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Study preparation stage:
…Web
cams?
Channel M2 provides high quality, user friendly web cams to
researchers, clients, and respondents. Simply plug the web cam
into the USB port of your computer. Channel M2 tech support
ensures this process goes smoothly.
…Recruiting?
At your option, Channel M2 offers full recruiting
services and is developing a North American and global panel.
…Unrepresentative
samples?
In North America, internet usage is quite high
(~75% of all households; higher for businesses); high speed
internet is increasing rapidly (now ~40% of all households;
far higher for businesses). Recent statistics show that online
households are quite similar to the overall population.
…Cheater and
Repeater respondents?
Prior to the interview, respondents know they
must show photo ID on camera so as to verify identity. Specifically,
respondents are directed to show their drivers license to their
web cam. Channel M2 also uses Sigma Validation to minimize repeaters.
Interviewing stage:
…Inappropriate
applications for Channel M2?
Anything that is practical to mail to respondents
can be evaluated. Additionally, respondents can be asked to
tilt their web cam to enable watching how they interact with
anything we mail them. Remote web cams can be used to greatly
simplify ethnography studies. Channel M2 is not appropriate
for testing expensive prototypes, where central location interviewing
would be a better option.
…Client-researcher
interaction during interviews?
Real-time, via a chat room visible only to clients
and researchers. Researchers and clients have the option of
sending messages to each other as individuals (private message)
or the entire research team. As with most qualitative projects,
it may be wise to have all questions to researchers from clients
go through one person on the research team to ensure that the
moderator sees only the most actionable and clearly worded questions.
… The number
of clients who can watch interviews?
Approximately 10-15 total people can participate,
including clients, researcher and respondents. The only limitations
are that clients and researchers require a high speed connection
to have a satisfactory experience.
…Respondent’s
non-verbal behavior?
With Channel M2, you get the best close-up view
of respondents in qualitative research: Direct, head-on, close-up.
All of which is recorded and can be analyzed separately. You
also have quality audio that enables listening for vocal intonation.
…The live feeling
of in-person interviewing?
You will find that Channel M2 provides a surprisingly
intimate interviewing experience. And
you will discover that many respondents prefer the convenience
of it, as well.
…Respondents
communication?
Respondents are given the option of communicating
in ways they find meaningful verbally, as well as by chat room.
In practice, all respondents communicate verbally; a minority
also communicate via chat – particularly kinesthetic learners.
This simultaneous communication appeals to all learning styles
and eliminates the problem of losing valuable respondent feedback
because other respondents were talking or the interviewer was
changing topics.
Technology:
…What does Channel M2 use for
video?
State-of-the-art web conferencing. This includes full
access to collaboration and communication tools such as chat
room, whiteboard, Powerpoint slides, screen sharing, and more.
…What does Channel
M2 use for audio?
State-of-the-art telephone conferencing. Channel
M2 will offer VoIP (voice-over internet protocol) when it becomes
as reliable and predictable as telephone technology.
…Expectations
toward Channel M2?
Anyone expecting state-of-the-art web conferencing
and conference call-quality audio will find their expectations
met. If you are unsatisfied, Channel M2 provides a no-questions-asked
money back guarantee on facility rentals.
…Macintosh users?
Our technology accommodates Macintosh computers.
A disproportionately high number of qualitative Research Consultants
and Clients are Mac users.
…Technology
problems?
The incidence of serious technical problems
is quite low — probably as low as travel, traffic, or
weather problems that occur with other interviewing approaches.
Channel M2 provides dedicated technical support in each interview.
…Network firewalls?
The incidence of network firewall barriers is
about 5-10% — a problem we identify and address during
the study preparation phase.
…Network security?
Channel M2 uses the highest standard of security
— SSL 128 bit network authentication and encryption —
the same security used to safeguard world financial systems.
…Hardware or
software limitations?
The incidence of hardware or software problems
(e.g. old computers and operating systems) is about 10%.
…Unsophisticated
technology users?
Channel M2 is quite user friendly. Users are
given personalized, free, online 24/7 demand training. Respondents
are given training prior to interviews. Clients merely need
to log on and enter the provided password.
…Respondents
who lack high speed internet?
For an optimum experience, researchers and clients
should be on high speed internet. Respondents do not require
access to high speed internet (DSL, cable, or T-1) during the
interview — although images of dial-up users will be less
crisp. Otherwise qualified respondents can also go to hundreds
of neutral locations to be interviewed.
Analysis phase:
…Getting transcripts?
Transcripts from respondents who choose to use
the chat room are available at the end of each interview. Otherwise,
to get transcriptions of the audio portion of the interview,
record as you would for telephone interviews and give the tapes
to the transcriptionist of your choice.
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