Our market research company keeps the pulse on the latest and greatest in the industry so you don't have to. We don't just talk market research, we live it, we write about it, and we share it. Our fingers hurt because of it. Often. Learn more about market research basics, tricks, trends, and ideas. Grab a fresh coffee, there is so much here, you'll need it.
Market Research Company Blog
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How Can Market Research Be Used to Fuel Strategic Planning?
Posted at: 1/16/2017 9:53 PM
The process of strategic planning is very broad. It typically involves a management team that gets together to talk about strategy, operations, human resources, and marketing for the upcoming quarter, year, or longer term. It's a process in which goals and benchmarks are created for the organization. It often lays out a vision and approach for all divisions in an organization to ensure everyone is working towards common goals. How can market research be used to fuel strategic planning? Sev
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Why Are Participation Packets Used in Focus Groups?
Posted at: 1/13/2017 9:31 PM
One of the advantages of using one-on-one in-depth interviews (IDIs) in-person or by phone, is the elimination of any group bias. In group settings, one participant can be influenced by the opinion of another. It's the job of an experienced and qualified moderator to mitigate such bias, but this group dynamic is often assumed in focus group methodologies. The same group dynamic which influences an individual's opinions is also a main benefit as to why market researchers use focus groups. Back a
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7 Reasons to Soft-Launch Email Surveys Before Jumping In
Posted at: 1/11/2017 9:18 PM
Maybe the fact that we gravitated towards a career in market research makes us risk adverse? Market research is in fact putting in the due-diligence with data and feedback to ensure management is making decisions based on facts and evidence. The fact that a company would make large strategic and market decisions without doing a survey grinds our gears. It cuts us to the core. Don't go with your gut, go with the data! How can they take such a risk? It's probably the same reason I dip my foot in
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6 Capabilities of Advanced Online Survey Tools and Platforms
Posted at: 1/10/2017 9:08 PM
Many novices in the market research realm will gravitate towards the free survey tools available online. We don't blame them. When an organization wants to obtain quick feedback from customers or an event, oftentimes a free survey tool will provide them the basic set up in order make it happen. If the organization conducts market research infrequently it may not be in the best interest to shell out budget for an expensive online survey tool which may go unused. Several benefits exist to using a
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Qualitative Battle: Focus Groups vs. In-Depth Interviews (IDIs)?
Posted at: 1/6/2017 7:50 PM
Qualitative research can provide deep insights into a customer's mind. The conversational nature of qualitative research allows a moderator to dig into the findings and continually ask "why" to get the root of a decision. It uncovers motivational factors which influence consumer behavior. How do I decide on which methodology to use? Several methodologies exist which fall into the qualitative market research realm, but two of the most popular are focus groups and in-depth phone interviews. Ea
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5 Common Acronyms | Market Research Company Rochester NY
Posted at: 1/4/2017 7:37 PM
No industry is short of abbreviations and acronyms. Those working in the field for 10+ years may use these repeatedly not understanding that a newcomer to the industry may have no clue as to what you're talking about. Market research is no different, so here are a few acronyms we commonly use with a short definition of each. DNQ (Did Not Qualify) This is a term often used in a survey or recruitment log in which the respondent file is noted to indicate the disqualified based on the requiremen
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Pairing Web Analytics with User Experience (UX) Research
Posted at: 1/3/2017 7:33 PM
In this post I am going to share ways you can ingrain simple user experience (UX) feedback into your web analytics data. Whether you use Adobe, Google Analytics, or other web analytics tracking platforms, all businesses can benefit from learning more about the "why" behind the clicks in addition to all of the "what" data you collect. Isn't UX used only during web development and for new designs? Many businesses choose to use UX research only during times of web development. UX research and eva
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5 Takeaways from the Quirk's Corporate Researcher Report | Drive Research
Posted at: 1/2/2017 7:30 PM
One of the better issues Quirk's releases on a yearly basis is their Corporate Researcher Report which highlights key takeaways from the client-side of market research. Being fortunate enough to work on both sides of the market research fence (corporate and supplier) over the past 12 years, it's always interesting to me to see how this side of the fence feels about the industry. Both sides offer unique benefits but ultimately need to work together to advance the industry and ensure market resear
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10 Must-Have Qualities of a Focus Group Moderator | Syracuse, NY
Posted at: 1/1/2017 7:26 PM
A few years back I read a book titled Secrets of a Master Moderator written by Naomi Henderson from Riva Market Research & Training Institute. The book was a good read and offered insights and actionable takeaways which I could incorporate into my work as a focus group moderator in Syracuse, NY. Moderating can be a challenging task and many learn they do not fit the profile the hard way (while actually conducting a focus group live.) It takes a person who has a combination of skills which they c
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11 Market Research Thought-Leadership Pieces from Drive Research
Posted at: 12/31/2016 7:22 PM
We don't just love conducting market research for our clients, we live and speak it. So much, that we love writing about it and sharing our stories and new ideas. In addition to sharing our posts here on the Drive Research blog, I also share more in-depth thought-leadership pieces on my LinkedIn profile. Here is a short recap of the 11 pieces I've featured on my LinkedIn profile through the end of 2016 as the Owner & President. It's been a great year, might I say. To all of our clients and fr
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7 Tips to Write a Better Marketing Research Report
Posted at: 12/28/2016 7:10 PM
If you asked me what I like best about the market research field or a market research project like a focus group, survey or in-depth interview (IDI) project, I'd always answer with the report. At the end of the day, marketing research is more of a service-based business than a product-based. But the report is a culmination of all of the hard-work and data you battled to collect. It's what puts a nice bow on your project and helps you collect your thoughts into a single document to drive strategy
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What is Sentiment Analysis? | Market Research Company
Posted at: 12/27/2016 7:06 PM
Sentiment analysis is a type of market research that's been thrown around a bit more of late. It's been of particular interest over the past decade or so as social media usage has exploded. Brands realize that consumers are talking about their products and forming opinions every second of every day on social media. As a result, companies are trying to quantify all of these perceptions and attitudes towards their brands, products, and services. Conversation is happening, and sentiment analysis at