Migrating Without the Migraines

What You Should Know Before Moving an In-Person Research Project to an Online Platform

By Jackie Uwins, Uwins Research

First and foremost, we hope you and your loved ones are healthy and safe during this difficult time. In recent weeks, the research industry has faced some difficult challenges. Many of our friends and clients are finding themselves juggling competing priorities in the face of great uncertainty.

With the recent developments of COVID-19, many of our clients are shifting their in-person qualitative to online. Please know, our team is here to help and be a resource for you. If you’re dealing with projects that have been delayed or cancelled, or if you’re looking for a backup plan “just in case,” we can help you keep your projects forward when being there in person is not an option. Over the past few weeks, we have successfully and seamlessly moved many in-person projects to an online platform.

If you’re looking for a solution that can replace in-person qual, but still deliver on the deep, human understanding that qual research provides, there are a variety of qualitative digital methodologies available that can be customized for each client. Webcam IDIs, digital diaries and digital ethnographies, just to name a few, are all great ways to gather deep, focused insights on your brand or category.

Broadly, there are two online qualitative approaches – asynchronous and synchronous.

Asynchronous qualitative (e.g. digital diaries, bulletin boards) are studies where the moderator interacts with respondents over a period of time, e.g. 2-5 days, but they are not online at the exact same time of day.

  • In this case, the moderator will log on daily, to a platform, during the length of the project to read through new responses, monitor participation, address notes left by clients, send follow up questions to respondents, and analyze data.
  • Typically, we over recruit by 10% to 20% to make sure we have the desired number of completes. The attrition rates will vary per study based on the study topics and the activities or length of the study.
  • A good rule of thumb for estimating timelines are it is expected that managing/moderating/analyzing this type of study will take one person about five to six hours per day.

There are multiple platforms on the market to consider. Customer Boardroom, for example, can be used for bulletin boards and journals, digital ethnographies, advisory boards, or in-depth interviews.

There are multiple platforms on the market to consider. Customer Boardroom, for example, can be used for bulletin boards and journals, digital ethnographies, advisory boards, or in-depth interviews.

Synchronous, also known as real-time or engaging qualitative (e.g. digital ethnographies, webcam IDIs, focus groups), are studies in which the moderator and respondent interact at the same time, similar to in-person qual, except remote.

    Key benefits include:

    • Reduced time, travel, and cost by streaming live directly to your smartphone, laptop or desktop computer
    • The ability to capture moment-in-time behavior
    • Anonymity for discussing personal or sensitive topics
    • Engagement with hard-to-reach audiences
    • Easier recruitment, as there are no geographic restrictions
    • The ability to replicate live focus group environment and techniques
    • The ability to share and gain insights via robust stimuli options, including live polls, dynamic imagery and more
    • Client and moderator chats through virtual backrooms

Combining synchronous with asynchronous activities is also an option. Within one project, you can set up a live focus group, and then ask people to complete a bulletin board activity in their free time as a follow up. Adding this additional element gives them more time to complete media-rich activities like uploading photos or videos.

    Whatever method you decide, we have a variety of tips to maximize engagement and success. It’s critical to:

    • Rescreen respondents as it is an additional opportunity to build rapport and set study expectations.
    • Stay on top of project management – don’t let anything slip through the cracks.
    • Be diligent in daily moderating, monitoring, and analyzing.
    • Send clients daily update emails with excerpts of the best responses and respondent clips to listen to.
    Tips for online groups:

    • Rescreen each and every respondent.
    • Ensure tech checks are conducted ahead of time (and needed software is downloaded).
    • Ensure everyone has headsets for maximum clarity and to minimize external noise (kids, sirens in NYC).
    • Ensure respondents are at home or in a private space where they can talk freely and not be interrupted.
    • Ensure respondents are connected to a computer vs mobile phone/tables when on the go.
    • Moderators will need to manage the conversations carefully to ensure no one gets left behind.
      • They will have to call on respondents.
      • Take notes, show stimulus, and be patient.
      • A notetaker/project support is highly recommended to support the moderator.

In a traditional focus group setting, it’s easy to see who is engaged and who might be falling asleep. Raised hands, nods, and smiles give the moderator non-verbal cues to help them lead the group. Some of the key features of Customer Boardroom were designed to mimic these non-verbal cues in an online setting. Live analytics allow observers and moderators to see the question results populate in real time, like raised hands in a focus group. Respondents’ progress through the study is visually displayed, so moderators can quickly see if anyone is left behind. They can send a private direct message to respondents to find out if they need assistance. Observers can also send messages to moderators that are invisible to the group, like passing notes.

