Participant Experience: A critical part of study design
Put yourself in a participant’s shoes. Think about what they are being asked to do and how that experience can potentially bias your research. As researchers, we focus on data and aim to ask unbiased questions. However, reviewing the entire research process, not just data collection, is crucial.
Participant screening, recruitment, and onboarding are also critical in our project designs. Our presenters will discuss how the participant experience can affect the outcome of your research.
- Are your study participants frustrated, uninformed, or feel they are not being valued?
- Will they provide the quality responses you are looking for?
- What critical participant “touch points” are involved before participating in your study?
There are lots of opportunities for things to go wrong.
The recruitment firm, screener, onboarding information, discussion guide/moderator, and survey instrument all contribute to the participant experience. Learn directly from the experts, as Nancy Hardick, President of Hardwick Research, and Joanne Vega, MBA, Principal of Strategic Research Associates, discuss the key elements of the participant experience you should be considering as you are designing your research studies.
During this presentation, you will learn about:
- Barriers and motivators to research participation
- Best practices for screener development, recruitment, and participant onboarding
- Ways you can help participants feel comfortable and valued
- The moderator’s/researcher’s responsibilities at each phase of the way
Our lunch and meal choices are as follows:
- Cedar Plank Roasted Wild Sockeye Salmon – with seasonal sides
- Fish ‘n Chips – Ivar’s World-Famous dish!
- Blackened True Cod Tacos – Spicy blackened Pacific rockfish, cilantro-cabbage slaw, Cajun remoulade, mango salsa,
flour tortillas, house-made tortilla chips, pico de gallo, sour cream drizzle - Cheese Burger – 1/2 pound Newport Pride Beef, Tillamook cheddar, bistro sauce, lettuce, tomato, red onion
- Chicken Saltimboca – Alder grilled chicken, fresh sage, thin sliced prosciutto, smoked mozzarella
roasted pear, lemon-butter sauce - Grilled Portobello Stack – Alder grilled Portobello mushroom, roasted red pepper, grilled zucchini and yellow squash,
sautéed spinach, House specialty rice, balsamic syrup
Nancy Hardwick, President, Hardwick Research
Nancy has been working in the market research industry for over 30 years. She incorporates both qualitative and quantitative techniques in her practice. As a sought after moderator, skilled listener, and effective communicator, Nancy enjoys the challenge of uncovering why people do what they do.
Nancy has served as President of the Qualitative Research Consultants Association and the Puget Sound Research Forum. When not working, Nancy loves to travel (especially internationally), play competitive volleyball, backpack, sail her Sunfish, play chess, and spend time with family.
Joanne Vega, MBA, Principal, Senior Insights Strategist, Strategic Research Associates
Joanne is a seasoned researcher, recruiter, and analyst with over 15 years of experience at Strategic Research Associates. They excel in guiding clients through qualitative and quantitative study design, recruiting, fielding, and analysis. With offices in Seattle (Seatac) and Spokane, Strategic Research is renowned as a leading regional qualitative recruiting firm. They specialize in recruiting focus group participants and panelists, and conducting data collection for small to mid-sized quantitative studies for regional clients.
At Strategic Research, Joanne oversees and administers more than 100 focus groups annually, supported by a dedicated team of professional telephone recruiters.
Joanne holds an MBA in Marketing and is deeply involved in community activities, including non-profit leadership and national event marketing and management.
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