Utilize images and color variations to elevate the checkbox question type.

Automatically present additional, variable options based on the respondent’s answer.

Aid respondents to quickly find their selection when a high volume of options are available.

Fully engage respondents while capturing numeric data with enhanced sliders.

Incorporate images for improved respondent visualization of their preferences.

The recent ESOMAR Congress in Athens delved into many new research techniques including mobile research, social media, and communities, as well as some of the more traditional research methodologies.  One particularly interesting theme was Semiotics.  The topic of semiotics seems especially appropriate at events such as ESOMAR Congress, where the audience – from exhibitors to attendees – is global and increasingly sophisticated in conducting worldwide research.

Semiotics emerges from linguistics, and the term traditionally refers to the relationship between signs and what they mean. In research, semiotics deals more with global brands and concepts, and which symbols can be used to tie them together in meaningful ways cross-culturally. When a single brand’s ad campaign is rolled out globally, marketers must determine which images convey the same meaning regardless of nationality or location – will the images signify the same thing to one person in Delhi and another person in Tuscany?

Semiotics ties into the study of cognition and the neuro-based research practices that are playing an increasingly prominent role in our industry (all aided by advancements in software design). These types of solutions are also increasingly visible at industry events. For instance, research has now progressed from the online virtual shopping question type that is embedded within a survey to a simulation of virtual shopping that takes place in a staged laboratory environment.

Software development has carried us forward to the point where vendors such as Tobii can now utilize eye tracking software during the in-store experience. This technology has the potential to significantly augment in-store scanner data. It can indicate what items shoppers focused upon but did not purchase, as well as what items shoppers were willing to go back for even though they had left the aisle. (But will we scan the aisles more thoroughly knowing we are wearing research “glasses?”)

From the topics covered at ESOMAR Congress as well as other recent industry events, it seems clear that plenty of new and emerging research techniques are being added to the mix. The world is shrinking while technology is growing at a rapid pace. Semiotics, cognitive research, mobile, social media, are making their mark now – are you ready?

AUSTIN, TX (September 20, 2010) - Kinesis Survey Technologies LLC (Kinesis), the industry leader for robust and scalable survey software and panel management software solutions, today announced the release of version 3.0 of its highly successful Kinesis Panel™ solution.

Kinesis Panel™ is a robust panel management platform for market research panels of all sizes. With the version 3.0 release, it now includes new and augmented functionality such as a versatile campaign manager interface, expanded querying options, the ability to append project-specific data to samples, an advanced email SPAM scoring system, dynamic multilingual execution options, and much more. In addition, new APIs are available for expanded system integration and the creation of custom panelist websites.

“Kinesis utilizes the valuable input of our customers and prospective customers to ensure that Kinesis Panel™ remains on the cutting-edge of panel management functionality,” said Kinesis CTO Juha Vehnia. “Version 3.0 includes several new and enhanced features that will enable Kinesis clients to further optimize their panel management tasks, and benefit from technologies that are not available in any competitive solution.”

Kinesis Panel™ offers market researchers a highly advanced panel management software solution that includes:

• A robust infrastructure to support communities of all sizes with unlimited growth in the number of panelists
• Support for multiple panels from a single installation
• Multimode (simultaneous online, wireless and/or mobile) panel execution
• A highly flexible query tool that can retrieve any type of data and requires no database scripting
• Powerful distribution management functionality to continuously optimize sample
• Cutting-edge email delivery and tracking tools to ensure the highest possible response rates
• Customizable, real-time reporting tools for comprehensive report generation and analysis
• Access to Kinesis Community Portal™, a multimode portal solution that enables the creation of both online and mobile community websites where panelists can access surveys, redeem incentives, manage account settings, and more

Kinesis Panel™ can be integrated with several leading survey applications, but it is optimally suited for use with Kinesis’ own multimode survey software solution, Kinesis Survey™. For more information about Kinesis Panel™, click here.

About Kinesis Survey Technologies
Kinesis Survey Technologies, LLC provides a comprehensive survey and panel management product suite to advance innovation in both mobile and web-based market research. Delivering intuitive, state-of-the-art applications, Kinesis software products can be effectively utilized without deep programming knowledge yet are robust enough to perform the most complex of survey and panel functions. Headquartered in Austin, TX, Kinesis offers product versions for both the market research industry and enterprise business organizations, and proudly supports next generation research applications worldwide.

One of the most powerful tools in modern market research is the online community portal. It enables one-stop access to all community information for panelists, and provides a comprehensive method for soliciting and collecting feedback for researchers. But while creating an online community is fairly easy, maintaining a successful online community often proves challenging.

In order for any online community to grow and thrive, it must meet the needs and expectations of its members. The highly prolific social media sites – Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn – are perfect examples of how to do it right; each keeps its membership loyal and growing by meeting the users’ needs. And while the purpose of market research communities is largely different from that of social media sites, the factors that determine their success are largely the same. Three key issues often cause the failure of online communities: Engagement, Personalization and Flexibility. So if your community isn’t thriving, consider how effective your portal website is relative to these factors.

Engagement. Panel members have way too many alternatives that are just a click away. Your portal has to be engaging, or you risk your members going elsewhere. How do you engage panelists? By keeping your portal fresh, informative and dynamic. Update your pages regularly so panelists aren’t always looking at the same old, tired content. Use a critical eye when determining what content to include – ensure everything there is informative and valuable to the community. And who says research has to be boring? There are many dynamic tools available to keep your portal pages (and surveys) exciting. Interactive media, Flash imagery, plug-ins, contests, games, etc. give your portal some added “wow” factor.

Personalization. Every panel member wants to feel valued. This entails ensuring that each member feels they are both part of the collective group, and also unique within the community. Clearly display active surveys, incentives, and panel information to all members, and include a discussion forum for group interaction. But also enable panelists to log in and access a personalized space. Examples of personalized content include lists of available surveys and past survey participation (history), the ability to track incentive points and redeem rewards, and options to update user information, passwords, etc.

Flexibility. Web access is no longer limited to computers, and your portal shouldn’t be either. When a new survey is posted to the portal, typically an email notification is sent to members. With the rise of smartphones, many members receive their email on a mobile device, and will want to access the portal directly from their phone. While it may not be possible to make every aspect of the portal functional from a mobile phone, the most commonly utilized features should work regardless of the device type. Not providing this functionality will frustrate your panelists, and may cost you their membership. Consider having a multimode portal, or a distinct mobile version of your portal, to maximize flexibility.

Panelist communities are a valuable research tool, and will continue to gain in popularity along with all of the other types of online communities as users enjoy the social aspects of participation. In fact, in many cases individuals who would not join a typical survey-based research panel will join when the community approach is utilized, thus enabling you to recruit panelists across a wider demographic. And by maximizing your community portal’s engagement, personalization and flexibility, you can keep a good portal from going bad.