Market Research Firms in the United States Key Terms

Survey your niche with market research firms in the United States key terms

When dealing with market research firms in the United States, key terms knowledge can help you decipher consumer desires, needs, beliefs and actions as they relate to purchasing behavior. Market research always involves data collection and analysis, the results of which are presented to clients in order to help them develop, brand and market their products and services. The following are some common key terms used by market research firms in the United States.

 

Focus groups

Focus groups are a form of qualitative research where small groups of people are asked their opinions of or attitude toward new products, services, concepts, packaging or overall ideas on a variety of topics. Focus groups allow organizations to "test" a product, concept or idea before it's made available to the general public, which can provide valuable insight into potential market acceptance.
Try: Discover all you need to know about the motivations and strategies behind focus groups at Power Decisions Group.

Ad testing

Ad testing, also referred to as advertisement testing, is a type of quantitative research generally done to measure the effectiveness, perception or targeting of an ad or series of ads in a given market. Ads can be tested in a variety of media, including print, television and radio.
Try: National Market Measures explains what ad testing is, why it's popular and ways to consider whether it's right for you.

Usability testing

Usability testing, as its name implies, focuses on researching the usability of a product by having potential users evaluate criteria such as ease of use, intended use, intuitiveness and clarity of instructions. This type of testing is performed most effectively by observation.
Try: User Centric has information about usability testing for websites.

Mystery shopping

Mystery shopping is a form of market research that uses "shoppers" posing as normal customers to measure the levels and quality of service, typically at the retail level.
Try: Learn why mystery shopping is considered by many to be an invaluable market research tool from the Mystery Shopping Providers Association.

Consumer panels

Consumer panels are select groups of consumers from specific sectors who answer research questions relating to things such as product testing, taste testing and ad testing. They are most useful for quick surveys in which a specialist, rather than a probability sample, is preferred.
Try: Explore the value of online consumer panels and how they provide feedback that matters at NPD Group.

Intercepts

Intercepts are short consumer interviews typically conducted in shopping malls, retail stores, theme parks or any location where large numbers of a target group are likely to be found.
Try: Learn all about intercepts and the inherent value they provide at Market Street Research.

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