Panel Recruitment and Tracking Studies

A research panel can be a reliable source of primary data. For consumer or business-to-business research, panels can be an effective and efficient method for measuring customer attitudes and behaviors.

Panels consist of pre-recruited groups that are willing to participate in research events such as focus groups or surveys.  Members (who are typically awarded cash or gift incentives) might be customers, sales leads, prospects, or market segments your company targets —executives, IT managers, physicians, lawyers, chronic pain sufferers, etc. Depending upon a client’s objectives and budget, data collection options might include telephone, mail, online, or in-person surveys. 

Although they are based on non-probability sampling techniques, with the rise of privacy concerns a panel approach may represent a sound and economical alternative to more expensive research methods. They offer their greatest utility when they are carefully screened and recruited, well managed, secure, and have member retention and replacement provisions in place. 

A Standing Panel is one maintained by a panel supplier, some of which maintain national and worldwide memberships of a million or more. These panels can be quickly and efficiently accessed. A Custom Panel is a proprietary vehicle that is recruited for a specific client. This could include customers, hot prospects, or industry experts.