What is a focus group?
Focus groups are a part of what is called "qualitative" market research studies and use a different methodology than "quantitative" market research studies, which are traditional phone and online surveys.
"Qualitative" studies consist of gathering consumers together (6 to 10 people) or interviewing them individually, in order to share their opinions about various products or services.
In practical terms, the goals of a focus group can include:
- finding a name for a new product;
- testing consumers' reactions to an advertising concept before it is launched;
- choosing the most appropriate packaging for a product's use;
- etc.
Taking part in our focus groups or online surveys allows you to:
- see new concepts;
- test new products and services;
- take part in the improvement of products and services offered by leading companies;
- receive a compensation from $ 50.00 to $ 150.00 when you are selected and take part in a focus group;
MBA Recherche invites you to take part in focus groups or individual interviews like these
How does a focus group work?
The first step in order to take part in a focus group or individual interviews is to sign up for free to our panel.
When we are given the mandate to conduct a market research study, we first preselect people who correspond to the study’s main criteria. We then contact these people by phone or by E-mail.
If you receive an invitation by E-mail:
The E-mail will indicate the date and time of the groups, the topic of the study and the amount you will receive if you qualify and take part in the group. You just have to click on the link in the E-mail in order to access and complete a short preselection questionnaire on our website. It will only take you a few minutes.
If your consumer profile fits the study criteria and you are available, we will contact you as fast as possible by telephone in order to ask you the final selection questions and invite you to participate.
If you don't match all of the selection criteria, you will still have a chance to win a prize during our prize draw by way of thanks for taking the time to complete our preselection questionnaire.
If you are directly contacted by telephone:
One of our recruiters will contact you in order to invite you to a focus group. He will tell you the topic of the study, the date, the time and the amount you will receive if you qualify and take part in the group. If you are available and interested, our recruiter will ask you to complete a questionnaire which lasts a few minutes by telephone in order to determine whether or not you are eligible. If you meet all of the study criteria, you will be invited to participate.
You are free at all times to accept or refuse to participate. When we invite you to participate, we indicate the date, time and the exact address where the focus group will be held. You will receive a phone call 48 hours prior to the group to confirm you have all the necessary information on hand.
If you do not qualify, we will contact you again as soon as another opportunity arises.
If you don't match all of the selection criteria, you will still have a chance to win a prize during our prize draw by way of thanks for taking the time to complete our preselection questionnaire.
What happens during a focus group?
We will always ask you to arrive at least 15 minutes before the beginning of a focus group. Upon your arrival, you will be asked to show a photo I.D. and we will ask you to answer a few eligibility questions in order to make sure you qualify for the study.
The sessions are almost always recorded on audio and video tapes and you will be asked to sign a release form. The recordings will not be used for commercial or advertising purposes, but only by the research team in order to write their report.
You will be invited to wait in a waiting area where snacks and refreshments will be served. You will be brought to a room specially designed for focus groups where a moderator will welcome you.
How much will I get paid? When?
It is the company who conducts the study that determines the amount of money the respondents will receive. It is not a wage but a compensation as a way of thanking you for your time and participation. Compensations differ from one study to the other and are generally determined by the incidence of the required profile in the general population.
For example, the amount paid for a study that is looking for consumers who regularly buy cereals will be less than the amount for a study where the required respondents suffer from a rare disease. Generally speaking, compensation varies between $ 50.00 and $ 150.00 for a group that lasts 1 hour to 2 hours.
You will always be paid in cash at the end of the focus group.