For Market Research Career Success, Embrace “Less is More”

In the Sunday New York Times (January 20th, 2013 edition), Matthew E. May wrote about, “The Art of Adding Through Taking Away.” The article points to the strength of this wisdom through ancient proverb and more recently by quoting Jim Collins, who apparently observed that, “A great piece of art is composed not just of what is in the final piece, but equally important, what is not. It is the discipline to discard what does not fit…

What Market Research Job Titles Will Fade Away?

Given that there are now many different skills involved in market research, and that each of these skill areas is increasing in complexity, how can one market research project manager excel? How can a general market research project manager have adequate skills, time and talent? Maybe it’s time to let people do what they do best. Or alternatively, perhaps assign them by the way their work will be applied?

What Can Market Research Learn from Political Polling and Laboratory Mice?

Since we’ve just completed an election cycle, with its flood of political polling data, let’s take a look at what market researchers can learn from our not-too-distant cousins: political pollsters….

Unilever Accreditation Program for Qualitative Research Suppliers

…Since the industry isn’t there yet, a client-side organization has stepped in to protect its own investments. Unilever uses qualitative research heavily, and its leaders need to be confident in the quality of market research used to make informed decisions. They are apparently willing to incur what must be significant costs to operate this program. I don’t think anybody can argue with the intent.

The Best Market Research Articles of 3Q 2012

No time to keep up with the various market research publications to find the gems?  We’ve done the work for you. Here are our picks for the best market research… Continue reading The Best Market Research Articles of 3Q 2012

Sample Size for Market Research Surveys: How Big Is Big Enough?

Sample Size for Survey ResearchHow many people need to take your survey, for you to have confidence in the results? I can answer that question two ways; a long, academic way, or a short, friendly way.
Today, let’s take the short and friendly approach.

Is It Helpful or Just Mean to Point Out Flaws in Market Research Conference Speeches?

Is it mean for me to critique ESOMAR keynote speakers? Or as someone who is passionate about prompting market research best practices, is it just good, healthy “tough love”?

Surfing Lessons for Market Research Survey Designers

In any market research survey, some participants will drop out, which is just the nature of the beast. The goal is to minimize this drop out rate so that we can meet our overall sample size goals, completely…

When Breaking Up (Market Research Interviews) is Hard to Do

Wasting time on a bad interview just frustrates the interviewer and wastes time that could be better used elsewhere, so why bother? Unfortunately, in the quest to meet sample size goals and “not waste” sunk costs, too many researchers end up completing bad interviews.

Steroids, Social Media, Barry Bonds, and Market Research: How do they all connect?

If leveraged properly, this evolution of social media can be a gold mine for market researchers. Mike Moran, in his article titled Will social media listening replace market research?, delves into the impact social media is having on market research. In the end, he answers his title’s question…