Here at B2B International, we have at our disposal a wide range of data collection techniques which can be used to bring incomparable background and thought to any research project. We will choose the most appropriate techniques for each client project that will best meet the specific objectives.
What we offer
For every project we carry out, our choice of data collection techniques is guided by the specific research objectives and requirements, making use of both qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques.
To learn more about the different data collection techniques available, take a look at the descriptions below.
Telephone interviewing
Telephone interviews are a traditional data collection method used in market research, as experts in speaking to business decision makers, B2B International offers two distinct types of telephone interviewing methodologies. CATI (Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing) and in-depth interviews.
CATI Interviews
CATI Interviews are most suited to highly structured quantitative questionnaires or for questionnaires which require complex routing. CATI research consists of numerous benefits including ability to control the sample, quotas, questionnaire flow and multiple language projects. Our dedicated in house b2b fieldwork unit includes dedicated CATI stations.
In-depth Interviews
Gathering in-depth insight from respondents across the world is also carried out in our dedicated in house b2b fieldwork unit. In-depth interviews are widely used in b2b markets where respondents are located around the country or world. This type of interview typically follows a semi structured topic guide allowing us to explore topics in as much detail as possible and tailoring the discussion as appropriate, probing in areas of more interest and/or knowledge with the flexibility to change the line of questioning if required. In depth interviews can also take place face to face in a respondent’s place of work to further explore issues and gather context around individual environments.
Online surveys
Online surveys continue to be increasingly popular and as a result of technological advancements they have become the preferred data collection methods for numerous customer and employee satisfaction surveys along with product and service feedback and pricing research.
At B2B International we use the market leading survey software ConfirmIt with a specialist in-house team of survey programmers who are fully immersed in this technology, ensuring all survey scripting is carried out in-house by our expert team. Respondents are typically invited to take part in a survey through an email invite and the survey itself usually takes around 15 minutes to complete.
We partner with a number of specialist panellist companies worldwide allowing us to easily complete online surveys using panel respondents. We take time to ensure that all panel respondents are fully screened and profiled for their decision-making responsibilities and professional activities allowing us to gather high quality responses to online surveys.
Focus groups
Focus groups create an ideal environment to understand needs, motivations and prejudices amongst respondents. Group discussions can be highly effective as they bring together individuals who have different life experiences to discuss and debate an issue. Our highly skilled moderators have years of experience in moderating b2b focus groups with respondents from CEOs and financial directors to plumbers and builders ensuring that any topics of interest are fully explored.
We understand our clients often wish to view live focus groups, and so by using state of the art viewing centres, clients are able to view the groups, or if this is not possible videos are recorded and can be shared at a later date.
A fundamental challenge of focus groups can be ensuring that 6-8 b2b respondents are available at the same time and are able to meet at the same place, and with this in mind online focus groups have become much more widely used in recent years. Online groups can take two forms; a synchronous group where respondents log in from a computer or tablet of their choice and take part in a focus group similar to a traditional face to face group. Alternatively, online groups can adopt a ‘message board’ style where groups take place over a couple of days where respondents are able to log in and out of and post their comments over this period. Both of these techniques allow the moderator to fully probe all responses similar to how this would be carried out in a traditional group.
Desk research
Desk research refers to the collection of secondary data – this being data that has already been collected. Good data sources can include libraries, online database, speaking to someone at a trade association or carrying out interviews with industry experts. The starting point for any research project is desk research and almost every single project that we carry out at B2B International will include some element of desk research. We regularly use desk research to gain background knowledge at the start of a project or to gain useful leads as we know desk research can provide some of the best sources of information to understand ‘who’ we need to interview.