Research types

The familiar idea of market research is the traditional focus group but there are many more types of sessions. Our team will fully explain the format before you go along.

Focus Group

Focus Group

A traditional method of market research where between six and eight people come together to give opinions on a particular topic. These can take place at a hostess home, a meeting room, a hotel, a viewing facility or online. You usually won’t know anyone else in the group but you’ll be put at your ease as these sessions are led by experienced interviewers.

Hospital Simulation Scenario

Hospital Simulation Scenario

Participants, both healthcare professionals and healthcare users, are asked to attend a research session in a mock-up medical environment. It could replicate a hospital theatre, outpatient department or other clinical setting. These unique environments give the opportunity for participants to immerse themselves in the research whilst being in a scenario which more truly reflects real life and experiences.

Human Factors

Human Factors

Human factors research looks at how humans interact with other objects, for example devices, information systems and procedures. It aims to design systems with real humans in mind. It is an important element in healthcare research where technology plays an increasingly important part. For instance, participants, both healthcare professionals and healthcare users may be asked to look at medical devices or new websites. Human factors research has contributed to the design of many medical devices and systems such as blood glucose meters, health information campaigns and websites.

One – to – One

One – to – One

These are sessions where the interviewer speaks to just one person to get a real in-depth feel for a topic. As with a focus group these can take place in a variety of locations but could also be in your own home, over the telephone or at your workplace.  

Online Communities

Online Communities

Online communities, or panels, are groups of people recruited to take part in a number of research sessions or projects which could last a few days, a few weeks or even a few months. They may be about one subject, or about several subjects. Over the course of the community you will be given a series of tasks  to complete such as taking photos or videos of products you use at home, writing a diary of your daily activities or answering a questionnaire.

Paired Interview

Paired Interview

These sessions are very similar to one-to-ones but two of you take part together. Pairs could be friends, partners or not known to each other at all depending on the project requirements. Friendship pairs are often interviewed together where the subject is sensitive or where people are more likely to be at ease in the presence of a friend. Friendship pairs are often used when talking to children or young people.

Pre-tasks

Pre-tasks

These work alongside market research sessions and give the interviewer a more rounded idea of the people who are taking part in the research. You may be asked to complete a task, perhaps a diary or a collage, before you come along to the session. For instance, if your research was about Christmas you might be asked to keep a two week diary of what Christmas presents you’ve bought and where from. If there is a pre-task you will usually be paid an extra incentive.

Users Tests / Usability Tests

Users Tests / Usability Tests

These are usually one-to-one sessions where people are observed using prototypes such as a new website or a new digital game. In healthcare studies people may be asked to look at, or handle, a new or improved medical device in development such as an inhaler for asthma. Please note that our healthcare studies are not clinical trials and you will never be asked to take any medications.

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