Which sample type is best for your research?
Sample comes in many forms. As you are designing your research study, you will need to start thinking about the audience you want to reach. This will help determine which type of sample best fits your needs.
Lab42 is able to work with many different types of sample including Online Sampling, Traditional Panel, and Client Email lists.
Online Sampling - Online sample comes from many different online sources such as loyalty reward sites, e-commerce sites, mobile games and others. For example, if an individual was shopping online, they may be directed to an offer wall where they are given the option to take a survey in exchange for free shipping on their purchase. This individual would then be verified and directed to a survey screener to determine if they meet the qualifications for the specific research study. Online sampling is best used for an easy-to-reach, more general audience since it reaches all types of people. It is efficient, quick and inexpensive but has limited targeting abilities.
Traditional Panel Sources - Traditional panel providers (like Dynata, FullCircle etc.) often maintain a database of thousands of respondents with attributes catalogued for each one such as gender, age, income, location, job title and industry, type of pets owned, political leaning, etc. Traditional panel is best utilized for a more specialized audience because you are better able to target for your qualifications. This can include audience specifications such as a small geography or a certain industry. It is also best suited for B2B audiences.
Client Email List - Client lists are used when the survey is sent to a list of emails the client has acquired.This is typically a list of their customers or prospects. These lists can be helpful if you want to survey your own customers or if your audience is very specialized.
Do you know the best type of sample for each situation?
You have a very specialized IT company. You want to survey IT professionals who work in the mining industry and use your specific software.
Client list!
Your company is developing an ad campaign to advertise a brand of lotion. You want to test these ads with the general population to ensure they are appealing and effective.
Online Sampling!
Your company has several branches but all in just one state. You are looking to survey only respondents in that state to see if they have heard of/visited your company.
Depends! If your company produces a good or service that most residents in the state would be able to use, and depending on population size of the state, an online sampling may be appropriate. If your company produces a good or service that is used only by a subgroup, or it’s a smaller state, perhaps the targeting capabilities of a traditional sample would be more effective in getting the most respondents.
You are looking to interview Grade School Teachers about their classroom habits and spending.
A Traditional Panel might be the most effective way to reach those respondents!
At Lab42 our team of experienced researchers will listen to your goals, objectives and audience requirements and suggest the sample source that is best suited for your research. Have more questions about sample or other research topics? Contact one of our researchers at contact@lab42.com.
