Remarkable Research Includes Listening, Not Just Asking

Remarkable research is closer to our fingertips than ever before.  And it often involves listening, not asking.

One of the most efficient options is through social media research. By monitoring social media conversations using tools such as those from BuzzMetrics, Crimson Hexagon, NetBase, Radian6 and Trackur, researchers can discover customer attitudes without having to ask. This dovetails with the current hot topic of behavioral economics, which among other things, points out that research participants cannot always report their attitudes and behaviors accurately. For some topics, listening and observation is the key to gathering accurate data.

Ethnography is another option for projects where observing will yield better insights than asking. But be careful: ethnography is a nuanced discipline.  Videotaping a bunch if interviews is not ethnography.

[If you’re interested in learning more about social media market research, click here to read about our online class.]

[This is the sixth article in a series of 20 mini-posts titled, “Principles of Remarkable Research.” Don’t want to miss this series? Subscribe to our blog via email or RSS.]

Market research exists on a continuum ranging from “quick and dirty” to “meticulous and complete.” And these days, there are some quick and inexpensive methods that aren’t that “dirty” at all….when big budgets and long timelines aren’t an option, useful information can still be gathered using creative methods.

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