Internet Research: Low Cost, High Quality, Fast Turnaround
For years, the research industry has said you can have any two of the three: low cost, high quality, and fast turnaround. With Internet research, you can have all three. The Internet offers unlimited potential for data collection. Forty percent (40%) of American households already have access to it at home or at work, and this number is expected to grow rapidly. As more and more people have access, the Internet user population will be more and more representative of the general population.
Right now, WestGroup Research is conducting surveys of target populations. The most obvious target is Internet users. There may be no better way to get their opinions and understand their activity in e-commerce than to ask them about it through e-mail or directing them to a questionnaire on a Web site.
Advantages of Internet Research over Other Methods
- Collect data 7 days a week, 24 hours a day
- Gather data from thousands of respondents in days rather than weeks.
- Side by side studies have resulted in conclusions similar to those from traditional methods.
- Show or demonstrate products or concepts to respondents.
- Some respondents feel more at ease and anonymous than with a live interviewer.
- Cost is usually lower than for traditional methods.
Disadvantages of Internet Research
- Internet users may not represent your target market.
- State of the art does the basics well but limits complex questionnaires.
- Decision makers may be cautious about change and relying on such new technology.
- Representative samples may be difficult to control.
Benefits of Using WestGroup Research
- Since 1959 - 40 years of experience asking the right questions to get the "Answers" you need.
- Technology is on line and available for use now.
- Internet-literate staff of research designers and analysts.
- We understand the need for representative samples.
