Managing Market Research ‘No-Shows’
Conducting qualitative market research studies involves many moving parts. First you have to narrow down what the ‘essential question’ of the study’s objective is so that a screening guide can be written. With a screening guide in hand, qualitative research consultant can then begin their outreach efforts to find the most qualified study participants.
Recruiting for market research studies has its own moving parts, which is why experienced market researchers will partner with nationwide recruitment services firm to manage this component of market research studies.
All it takes is getting burned a few times when you have ‘no-shows’ for
focus groups or in-depth interviews and suddenly it becomes very clear
why outsourcing recruitment to market research recruiting firms saves
time and money. Most recruiting agencies manage recruitment from
beginning to end. They project manage this component of the study,
saving lots of headache and money for the researcher.
Most market research studies have quick turn-around deadlines and having no-shows for scheduled focus groups or interviews or legitimate surveys for cash
can throw a monkey wrench into the works. If you are managing study
participants on your own, make sure you have a few extra people
recruited as standbys. You can tell them that they will be paid a small
stipend for being ‘on-call’ and if they do end up replacing another
recruit at the last minute, they will be compensated the same amount as
the other study participants.
Each focus group recruitment agency manages no-shows and substitutions
in their own way, but they always have back-ups ready. Most recruitment
agencies have internal databases of potential study participants, and if
a person is a repeated no-show, or has not been honest in answering the
screening questions, they will flag these people so they don’t get
selected for future studies.
Beyond managing no-shows, partnering with a nationwide recruitment
agency can improve the study outcomes as they are better suited to
screen and select study participants. As many qualitative studies become
more niche, or are targeted at audiences that may be more difficult to
recruit, working with a recruitment firm ensures that the study doesn’t
get derailed because you can’t find people to fill a study.
To learn more about how a market research recruitment agency can help your study, contact us today.
Original Reference: https://bit.ly/32aclaY