Creative Survey Result Methods

While searching the web we came across an interesting way that a company has integrated surveys into their website platform. We found this on AnswerBag.com (a website similar to Yahoo Answers, where a random user asks a question about anything and other random users can answer it). There, one of our staff members was looking for an answer about chocolates, where they noticed that all of the comments were grayed out.

It was impossible to view the content on the page. Above the comments, however, was a question: "Which of these types of cooking chocolate do you usually buy for your household?" Along with four answers: None Cocoa Powder Chips/Bits Blocks There was also an option for "I don't know/Show me another question" right below the above answers. Above this question was a statement "Answer a quick question to continue reading this page." Only by answering the question (or clicking that you want another question and answering that one) can you see the data on the page and get your question answered.

Obviously there are several reasons this type of data collection is not ideal as an overall research method. There are all the standard caveats about how this type of convenience sample is very likely to exclude such a large population that you won't necessarily learn much useful information, and many users are just going to give an answer as fast as they can so that they can so that they can see the answers to the question. Also, as a website development tool, you run the risk of losing your visitors when they scroll down the page and see that the answer they need isn't there.

But while this isn't useful for research, it's still an extremely interesting strategy. Presumably they can learn more about the users that visit the page and target them for advertisements, or they can sell that space to companies that don't quite understand how research works. They have a free incentive as well – click on the answer and view the information.

This type of innovation may not help solve the problem of getting a great response rate or a low cost sample for your surveys, but it's this type of information that could represent the future of the survey research world. It's for this reason that we at Survey Methods are always on the lookout for new advancements in survey research and methodology to help companies like yours get the information they need. Contact us to learn more about our service or get started on your project.