Experienced researchers know that the best insights can come out of spontaneous moments. Keeping a conversation fluid and allowing it to deviate from the topic at hand can sometimes yield the best results. Our research staff has a strong background in both qualitative and quantitative research methods. We can help you design your study guide and questionnaire so that your group stays on track while exploring different avenues. We can make recommendations about which question types work best, or which areas should be left open for discussion.

Our hope is that the current health concerns will be laid to rest quickly, and the researchers who specialize in face to face research can go back to their normal routines. In the meantime, we can help you conduct your studies online, so your projects stay on track, and your clients get the insights they need.

About the Author

Jackie Uwins, an expert in Qualitative Research, has worked in this field for 17+ years. She designs, executes, and provides actionable insights for countless complex qualitative studies, and built a reputation for seamless project management. She has an innate ability to connect with people, enabling her to easily uncover emotions and motivations that lie beneath the surface, and bring beliefs about brands and customer experience to light. Even after moderating 4000+ focus groups, ethnographies and other in-person and online research methods, she still finds every new encounter a fresh opportunity for insight. Her experience spans a wide range of industries from retail, CPG and food service to entertainment, automotive and fashion. Her degrees include a BA and MA in psychology and communication from the University of Southern California.
jackie@uwinsresearch.com, (818) 261-5016

COVID-19 May Affect Drivers of US Cannabis Consumption

Research from SoapBoxSample Reveals Cannabis Consumers Willing to Forgo Cannabis if Shortages Arise during COVID-19

March 30, 2020, Los Angeles, CA — Research firm SoapBoxSample released new data today from their ongoing CANNApinion Poll research initiative. The survey of 1,000 US cannabis consumers, fielded March 21 – March 24, 2020, focused on how the recent COVID-19 outbreak may be affecting cannabis consumption habits. While some report that they are consuming more cannabis as a way to relieve stress and anxiety, others say that they are consuming and purchasing less because they want to avoid going out in public to make their purchases (36% of those who report consuming less cannabis).

About half (51%) of those surveyed say they are somewhat or very concerned that their personal supply will run out during the recommended quarantine. A majority of respondents (68%) agreed or strongly agreed with the statement: If I run out during this time, that’s ok, I can live without it. When asked what they would do if their supply ran out, 55% said they will abstain and go without. These stats may indicate that there are a number of recreational cannabis consumers in the US who are not concerned about the possibility of having to forgo cannabis if their supply runs out, suggesting responsible consumption habits overall.

“In an emerging industry like cannabis, consumer habits are still in the beginning stages of development, and the cultural changes caused by COVID-19 are likely to have long lasting, or permanent effects within the cannabis industry.” said Jacqueline Rosales, COO of SoapBoxSample/icanmakeitbetter. “Perceived shortages, disruptions to family life, and changes at the dispensary can all significantly impact the choices consumers make.”

COVID-19 may be impacting consumers’ product choices, spending, and shopping habits, but this research suggests the pandemic may also affect the underlying reasons that drive cannabis consumption. Of those who said they were consuming more cannabis than usual since the pandemic, top reasons include stress relief (60%), to ease anxiety (57%), to ease fear/panic (34%) and as a way to cope with cabin fever (34%).

Among respondents who obtain cannabis through legal dispensaries, 57% have noticed changes in stores. Those who noticed changes reported seeing social distancing practices (50%), dispensaries offering online and pickup orders (41%), budtenders wearing gloves (33%), and hand sanitizing stations (39%). Consumers are also noticing changes to cannabis delivery services. Among respondents who obtain cannabis through legal delivery services, 45% have noticed changes. Of those who noticed changes to delivery services, 41% have experienced longer wait times for deliveries, items out of stock (38%), and delivery drivers wearing masks (38%).

To qualify for participation in this study, respondents must have consumed cannabis in the last 90 days and indicated their awareness of COVID-19. SoapBoxSample conducts bi-monthly surveys of cannabis consumers, designed to measure the cannabis ecosystem, including product preferences, purchasing habits and lifestyle trends. To learn more about cannabis research visit soapboxsample.com/cannabis.

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