The mental health crisis in the U.S. affects all of us, especially those involved in qualitative research. Stressed and depressed respondents, stressful client demands, and lack of management support can trigger insecurity, anxiety, depression, and burnout in researchers. Fortunately, there are many things that we can do individually, and as managers and leaders, to promote employee well-being and improved mental health ..read more

Writing a research report requires planning and attention to detail to ensure that the reporting experience goes smoothly and that it results in a deliverable with actionable insights. Yogi Berra said, “If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up someplace else.” So, decide where you are going with your research. Identify the survey questions that will answer the research objectives ..read more

Creativity is not about “thinking outside the box”, nor is it limited to only a select few that were born into it. Anyone can learn to become more creative in meaningful, useful ways. Creativity is a complex process with lots of facets and lots of possibilities. It’s a set of thinking skills that can be learned and practiced, that can boost your career and help make your life better ..read more

Qualitative recruiting is increasingly looking for needles in haystacks while quality participants are becoming harder to find. Researchers are creating more complex screeners for longer, more complex projects with shorter, less-flexible timelines. Recruiters are using technology and social media to find participants with more specific demographics and from underrepresented groups. Everyone is balancing security and fraud issues while still trying to protect participant privacy and create a positive experience for participants ..read more

For qualitative researchers active listening is a required skill that can be developed. It’s one thing to be a good listener and yet another entirely to listen with rigor and unrelenting focus, all while maintaining genuine curiosity and an open heart, and suspending judgement, biases, and assumptions about what’s being said or about to be said. This type of curious, compassionate listening is critical for developing high-quality insights. But how do we maintain a high level of engagement while listening ..read more

Final in-person purchase decisions are made at the store. A store is the only place where the brand, product, packaging, messaging, pricing, and competitors are all present in one physical location—where shoppers can see and touch the options. Observing the shopper in the store environment is a powerful way to measure the quality of the shopping experience and to gather an understanding of the shopper’s behaviors, preferences, needs and, in some cases, how the environment shapes those behaviors and actions ..read more

Inclusive consumer research paints a rich picture of human behavior by capturing diverse perspectives. It goes beyond the checkboxes and incorporates screening criteria that engage a broader range of respondents, providing a more authentic representation of your audience. Here are 10 actionable tips to build bridges, not barriers, in your next research project ..read more

Are You Ready For Some Football? Are You Ready For Some Ads? According to Ad Age, a 30-second spot for the Super Bowl is going for approximately $7 million. Given all that money, it is critical that the ads have a purpose and a driving strategy, and fits within the overall campaign ..read more

Decision Analyst's Heather Kluter recently attended the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). This annual event is a celebration of groundbreaking advancements in technology. From smart home innovations, and wearables to emerging tech like virtual and augmented reality, CES highlighted the technological tapestry that defines our modern world. Heather has put together a list of innovations and new products she finds inspiring ..read more

The world around us is constantly changing. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global population is aging at a much faster pace than in the past. Between 2015 and 2050, the proportion of the world’s population aged 60 and over will nearly double. Here are 6 megatrends being observed now that will have an impact on your business ..read more