Online Communities (MROCs)

By Jay Zaltzman and Betsy Leichliter

Market Research Online Communities (MROCs), Insights Communities, Co-Creation Networks, and Advisory Panels are all ways to interact, with, collaborate with, and conduct qualitative (and sometimes quantitative) research among selected targets over time.

These methods may involve dozens or hundreds of customers, brand lovers, thought leaders, “creative/innovative” types, early adopters, or other targets recruited to participate in various activities. Often these methods are used in conjunction with innovation and new product development efforts.

Some companies use these resources primarily for research or co-creation on an ad hoc, project-by-project basis. Others prefer to cultivate a “community” environment that includes continuous interaction among participants, market research activities, and in some cases marketing activities such as promotional events or contests.

 

Online Communities – Strengths:

• These methods can be great for longitudinal issues, such as understanding the whole course of a decision-making process, or how new product usage evolves over time.
• Research can be turned around quickly, since participants are pre-recruited. For example, once a community, network, or panel has been established, it may be possible to start an online board the next day by simply emailing 100 or so members and taking the first 20 who respond.

Online Communities – Challenges:

• Communities can be very cost-efficient over time, but the initial investment can be significant, since a large number of people need to be recruited and incentivized.
• They can require a great deal of staffing resources to keep participants and clients engaged, to analyze input, and to coordinate how the community will be utilized by various stakeholder teams within a company.

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Find Platforms

1. Online Communities (MROCs) (19) +

   1. ActiveGroup Ventures, Inc.

      

      ActiveGroup products were developed to give clients the ability to Be Anywhere, Research Everywhere™. Connect, extend, express and collaborate in your qualitative research with new mobile solutions for the next generation of qualitative research.
      Continue reading »

   2. BlogNog / Accelerant Research

      

      BlogNog™ is used to uncover people’s feelings and experiences with the products and services they purchase or the jobs and careers they have. It is an online platform for people to express their innermost feelings, attitudes, and opinions about their relationships with different organizations and describe their real-life experiences. Continue reading »

   3. Civicom, Inc.

      

      Civicom is a global leader in serving the marketing research community with advanced virtual communications solutions for the world’s top organizations, with a strong industry presence in facilitating virtual IDIs, focus groups, online forums, private online communities, and mobile telephone and video research technologies. Continue reading »

   4. Dub

      

      Dub takes best ingredients from social networks like Facebook and Twitter like blogs, forums and tagging, and appropriate them for research and collaborative innovation. Our platforms are flexible and scalable solutions. Continue reading »

   5. FocusForums

      

      Integrated, easy to use and instantly familiar online platform that includes Discussion (Bulletin) boards, Journaling, Mobile and Analysis tools. Continue reading »

   6. Gongos Research

      

      Gongos Research uses a hands-on yet consultative style in employing innovative and foundational approaches to consumer research. Continue reading »

   7. GQTool Pty Ltd (GroupQuality)

      

      Launched after three years of research and development GroupQuality® is a qualitative and quantitative online market research tool for researchers, marketers, agencies & businesses. Continue reading »

   8. GutCheck

      

      GutCheck is a qualitative research technology company that provides clients near instant recruitment of their specific target audience, and a platform for them to conduct one-on-one interviews or group discussions. Continue reading »

   9. InsideHeads

      

      The intuitive and simple design of the InsideHeads virtual focus facility and the smooth scrolling nature of real-time text chat create an exciting environment for testing concepts, names, print ads, package designs, videos, sound spots and websites. Continue reading »

   10. Itracks

       

       Itracks has a sophisticated suite of qualitative, quantitative, online community and panel services that are easy to use and come equipped with a wide range of multi-media and social networking capabilities. Continue reading »

   11. KL Communications

       

       Our newly developed IC2 (Insights Communities – 2) platform takes a holistic approach to the insights process, specifically aimed at generating the new ideas that drive innovation. KL Communications develops customized solutions that incorporate social media, crowdsourcing, insights communities & panels, as well as traditional research methods. Continue reading »

   12. MarketTools, Inc.

       

       MarketTools’ custom market research services are supported by our groundbreaking Advanced Analytics team and our suite of market research software including Community Manager, Panel Manager and Survey Manager. Continue reading »

