>> WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN ATTENDING A RESEARCH SESSION <<

Research Strategies is a full-service Consumer & Business-to-Business Market Research Company. Founded in 1986, Research Strategies conducts over eighty (80) consumer Focus Groups a year.  These Focus Group sessions are typically conducted in landmark hotels, conveniently located to those research participants selected.  At no time does Research Strategies ever use Focus Group Research for any type of sales presentation or sales purpose.  These sessions are only used to collect consumer information on a wide variety of subjects.

Some of the most commonly asked questions by Research Participants are:

Why is it important to be on time?
Focus Groups are conducted on tight time schedules.  The session will start precisely at the time indicated.  If you are going to be a few minutes (less than fifteen (15) minutes) late, please call Research Strategies' toll-free telephone number (866/660-2910) and advise us of your situation.  Our Researchers will call ahead to alert our staff at the session.  If you have to cancel or have a delay that will be more than thirty (30) minutes, call Research Strategies to advise us.  Research Strategies' telephones are manned 24/7 or you can leave a detail message with our answering service.  When leaving a message include your name, Focus Group session location, telephone number and reason.        

What do I bring to a Focus Group Session?
You will receive a Confirmation Letter prior to the Focus Group.  This letter can be e-mailed, Faxed or delivered to you by the United States Postal Service.  The letter contains a confirmation number and the address information for the Focus Group session.  Beside the Confirmation Letter, you will need some form of identification.  This can be a Driver’s License, State ID, Voter Registration Card, etc.  If you do not receive a Confirmation Letter in time for the session, come ahead to the session and advise our staff.

What do I wear to a Focus Group? 
Focus Groups are conducted in a business atmosphere.  Wear comfortable clothes that will allow you to sit, stand and walk around easily.  If you are cold natured, bring a sweater or a coat.  Be sure to bring your glasses for reading!

Will there be something to eat? 
Throughout the Focus Group there will be several breaks.  Refreshments and food will be available.  Breakfast, lunch or supper could be served depending on the hours of the Focus Group session.     

Can I bring a friend to the Focus Group?
Each Focus Group participant is carefully screened prior to the session for their demographic and lifestyle information.  We use this information to project an exact sample of people making up your region.  When you bring someone with you to a session they will not be allowed into the session.  If your friend would like they can wait for you, but will not be allowed to talk with you until after the session is over.

Why we are not told what is the specific topic?
In a Focus Group Research Strategies is capturing your “first impression” as to the issues being discussed.  We are paying for your opinion!  If we disclose the specific topic of the Focus Group session, some people will go out and try to educate themselves about the issue and plausible solutions.  This would impact your opinion, loosing our ability to capture your first impression.

Is the Focus Group information confidential?
All information you provide Research Strategies will be kept confidential, never to be used for any solicitation purposes.  Some Focus Group sessions might require you to sign a confidentiality statement because the information we will be asking your opinion on could be of a sensitive nature.   

How is my honorarium or incentive fee paid?
Research Strategies will be paying you for your opinion .  At the end of the session you will be paid your honorarium or incentive fee in full by corporate check.  This payment is tax free, Research Strategies will not file a 1099 on the payment.  Anytime you have difficulty depositing or cashing your corporate check, please contact Research Strategies.

Why are Focus Group sessions video taped?
While in the session your facial expressions and those of other Research Participants are valuable in understanding hidden emotions and/or reactions to others’ comments or to the presentation itself.  Videotaping allows us to capture these reactions and review them after the Focus Group session is completed.  At no time are these videotapes released for any other purpose or use.

Why we never let two people who know one another attend the same session?
When two people who know one another attend the same session, then the relationship has a strong possibility of impacting their natural reaction to the issue.  This causes the Research Participants like you to be more guarded when expressing their viewpoint.

Why we sometimes ask for the demographic information upfront?   
Before Research Strategies begins calling individuals like you to attend a focus group session, we always outline the demographics of the specified market to ensure that we will obtain a representative sample. Because some demographics are tighter than others, we will sometimes ask for them upfront, usually regarding age, ethnicity, and education so as not to waste your time if the demos are already filled.