Versta Research Post

Online Surveys Have Same Accuracy as Phone

A new study presented by two professors from Harvard University and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst was probably one of the liveliest and potentially disruptive presentations at least week’s annual meeting of the American Association of Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) in Phoenix. Why?  Because their research challenges the beliefs of many AAPOR-ites who disregard…

Versta Research Post

Sampling for Concept Testing and Innovation

Many assume that rigorous market research always works with random samples or probability samples.  This assumption is not true.  There are many studies that require purposive sampling instead.  Purposive sampling involves finding people with specific characteristics or qualities, even if they do not fully represent the whole population, because these specific people can provide unique…

Versta Research Post

Genetics Affect Whether You Take Surveys

Despite having been on the front lines of social research for twenty five years, interviewing respondents personally and eliciting data through surveys, I still feel somewhat surprised and disbelieving that people really want to participate in research.  But they do.  Sometimes eagerly.  Almost always truthfully.  Surely, my surprise stems from my own reluctance to fill…

Versta Research Post

Social Media and Customer Satisfaction Research

This past Monday I moderated a panel of thought leaders in market research to ponder the question: “How Will Social Media Change Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty Research?” The event was sponsored by the American Marketing Association, and included participants from GfK, Maritz, MARC, SAS, Market Tools, and Versta Research. One of the fascinating insights to…

Versta Research Post

How to Conduct a Telephone Survey for Gold Standard Research

Telephone surveys are still considered the gold standard for rigorous public opinion polling and market research.  The reason is that virtually every household in the U.S. can be reached by telephone, and therefore we have careful methods of determining the probability that any individual person is included in a sample to be surveyed.  Knowing this…