How The Consumer Market Uses Phone Surveys

By John Hall


Phone surveys have always been a very advantageous method of collecting research for various consumer markets. This process is called census matching which refers to the aligning of the demographics of various respondents. This process follows closely with the US census as it tried to match as closely as possible the numbers collected when the population has been surveyed.

Consumer research markets find it important to first figure if census matching is the best method to be used alongside phone surveys. This is highly dependent on the study as it is often based on select nuances. For instance, a telephone survey can be based on information obtained from a regional, geographic, metropolitan and nationwide search. Or it can also be used to attain information based on a select sampling group.

For instance, these types of surveys can target persons with a household income of over $50,000. Once these types of surveys are indicated as needing census matching all relevant data from the census is collected. Such information includes age, gender, ethnicity and income.

Market research companies often find this an expensive process although it may seem easy at first. The most expensive aspect of telephone surveys can be the type of sample that needs to be used. Other more expensive issues can also be the demographics and mobile phone research.

Census matching studies are often used in conjunction with phone surveys because of their availability and affordability. RDD samples, or random digit sample, are also used. Consumer market research often uses RDD sampling as a means to match census demographics.

This type of sampling can be a cheap process. When RDD sampling is used it is often used along with cell phone information. This type of search normally increases the sample size. Across the globe, many business use phone surveys as it is an effective method of research.




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