Market Research has become one of the fastest growing means of gaging what you the consumer wants.It is a tool used by businessess to ultimately better serve you.New products are created and go to market everyday as a direct result of valuable information collected by experienced recruiters and interviewers.Market Research links the companies directly to the consumer.

Who benefits? We all do,Companies and consumers.

Types of market research methods:

Quantatitive Research-involves structured questions based on the company's objectives.Questionaires are pain stakingly designed to ellicit a certain response,the options are pre-determined and a large number of respondents are usually required.

Qualitive Research- is collecting consumer response data to meet certain quotas. It is subjective and is mainly one-on-one indepth interviews (IDI'S) and Focus Groups Focus Groups have without much debate become the most frequently used form of qualitive research. Groups are formed based on quotas.Many quotas are based on demographics,age,income level and ethnicity. Companies want to be sure all have the opportunity to be represented.Other quotas are based on product awarness,use or non-use,how likely or unlikely one is to purchase or use a product.A focus group is generally made up of 8-10 people and takes place in a relaxed setting with a moderator to lead the session,it is a unstructured free flowing exchange of ideas and opinions.

If you want to have your say...make a difference in the way products are designed and improved for you and your family.Want your opinion to be really worth something...get involved and participate. Companies pay participants for sharing their opinions.

How to get involved:Go to your local market research companies and complete a profile.

Here are a few:

www.murrayhillcenter.com

www.savitzresearch.com

www.fieldwork.com