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Voice Count’s President (Steve Boespflug) has moderated well over 100 focus groups for some of the largest, most successful companies in the world, and has an exceptional track record using traditional qualitative methodologies and approaches. This experience with traditional qualitative allows us to easily identify projects that can be conducted using online methods.
For projects that qualify, we employ the latest Web-based research platforms to deliver the critical information clients need to make the best strategic decisions, for nearly half the cost of traditional focus groups. This is primarily due to:
- No travel
- No facility rental
- Better show rates
- Broader geographical reach
- More information collected in less time
The virtual focus group has existed for a number of years, but it has finally reached its potential for upholding quality of results for many important research objectives. A focus group with eight participants can now easily be moderated remotely with respondents anywhere in the world.
With affordable high resolution Web cams and acceptable bandwidth, the technology is more pervasive and inexpensive than it’s ever been. We send Web cams to those who need one and provide installation support by phone. Participants simply log in to a Web site which includes functionality to see and hear all other participants in the group, including the moderator. Groups are controlled by our moderator, recorded digitally and viewed by clients from their desktop. Body language and facial expressions can be seen by all viewers. Visual aids and concepts are easily introduced and viewed online. Client observers can easily “pass notes” to the moderator privately by a simple click.
We can also create online virtual environments to measure what consumers DO as opposed to what they SAY, so research results are based on behavior and not appeal or likelihood ratings. Rich media applications allow for interactive visuals, streaming video and 3D virtual environments. We can simulate consumer shopping environments using a variety of media delivery options for visuals, sounds, and text.
We also offer online bulletin board qualitative methodologies. Instead of a one-time session, feedback is collected from respondents over time. Participants report their thoughts and experiences on multiple occasions over the course of a week or more, as they use a particular product or service on a daily or periodic basis. Respondents can use other media besides text. They can post audio recordings, photographs and video files to the bulletin board. As with online focus groups, goegraphical reach is not an issue and costs are much lower than in-person methodologies. Additionally, a larger number of participants can be involved--up to 60 participants depending on the objectives.
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