How are research participants
recruited?
How are sweepstakes winners
determined?
How do I determine what market
research tools to use?
How is the confidentiality
of a respondent protected?
How long are typical market
research studies?
What are the advantages to
working with Karlamar Associates?
How are research participants recruited?
We work with our clients to understand whom and what they wish to study.
By discussing potential types of participants, we identify relevant attributes
and determine if further segmentation is required. Identifying
these attributes upfront helps ensure adequate representation in the survey sample.
We then decide how many completed surveys are required to provide meaningful data,
and determine how many people need to be recruited.
Depending on the desired demographics, likely sources of contact are identified.
These sources range from mailing lists, to opt-in email distribution lists, to published
business listings. We take care to find the best source of qualified participants.
Depending upon the nature of the list, members of these lists may be contacted by
targeted email by the official list owner, contacted through direct mail, or called
by a tele-recruitment house. These people are then asked a series of questions to
ensure that they adequately represent the specific characteristics of the groups
to be surveyed. People who fit the desired demographics are then invited to participate
in the actual study.
How are sweepstakes winners determined?
We randomly assign each survey participant a unique User ID and password at the
beginning of the study. At the conclusion of the study, an ID is randomly selected
from those respondents that have both completed the survey and have voluntarily
provided contact information.
How do I determine what market research tools to use?
Based upon the type of decisions you need to make and how you intend to use the
results of the study, we can suggest different tools or methods that would be most
appropriate to the task. We will describe each of the different methods to you and
provide the pro's and con's of using the method. In some studies, tools may need
to be customized, or multiple tools may be required or to meet your specific requirements.
How is the confidentiality of a respondent protected?
Personal information, such as name or email address, is not collected
as part of the survey data-set. If the respondent voluntarily provides it for
the administration of a sweepstakes or individual participation incentives, this data is
stored separately from the survey data-set. In the event that the
client wishes to follow-up with participants after a survey, the participant is informed of this
request during the study, and is allowed to opt-into follow-up studies. Survey results are presented to the client
in aggregate form. No personally identifiable information is shared with the client. We value the privacy of our respondents
and do not share our respondent information.
How long are typical market research studies?
Since every client has unique requirements, there are no typical studies. Time is
dependent on a variety of things such as the type of research conducted, the number
of participants, the accessibility and availability of participants, the complexity
of the study, timeliness of the client's feedback/approvals, preparation required,
the level of analysis desired and other things like proximity to holidays and vacations.
We take all of these things into account when we develop our schedules, and list
all of the assumptions made along the way. In some cases, world events outside of
our control affect the timing of a study. For instance, it is difficult to conduct
web surveys during computer virus scares, or send 5000 invitations via U.S. mail
during an anthrax crisis.
What are the advantages to working with Karlamar Associates?
Our flexibility and ability to tailor our methods and services to meet your needs
and budget. We don't force you into a cookie-cutter approach to market research.
We realize that everyone's research needs are different and we are able to accommodate
those differences through our custom research designs.
Our knowledge of what and how information is used to make business decisions. We
have spent time in industry and know what data is required to make solid business
decisions.