Testimonial: Coral takes part in a remote focus group

With all of our paid research sessions going remote due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we decided to ask one of our participants to share her experience of taking part in one of our projects from home and help us answer the question ‘how does remote research differ from your experience with face-to-face research?’.

There are elements of the projects that will remain the same, but you might find it to be a new experience that has its own perks!

Taking part in research from home, you will need to have access to a few different items: a laptop or computer to be able to test websites or complete any task the researcher might need. Sometimes you may also need a smartphone to test an app, or to speak with the researcher whilst you complete a task online. Besides these devices, all you need is a good internet connection and to be ready to share your ideas and feedback.

Being able to take part in research remotely also has the benefit of no commute. This will save you time and money and it means you never have to leave your comfy sofa. Coral took part in remote research last year and shared her experience with us.

What did your research session involve?

"The research session was a remote focus group, conducted via the microphone and camera on my laptop. We were asked to consider three different potential paths for a new upcoming business based on our thoughts and feelings of other products and brand directions. For example, we were shown a tag line based on a particular direction and asked our feelings about it.

We were then shown pictures of some products that fit this direction and asked questions like: whether we thought it was important, what words come to mind when we hear about a particular feature like quality, long-lasting, one-step process, etc. After being shown three different potential directions, we were asked which was most important to us."

How did you find taking part remotely from home?

"It was difficult for me at the beginning as my webcam mic wasn’t working, but the alternative option to call up a number and join the group was easy and I had no problems from there. Sometimes, when you can’t see other participants it’s difficult not to talk over each other here and there, especially with lag delaying when people are speaking, but other than that, no problems.

It was nice to be able to take part from the comfort of my own home and not have to worry about getting to and from the venue.

I was worried about the tech not working properly or not being able to contribute, but it all went fine."

What we are doing at PFR to improve your experience?

These technical issues can happen! As People for Research are currently recruiting exclusively for remote sessions, there are several ways we are trying to reduce the chances of these issues happening.

Speaking to our participant recruitment team, they shared with us some of the ways they are helping remote research go smoothly:

“We’ve been on hand to talk through step-by-step with users on the phone. We’ve sent and asked users to complete internet speed checks to ensure they have the right connection speed to take part. Our team are checking in and helping users set up everything ahead of their session as well as reminders and morning calls on the day.”

“We’ve also been providing more detailed instructions on confirmation emails on how to access sessions. Also, trying to keep everything as simple as possible: the ideal is that participants just need to click a link, rather than having to complete 15 steps before they even start the session!”

With all this help in place from the team at PFR, remote research is becoming one of the easiest ways to make money at home. Making sure participants have an easy experience is important and it makes it a more fun experience for everyone involved.

Coral, who took part in research last year, also had this to say…

Would you recommend PFR?

"I would, and I have. You’re very easy to work with and payment is easy, reliable and very prompt. I would be happy to take part in another similar session."

So it seems this working from home business isn’t so bad after all!