   13. QualTopics

       

       QualTopics specializes in online, text-based qualitative research in the form of one-on-one chats. These conversations allow a live moderator to converse in real-time, using a platform similar to instant message, and gain deeper insight into respondents’ opinions and perceptions. Continue reading »

   14. Ramius Corporation

       

       Ramius is an award winning developer of online community systems and enterprise social networking platforms. Continue reading »

   15. Revelation, Inc

       

       Using the power of Revelation Project, qualitative researchers have the ability to access in-the-moment insights without physically being there. Revelation Project unlocks deep insights while delivering more research value. Continue reading »

   16. Schlesinger Associates

       

       Schlesinger Associates is the leading data collection company offering a broad range of qualitative and quantitative solutions to your research needs. Continue reading »

   17. The Understanding & Insight Group

       

       Proprietary Products. Refined Technologies. Comprehensive Understanding. Original Thinking. Unparalleled Results. U&I Knows the Way. Continue reading »

   18. Toluna

       

       Toluna enables organizations to generate valuable customer insight by combining its online market research panel and industry leading technology. Continue reading »

   19. Visionslive.com

       

       Visionslive is an ‘on-demand’ qualitative research service provider that lets you set up live online focus groups and bulletin board focus groups in seconds, anywhere in the world, in any language at a fraction of the cost. Continue reading »

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Find Providers

1. Online Communities (MROCs) (35) +

   1. Abbott Research + Consulting

      

      Abbott Research specializes in customer experience, service industries, and insight-driven innovation, utilizing online qualitative methods such as virtual focus groups, bulletin boards, online communities, video streaming, and more. Continue reading »

   2. Adelman Research Group / A Survey Service Company

      

      Our qualitative research expertise includes consulting and facilitation of traditional as well as emerging hybrid qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Continue reading »

   3. Beacon Research

      

      Beacon Research is an innovative qualitative research consulting firm that specializes in current and emerging New Qual methods and hybrid designs in the U.S. and abroad. Continue reading »

   4. Bureau West Research Group

      We conduct in-person focus groups, as well as online discussion board groups, video-conferencing groups, one-on-one interviews, online and offline surveys, and website usability testing. Continue reading »

   5. C+R Research

      

      Our toolbox consists of in-depth discussion boards, online chats, mobile, diaries, video journaling, netnography, usability, large community panels, and more. Continue reading »

   6. Campos Inc

      

      Campos Inc is a market research strategy and consulting firm that specializes in tracking, understanding and integrating consumer trends into the services we provide to our clients. Continue reading »

   7. Centrac DC Marketing Research

      

      Virtual “venues” are now an accepted means of gathering data, thanks to an increase in researcher and consumer comfort/familiarity, acceptance and use of Internet technology. Online technologies facilitate a variety of interaction that is not generally possible in traditional settings, leading to a more robust experience, and richer data. Continue reading »

   8. Clear Seas Research

      

      Clear Seas Research provides market research solutions to clients in over 60 industries through custom research, syndicated studies and omnibus capabilities. Continue reading »

   9. Clearworks

      

      We help you listen to and observe customers and use the insights to build products, services, messages & experiences that are relevant and compelling. Continue reading »

   10. Consumer Link Moderating & Research Consulting, Inc.

       

       Consumer Link is a full service qualitative research and consulting company dedicated to making marketing research relevant. Continue reading »

   11. CSS/datatelligence

       

       CSS/datatelligence is a division of CRG GLOBAL, INC. with full use of CRG’s 28 state of the art mall offices across the US, and proprietary online panel of over 400k consumers. Continue reading »

   12. Culturati Research & Consulting, Inc.

       

       Culturati is a full-service market research firm, specializing in qualitative and quantitative research, Learning-to-Action Sessions, online research solutions, and U.S. Hispanic consulting services. Continue reading »

   13. Decision Analyst

       

       Decision Analyst focuses on questions and issues of marketing and strategy significance in qualitative investigations and analyses. Continue reading »

   14. Doyle Research Associates

       

       Doyle Research methods include webcam, bulletin board, video diaries, immersion, and mobile research, as well as a variety of specialty services including ideation, social media analysis, qualitative meta-analysis and group facilitation. Continue reading »

