The Internet has made possible a whole new array of qualitative research options. One of these options is the ability to now capture insights “in person” from respondents that may have been hard or impossible to reach in the past.. Read on to find out more about doing “in person” interviews in all parts of the world with NO travel cost.
As long as you have a computer, laptop or smartphone and a wifi signal you have the ability to conduct qualitative research “in person” in any part of the world. In the past, for in person interviews respondents had to travel to focus group facilities, which for some, made it impossible to be a part of a study. Now, many studies can be done over the Internet either within a group or one on one setting where respondents log onto a site and “the group” or “interview” is held virtually – all without travel for the moderator, the respondent or the clients. It is the same as a traditional group or in person interview except that the respondents get to be a part of the group or interviews from the comfort of their home or office (or any where for that matter).
This method of research is especially helpful in pharmaceutical research where it may be difficult for doctors to take the time to get to a facility or for patients who may be too ill to travel. Online research, whether one on one interviews or in a groups setting, still allows that personal visual interaction without the need for travel. In addition, the ability to reach respondents in all parts of the country helps in cases where there is a limit sample of specialists or rare conditions where they are few patients with the condition. The Internet allows a search for respondents from the entire country so you are not just limited to physicians or patients in a particular city. In addition, the use of online qualitative research can also increase response rate since physicians and patience can do the interview from their home or office and avoid travel time, which, in the past has discouraged attendance.
