April Newsletter: All About MR Suppliers

This month's MarketResearchCareers' newsletter focuses upon market research suppliers. Specifically, what are the attributes of importance to buyers when selecting an MR supplier and how satisfied are clients with the performance of their suppliers?

The data and charts are from the 2010 Annual Survey of Market Research Professionals--our fifth edition of this industry-leading report.

 

Important Factors When Selecting an MR Supplier
Buyers of market research believe data quality and the quality of provided insights and recommendations are the most important attributes when selecting an MR Supplier. And not to be dismissed, cost is also a critical factor -- particularly in challenging economic times.

Interestingly, there have been shifts in importance levels among these attributes since first measured in 2005.

 

Top Market Research Providers by Category
Based upon stated satisfaction by their customers, below are the top three market research suppliers by industry segment. We applaud all suppliers that are striving to improve their service for their clients.

Sample Provider	Syndicated	Survey Software	Full Service
1. e-Rewards	1. IMS Health	1. "In-House" Software	1. Ipsos
2. Epocrates	2. Forrester	2 .SPSS	2. Knowledge Networks
3. Survey Sampling (SSI)	3. Data Monitor	3. Sawtooth Software	3. Lieberman Research Worldwide
Other Evaluated and Ranked Suppliers (in alphabetical order below)
Authentic Response/Return Path	comScore	Apian	Abt Associates
Experian	Frost & Sullivan	CfMC Survey	BASES
GMI (Global Market Insite)	Gartner	ConfirmIt	Brain Juicer
LightSpeed	Hitwise	eSurveysPro	Burke
Luth	Information Resources	EZSurvey	C&R Research Services
MarketTools/Zoomerang	J.D. Power	Inquisite	Data Development Corporation
OTX	Nielsen	InsightExpress	Decision Analysts
Research Now	NPD	IntelliSurvey	Directions Research
Toluna	Scarborough	Nebu	Eric Marder Associates
Usamp (United Sample)	Simmons Market Research	Qualtrics	GfK
Western Wats		QuestionPro	Gongos
		SAS	Guideline
		Snap	Harris Interactive
		StatPac	InsightExpress
		SurveyGizmo	Int'l Communications (ICR)
		SurveyMonkey	Kelton Research
		SurveyWriter	Lieberman Research Group (East)
		Vision Critial	Maritz
		Vovici	Market Strategies
		Voxco	MarketCast
		WebSurveyor	MarketTools
		Zoomerang (MarketTools)	Millward Brown
			Morpace
			MVL Group
			National Analysts
			National Research Corp
			Opinion Research
			OTX
			Persuadable Research
			Phoenix Marketing
			Q Research Solutions
			Research International
			Synovate
			TNS
			Vision Critical
			Walker Information
			Westat

The above rankings were based upon mean rating scores to the following question: 

Selecting ONLY the <Category> suppliers you REGULARLY use, how satisfied are you with their services? (Select one answer for each you USE--do not answer for others) 

Features of Importance to Purchasers of Online Sample
Price, sample targetability, and the representivity of the delivered sample are among the most important attributes when selecting a supplier of online sample.

Features of Importance to Users of Survey Software
With the near complete penetration of online survey methods, it is helpful for the manufacturers of online survey software to understand the features users deem to be important. Of greatest importance are:

1. Advanced Survey Creation Features (i.e., piping, rotation, etc.)
2. Price
3. Survey Branding (control of "look and feel")
4. Quota Management
5. Data Analysis Tools (i.e., cross tabulation, significance testing, etc.)

For a list of the additional 15 features of importance to users of online survey software, please refer to the 2010 Annual Survey of Market Research Professionals.

About the Survey
The 2010 Annual Survey of Market Research Professionals was conducted between January 7 and 26, 2010 with 495 MR Professionals completing an online survey. The 2010 survey includes many questions from the 2009, 2008, 2007, and 2005 research initiatives -- providing a longitudinal perspective.

Available for only $299, this report is a must have for anyone managing a market research department or company. Click to purchase.

Mike Carroll
800-872-5401
mcarroll@marketresearchcareers.com
www.marketresearchcareers.com