   15. Focus Pointe Global

       

       Expert focus group recruiting and luxurious focus facilities equipped with videoconferencing and streaming technologies in key US commercial centers. Continue reading »

   16. Gabriel Ashworth Limited

       

       We are a research based qualitative consultancy specializing in IT and Finance in the UK and across Europe, utilizing methods such as online communities, hybrid research, mobile phone research, online diaries, and more. Continue reading »

   17. Goodmind

       

       Goodmind specializes in innovative, custom, online qualitative research. Our research reports are used as a blueprint for action. Continue reading »

   18. Hagen/Sinclair Research Recruiting, Inc.

       

       HagenSinclair specialties include consumer studies–online and in-person–and B2B and executive boards and interviews. Continue reading »

   19. Halualani & Associates

       

       Halualani & Associates employs several qualitative and quantitative research methods (survey design, experiments, in-depth interviewing, focus group panels, participation observation, user research, diary studies), web panels, and triangulated designs. Continue reading »

   20. Just Qual

       

       Just Qual is a boutique qualitative healthcare marketing research firm with global online capabilities. Our experience with online research includes positioning, messaging and concept research, website usability testing and strategic acquisition projects. Continue reading »

   21. KGC

       

       KGC conducts qualitative marketing research, blending creativity, practicality, technology and worldwide market knowledge for vision into the minds, habits, and perceptions of your customers. Continue reading »

   22. Leichliter Associates LLC

       

       Qualitative and interactive research for new products, services, environments, and experiences. All methods – in-person or remote via phone, web, mobile. Continue reading »

   23. Online Market Intelligence (OMI)

       

       With OMI online panels you can access over 350k consumers, 100k vehicle owners, 20k IT professionals, and over 7000 Physicians. Continue reading »

   24. QRi Consulting

       

       Full service agency coming out of London, UK, specialising in International qualitative research using both in-person & online methods and insightful strategic analysis. Continue reading »

   25. Recruiting Resources Unlimited, LLC

       

       RRU has evolved through the years to be the dynamic, cutting-edge, boutique research firm it is today. Continue reading »

   26. Sabena Qualitative Research Services

       

       Sabena Qualitative Research provides custom qualitative research—across a broad range of categories—to deliver insight mining, strategic guidance, innovative solutions, and concept development. Continue reading »

   27. Saros Research ltd

       

       Saros is the UK’s leading database-driven research participant recruitment service. We believe the intersection of new media and established qualitative techniques represents exciting possibilities still to be fully explored. Continue reading »

   28. Saurage Research, Inc.

       

       The Saurage team applies the newest tools – online communities, bulletin boards, panels, mobile – with traditional methodologies to locate go-to-market insights for actionable strategies. Continue reading »

   29. SIS International Research

       

       Our methods include online qualitative methods, focus groups, ethnography, home visits, in-depth interviews, social media, analytics and more. Continue reading »

   30. Slaughter Branding

       

       Our national, market-leading clients rave about our broad toolkit and unique designs that help them seamlessly reach farther into their consumers world’s, without having to leave the comfort of their offices. We have extensive experience both in one-off studies, as well as in the hottest areas of qualitative research — online insights communities and panels. Continue reading »

   31. Touchstone Research

       

       Touchstone Research has extensive expertise in youth research, digital research (online qual/quant & mobile technologies), and creating and managing custom online proprietary research panels & insight communities. Continue reading »

   32. Van Patten Research

       Liz Van Patten is a pioneer in the use of online qualitative and “hybrid” (i.e., qualitative/quantitative) research methods. Since 2001, Liz has designed and executed domestic and international online research projects in a range of industries. Continue reading »

   33. Whyze Group

       

       Whyze Group provides deep insights into influencing buyer behavior to Global 2000 companies, strategy consultants and ad agencies. Continue reading »

   34. WorldOne

       

       WorldOne is the leading market research fieldwork agency in the healthcare industry, offering accurate, timely, and cost-efficient data collection with access to millions of physicians, allied health professionals, and healthcare consumers. Continue reading »

   35. Z. Research Services

       

       Companies looking to match the right online qual method to their marketing issues come to Z. Research Services. Continue reading »