Using Online Qualitative Research Methods to Your Advantage
Published 4/1/2008
Author: Wally Balden, Sarah Wittman
Wally Balden, Director, Research and Development, Maritz Research
Sarah Wittman, Research Director, Maritz Research Canada
Summary

The internet has made all sorts of information available to the public. With the availability of online qualitative research, researchers have less of a need to travel to secure data and have a larger group of respondents they are able to reach. An additional positive outcome of online qualitative research is the heightened comfort level of respondents which allows them to answer truthfully and fully without feeling pressure from other group members.
A need for an experienced moderator is a downside to online research. The moderator must keep the attention of the respondents because if they do not it is simple for the respondent to log out. Another downside is the inability to conduct research that involves tasting a product or touching it.
There are three categories of online qualitative research: online “chat” focus groups, bulletin boards, and a hybrid qualitative and quantitative platform.
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