend an in-person group. Or, respondents connected to a sensitive topic (e.g. HIV) may feel more comfortable and willing to share in the anonymous online environment. Others who have certain low incidence characteristics or unusual purchase behavior may be impossible to recruit within a particular city or region, but across the U.S. or wider area they can be found. | |
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What topics are being researched in online bulletin boards? |
| Some of the topics that are particularly appropriate are: e-commerce inquiries regarding purchase behavior and interest; website evaluation, development, and offers; sensitive topics allowing for anonymity, and high-tech products and services. In some cases, online bulletin boards are used as pre- or post-phases in conjunction with other quantitative or qualitative research. | |
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Is the information obtained in online bulletin boards different from other types of focus groups? |
| Sometimes. In an online discussion participants can complete assignments or “homework” and come back to the discussion. This makes it possible to build a multi-day inquiry that delves deeper than is sometimes possible in other types of groups. Respondents can take as much time as they desire to articulate their responses and complete assignments. Typically, one 5-day online bulletin board can provide input equivalent to three or four traditional focus groups. | |
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Are online bulletin boards going to replace traditional focus groups? |
| Not in many situations. The demand for online bulletin boards is expanding the research arena and adding new tools to the qualitative toolbox, not shrinking the demand for traditional groups. Projects that require sensory interaction (touch, smell, taste) and those that warrant seeing body language cannot be conducted online. | |
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Are respondents who they say they are? |
| If a database is used to recruit, the answers respondents submit in the screening process can be compared to the database information to confirm their identity. In cases where little is known about the potential respondents, a well-written, thorough screener, similar to in-person groups will be crucial. Respondents can be re-screened online or via the telephone, preferably, to verify their identity. Similar to in-person facilities, recruiters should establish their own databases to document past participation, to avoid cheater and repeater respondents. | |
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Do respondents in online bulletin board groups really interact with each other? |
| Yes. Many of the individuals who participate in online bulletin boards have been using the Internet for at least a few years and have participated in chat rooms or other online forums, so they are comfortable and adept at creating online relationships quickly. The guided discussion draws participants out and personalities begin to emerge, thereby creating a dynamic that develops during the group. Some suggest the absence of sight and sound strengthens the use of perceptual senses by not relying on subjective visual and audio judgments and interpretations. Respondents can choose the best time to participate, and often spend much more time than required in answering questions and interacting with others. It is not unusual for them to pose additional insightful questions for others to consider and answer. In fact, this involved level of participation is encouraged from the outset. | |
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Can respondents dominate in online bulletin board groups? |
| They can try, but one nice inherent feature is that it is much more difficult for someone to dominate a group. An overbearing respondent does not have the same power or influence with written words in the dialog stream unless they repeat themselves over and over. If this happens the moderator can privately email the respondent. More often, if the moderator just acknowledges the comment the person realizes they were heard and moves on to other thoughts. | |
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How about other influencing factors such as gender, age, accents, etc.? |
| The online environment can create a more even playing field, and can mitigate other influencing factors such as gender, age, ethnicity, accents, physical appearance or condition, and shyness... not to mention the weather. Also, there tends to be less inhibition online, and respondents are often more direct in stating their opinions and less likely to edit their thoughts because time is of the essence and input takes time. | |
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Can anyone design and conduct an online bulletin board? |
| No. First, just like other types of qualitative methodologies, it requires an experienced qualitative researcher who is fully versed in marketing, advertising, communications and consumer behavior. These requirements never change. Second, the venue itself is a different tool with different strategies and tactics for successful implementations of a study. It requires knowing how to involve the respondents, what to watch for in the participation (or lack thereof), how to effectively present questions, and feeling comfortable with the online arena. Moderators must allocate a significant amount of time each day to participate in and inspire the discussion. Without this level of involvement the discussion can become superficial and boring. | |