Archive for the ‘Online Focus Groups’ Category
Thursday, April 27th, 2006
Online research is fast becoming a more dominant methodology in today’s business environment. At B2B International we have been pioneers of the most up-to-date technologies when it comes to business-to-business research – utilising online surveys, online focus groups, and online panels to conduct research.
On our website you can now view a sample e-survey that outlines what can be achieved with our online survey software. The sample survey only scratches the surface of our capabilities – if you would like more details into our online capabilities, you can either check our website, or contact one of our research executives on 0161 440 6000.
You can view the online survey demo here.
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Online Research, Online Focus Groups, Esurveys, B2B News, Articles |
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Tuesday, March 7th, 2006
So, what are the key advantages of online focus groups?
The spread of respondents that can be obtained by an online discussion is an enormous advantage, as it allows us to set up discussions between decision-makers across different timescales. Respondents can log in to the conversation at any time of the day or night without having to travel to a viewing centre. This means that decision-makers from all over the country - or even all over the world – can take part in the same discussion.
The flexible timescale used by an online focus group enables the researcher to include senior and busy professionals in a focus group for the first time. Senior decision-makers can fit the discussion into their busy schedules without being tied to a particular meeting time or spending time travelling to a viewing centre.
Online focus groups generate an enormous amount of information. In a typical face-to-face focus group, 8 or 9 respondents will converse over an hour and a half. This means that each has contributed for an average of about 10 minutes. With an online focus group however, respondents typically spend at least an hour contributing to the discussion over 2 days, which means a much greater volume of valuable information for the researcher.
The information gained from online focus groups is often as in-depth, if not more in-depth, than in face-to-face groups. Answers to questions can be probed by the moderator for extra detail or clarification, and respondents have all the time they need to reflect on their answers.
Finally online focus groups provide extremely reliable data, as the anonymity of a ‘virtual’ environment increases respondents’ willingness to air their most honest views. Respondents who may be shy or quiet in a face-to-face focus group have the time to reflect and the privacy to give a true account. Sometimes it is surprising just how candid respondents can be!
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This article was written by Matthew Harrison
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Qualitative Research, Online Research, Online Focus Groups, Market Research, Articles |
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Friday, March 3rd, 2006
Online focus groups are discussions conducted over the Internet between a researcher (the ‘moderator’) and a group of respondents.
They work in the same way as Internet ‘bulletin boards’. Respondents – who are invited to take part by email or over the telephone - are given a user name and password. This allows them to log in to a secure web-site, on which a list of questions is ‘posted’.
Respondents make their way through the questions, giving answers not only to the original question but also to the views of the other participants and follow-up questions from the moderator. The discussion is therefore interactive, dynamic and in-depth.
The discussion typically takes place over 2 days, allowing respondents to log in and give their views at their own convenience. The questions are laid out so that everyone’s views on each question can be seen by respondents who join the conversation afterwards. Nobody misses out by joining the discussion late!
The groups are conducted in 2 manageable chunks of 1 day each – a first group of questions appear on the board at the beginning of day 1, with more questions appearing at the start of day 2.
As with face-to-face focus groups, respondents can be presented with stimuli, which they can look at on-screen. Marketing materials, design concepts and web-sites can all be presented to respondents at the click of a button so that respondents can give their views.
The discussion can be viewed by our clients from start to finish from the office, home, or anywhere else with Internet access.
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This article was written by Matthew Harrison
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Qualitative Research, Online Research, Online Focus Groups, Market Research, Articles |
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