Participate in Market Research
For almost all studies we offer, we use a prescreening process. Registration simply puts you in our system to receive emails or other notifications about studies you MAY qualify for. We ask respondents to indicate their interest by responding to either their email notification or via the survey link or the survey link they are provided. After filling out information for each specific study, participants must speak with someone from our office staff to receive a confirmed research appointment.
Our system contacts participants based on the initial information provided to it. If contact, professional, identifying or other information should change please resubmit the form so we can send you the studies you are most likely to qualify for.
What is market research?
Market research is one method companies use to listen to their customers. Usually small groups of people gather to discuss products and provide feedback. Focus groups are one way to make your opinion heard. They often provide the opportunity to try out new products and view new services before they are even released. Participants are usually compensated for their time, and many people often find the groups a fun and rewarding experience.
Who sponsors market research?
Research clients are typically large national companies, government agencies, and institutions who value consumer feedback. Interviewers often cannot divulge the client sponsor to prevent bias from affecting study results.
How is my data used?
We never provide any identifying information to clients at any time. Participant information is used in aggregate, often in conjunction with other locations, to help clients make decisions about products and services offered to their consumers. All information is recorded on both audio and video formats. That is primarily used for transcription and for researcher’s notetaking.
What kind of studies can I participate in?
Metro Research Services offers several different kinds of market research studies. Below is a sampling of our most common studies.
Focus Groups: Focus groups are typically comprised of 8 to 12 people. As the most common market research study format, this is in an informal roundtable discussion. Most focus groups last between an hour and half and two hours. These provide an opportunity to meet other local people who have similar interests or background as well as spend a couple of hours being paid to discuss your interests.
One-On-One/Usability/Technology Studies: Get paid to browse the web. Many companies want to ensure their websites are as navigable as possible. These studies involve one on one time with interviewers browsing websites and giving feedback on their design. They typically last between 45 minutes and an hour and a half.
In-Home/Shop-A-Longs: Our in home studies are one way to make money while window shopping. Interviewers meet participants at home, at their convenience and then visit nearby shopping destinations. Interviews are video recorded as participants shop and browse all the while being paid for their time. These interviews range anywhere from one to four hours depending on travel time required.
Taste Tests: Typically the shortest of our research opportunities. Participants visit our office and spend generally between half an hour to an hour eating similar products as they answer self-guided questions. After consuming all products consumers are free to leave our facility and are paid for their time.
Poltical Focus Groups: An opportunity to meet and debate similarly minded political folk. These focus groups are usually only a few hours long and also have between 8 and 12 participants. Although you can view a previous political focus group held at our facility here, these focus groups are only used for research purposes and are NOT broadcast unless we inform participants before their group.
Mock Juries/Legal Studies: Another opportunity for civic minded participants. These all day studies invite participants to have a glimpse on a part of a trial. Although initially there can be up to 40 participants observing, by the end of the day participants form 12 person juries and ultimately determine a verdict. Although usually lasting a full day and sometimes even two, these are some of our highest paying research formats.
How do I know if a focus group company is legitimate?
Problems rarely occur when dealing with an established marketing research company as these companies rely on the goodwill of their community to attract people like you to participate in their studies. Check the MRA member listing, or with your local Better Business Bureau or Chamber of Commerce.
Any company that asks for money is not a legitimate company. Legitimate marketing research companies conducting focus groups pay you and never the other way around! Unscrupulous companies often charge a fee to provide you with an out-of-date list of companies — and many do not even conduct focus group research!
How often can I participate?
For most studies consumers should participate in no more than one focus group every six months. Focus group companies keep track of how frequently people participate in focus groups. If asked, you should be truthful about your participation. People who abuse participation guidelines are flagged so as not to be used in our future research.