Telephone Focus Groups & IDIs

By Jay Zaltzman and Betsy Leichliter

Telephone one-on-one and group discussions can be conducted using one of the many voice/audio conferencing systems available that give clients the ability to listen in to live discussions, or log in later to listen to recordings from a private online audio archive.  Some systems also provide translation, transcription, support for dial-outs and participant care, the ability to put participants into sub-conferences and other call management tools, webcam conferencing, online discussion boards or collaboration whiteboards for use during or between phone conferences, or special services such as voicemail/audio capture systems designed specifically for shop-alongs or other qualitative research uses.

With skilled moderating, Telephone groups can provide a great deal of interactivity and spontaneity.  Due to visual and time constraints, they don’t provide the same degree of non-verbal communication as in-person or Webcam/Video sessions, but a great deal is communicated via tone of voice, inflexion, pauses, etc.

Interestingly, during telephone one-on-ones (with or without internet support for sharing information) participants can be even more forthcoming than in face-to-face interviews — because they are getting the moderator’s full attention, and because they tend to “fill the void” rather than let moments of silence occur during a phone conversation.

 

“Participants can be even more forthcoming during phone one-on-ones than in face-to-face interviews — because they are getting the moderator’s full attention and because they tend to ‘fill the void’ rather than let moments of silence occur during a phone conversation.”

Telephone Sessions – Strengths:

• From a technical perspective, Telephone-only sessions are quick and easy to set up and relatively low cost, since participants don’t need any special equipment, can participate from various locations including places where internet access is unavailable, unreliable, or unaffordable.
• If your target is experienced with voice conferencing (as many business people are) it can work quite well for research discussions, since participants already know how to “share the air time”. If they are comfortable using Text Chat or Instant Messaging, enabling them to do so during calls (through a stream that is visible to the moderator and other participants) can build engagement and generate more input from the group.
• Telephone groups often generate more interaction and depth when participants are already acquainted (such as professional colleagues) or have strong common interests in the topic.  Asking group participants to review or share some information in advance can help establish a productive environment.

Telephone Sessions – Challenges:

• As more people make mobiles phones their primary or only phones, Telephone groups sometimes suffer from weak mobile connections, sound quality, or battery life. These risks can be reduced by encourage the use of landlines, and having backup plans if mobiles fail.
• It is important to consider whether clients will feel more or less comfortable with a “faceless” call vs. in-person or webcam sessions, and what it will take to keep them engaged — not multi-tasking!

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Find Platforms

1. Telephone Focus Groups & IDIs (8) +

   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. Fieldwork Webwork

      

      Fieldwork Webwork is a division of Fieldwork Inc., specializing in online marketing research, as well as hybrid projects that include a combination of online and in-person interviews. We can assist you with Online Focus Groups utilizing Webcams for a face to face feel, Online Bulletin Boards, and Online Surveys. Continue reading »

   5. FocusVision Worldwide

      

      FocusVision is the leading global provider of live video solutions for the qualitative market research industry, including focus group facilities, in-homes and shop-a-longs, and online webcam focus groups. 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. 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 »

   8. The Understanding & Insight Group

      

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

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Find Providers

1. Telephone Focus Groups & IDIs (49) +

   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. Advantage Research, Inc.

      

      Top Milwaukee area facility for B2B, focus groups, one-on-one interviews, in-home interviews, product placements, CLT’s, mock trials, ethnographies, taste tests, etc. Continue reading »

   4. Applied Marketing Research, Inc.

      

      For our clients we provide a full range of marketing research services including: in-home product testing; web-based survey research using advanced techniques; online tabulations, analysis, chart exports, and real-time data reporting; certified focus group moderator with expertise in online focus groups, and more. Continue reading »

   5. 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 »

   6. 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 »

   7. 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 »

   8. 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 »

   9. 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 »

   10. Clarion Research

       

       Clarion Research offers award-winning research tools, including online & in-person focus groups, IDIs, ethnographies, and immersive diaries; online communities (MROCs); telephone & online surveys, online bulletin boards, and mobile phone studies. Continue reading »

   11. 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 »

   12. 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 »

   13. 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 »

   14. 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 »

   15. Decision Analyst

       

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

   16. 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 »

   17. Epley Research & Consulting

       

       Using the Epley Probe® Methodology, executive interviewers conduct qualitative interviews to help clients learn what is beneath the surface in their relationships with customers, prospects, business partners, vendors, or others that affect the bottom line. Continue reading »

   18. Fader & Associates

       

       Fader & Associates specializes in all forms of qualitative research projects using both traditional and right-brain/emotional insight techniques. Continue reading »

   19. Fleischman Field Research

       Top-rated, conveniently located focus facility near Union Square features flexible creative studios including comfy living room, retail store, game room, mock jury settings and the Techsploration Lab, fully loaded for usability and video games. Continue reading »

   20. Focus Pointe Global

       

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

   21. Frieden Qualitative Services

       

       Gary Frieden has conducted thousands of Focus Groups, and also moderates online focus groups via webcams, telephone focus groups and IDIs, and video streaming for remote viewing. Continue reading »

   22. Goodmind

       

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

   23. Great Lakes Marketing

       

       GLM is a full-service marketing research firm that creates customized data collection plans to give our clients in-depth consumer insights. Continue reading »

   24. Hagen/Sinclair Research Recruiting, Inc.

       

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

   25. 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 »

   26. Hardwick Research

       

       Hardwick Research provides data collection, analysis and reporting for quantitative and qualitative research studies. Online qualitative methods include online chat, bulletin boards, video streaming, online diaries, and more. Continue reading »

   27. Insight Evolution LLC

       

       Insight Evolution recognizes each project for its own uniqueness and thus enables us to customize, tweak and develop data-collection methods and research techniques that will translate knowledge into actionable insights. Continue reading »

   28. Insights in Marketing

       

       Insights in Marketing is a full-service marketing research consultancy dedicated to uncovering and translating consumer insights into clear, actionable direction. Continue reading »

   29. Insights Marketing Group

       

       IMG works with companies that are facing innovation, branding and marketing challenges in a communlcatlons-saturated world. Continue reading »

   30. 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 »

   31. 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 »

   32. 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 »

   33. 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 »

   34. Primary Insights, Inc.

       

       By liberating your consumers’ Core Voice, we hear stories they may be sharing for the first time in their lives and learn how to connect with their innermost motivations. Continue reading »

   35. 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 »

   36. Rapport Marketing Research, LLC

       

       RMR’s hybrid ethnography/technology approach leverages the consumer’s natural use of mobile and online in their everyday lives. Continue reading »

   37. Recruiting Resources Unlimited, LLC

       

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

   38. 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 »

   39. 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 »

   40. 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 »

   41. SIS International Research

       

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

   42. 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 »

   43. the tapestry group

       

       Tapestry group is at the forefront of innovation in qualitative research. A team of broadband thinkers and brand engagement specialists we bring diverse expertise to strategic initiatives. Continue reading »

   44. Thornhill Associates

       

       We use a full array of methodologies and tools including pre-tasks, journaling, traditional focus groups, as well as research conducted via video, on-site, online, and mobile. Continue reading »

   45. Thoroughbred Research Group

       

       We routinely program and host web surveys, conduct traditional and online focus groups, provide full coding and tabulation services, and more. Continue reading »

   46. 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 »

   47. Whyze Group

       

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

   48. 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 »

   49. Z. Research Services

       

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