Did you know that the world’s population spends an average of 35 BILLION hours on the Internet every month? Seems like a lot, doesn’t it? Now I bet you are wondering how computers and Internet usage affect your cognitive brain functions? Well, let’s find out!
What do you think about the information above? Do you agree or disagree? Let us know and comment below!
To learn more about the Internet’s affects on Brain Functions, please contact Barbara Gassaway and the market research specialists at Observation Baltimore today by calling 410-332-0400 or click here! And if you think you might be interested in participating in a future focus group, sign up at www.observationbaltimore/getpaid.
Observation Baltimore has been serving the market research industry for two decades, consistently rated “One of the World’s Best,” by Impulse Survey.
Google recently announced the launch of its brand new, formal market research offering. The system works as follows:
Brands, small businesses and marketers use Google consumer surveys to conduct online market research
Google then places the questions in front of targeted web denizens when they land on a premium content page in Google’s publisher network
Brands and businesses pay $0.10 to $0.50 per response depending on targeting preferences
Google then weighs and analyzes the data
Google’s market research platform is a hybrid do-it-yourself survey combined with elements of more traditional research techniques. Brands/businesses are responsible for creating their own questionnaire; determining the target audience based on gender, age group, or geographical region; and identifying the total number of responses. Then, Google drives the sampling, weighting, and analysis. Google then provides the resulting data via a simple online interface.
What do you think of Google’s new market research offering?
To find out more about Observation Baltimore’s quantitative services, contact our market research specialists today by calling 410-332-0400 or click here! And if you think you might be interested in participating in a future focus group, sign up at www.observationbaltimore/getpaid.
Observation Baltimore has been serving the market research industry for two decades, consistently rated “One of the World’s Best,” by Impulse Survey.
Market research plays a very important role in the business world, allowing business owners to make more informed and targeted decisions. And as the market research industry continues to grow and evolve, so do the technologies that allow market researchers to better collect, analyze, and evaluate various forms of intelligence to further understand consumer behavior.
The world of market research has experienced tremendous change over the past few years as technology continues to play a larger role in our industry.
Market Research Technology Trends
Search Engines: With access to millions of individual insights, these two tools are poised to continue to grow in importance.
Social Media: Online engagement produces tons of rich data from which researchers can harvest additional insights and information to learn more about a specific target group, service perceptions, and general lifestyle interests. As involvement with online mediums continue to increase this area will become even more important for researchers.
Mobile Surveys: As we have explained before, the use of mobile devices has taken off in recent years. So it only makes sense that market researchers tap into this newly developed market to better bolster their findings.
Gamification: This involves applying game design thinking to non-game applications – like market research – to make experiences more fun and engaging for participants.
Video: Market researchers use video to record respondents in multiple situations and gain rich insights from watching behavior, patterns, etc.
Do you use technology in research? Share how & why.
The ever-changing world of technology continues to impact the market research industry in a big way – fundamentally changing the way market researchers generate and analyze insights.
To find out more, contact the market research specialists at Observation Baltimore by calling 410-332-0400 or click here today!
Observation Baltimore has been serving the market research industry for two decades, consistently rated “One of the World’s Best,” by Impulse Survey.
• Do you wish the brands you know and love would just listen to your ideas?
• Do you wish you could tell companies what you think about their products or services?
• Do you wish you had a little extra money?
Well, that is what is being offered to you by Observation Baltimore, one of the nation’s premier focus group facilities, located on the campus of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC).
Focus groups consist of opinion-seeking discussions where you, the consumer, are asked to share your opinions on new products and services with 8-10 people who share common traits – (age, gender, etc.)
How do companies find out how consumers feel about a certain product, service, advertisement, slogan, or anything for that matter? They don’t just guess. They use focus groups – which are discussion groups with similar individuals in a targeted group of consumers who are brought together for an in-depth conversation on a certain topic.
Businesses and organizations rely on these focus groups to gain criticisms, praise, and overall feedback on their products and services.
Why Participate in a Focus Group?
• You will have your opinions heard
• You will be able to give feedback to improve the brands, products and services that you use
• You will get to discuss a wide variety of topics with others
• You Get Paid!
How do Focus Groups work?
A moderator leads the group and keeps the discussion on track
During this discussion, everyone has the opportunity to share their thoughts and opinions
There may even be some form of writing or reading activity
Then, at the end, you are provided with an honorarium in appreciation for your time!
It’s that easy!
Where are Focus Groups?
Observation Baltimore, located on the campus of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), hosts focus groups on a wide variety of topics in our state-of-the-art, spacious, and comfortablesuites (photo below). If you think you might be interested in participating in a future group feel free to sign up on our database at www.observationbaltimore/getpaid
To find out more, contact the market research specialists at Observation Baltimore by calling 410-332-0400 or click here today!
Women’s History Month in the United States can be traced back to a week-long celebration of women’s contributions to culture, history, and society. Organized by the school district of Sonoma, California in 1978, President Jimmy Carter was the first to issue a proclamation declaring the week of March 8 as National Women’s History Week. In 1987, after being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project, Congress passed Pub. L. 100-9, which designated March of that year as Women’s History Month. Over the next 5 years, Congress passed additional resolutions requesting and authorizing the President to proclaim March of each year as Women’s History Month. Since 1995 Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama have each issued a series of annual proclamations designating the month of March as Women’s History Month.
Each year, the National Women’s History Project selects a theme that highlights the achievements of women in specific fields, from medicine and the environment to art and politics. The theme of Women’s History Month 2012 is “Women’s Education – Women’s Empowerment”
Observation Baltimore is owned byour own accomplished woman, Barbara Gassaway – President, CEO of The Research Group.You can read her latest article, “Me Myself and the ‘I Generation,’” in this month’s Journal of Market Research.
Named one of “Maryland’s Top Business Women” and “Future 50 Companies” by Smart CEO magazine, Barbara has over 15 years of creative market research experience in the health care and consumer industries. As a seasoned research consultant and RIVA trainer, she is considered by many to be one of the nation’s market research industry leaders. A loyal client refers to Barbara as the “rock star of moderators.”
The market research specialists at The Research Group & Observation Baltimore can help you innovate through discovery! click here to learn more!
Observation Baltimore has been serving the market research industry for two decades, consistently rated “One of the World’s Best,” by Impulse Survey. Our experienced recruiting is the foundation of our mission, as well as courteous and proactive hospitality and client services.
Hey Hon! We at Observation Baltimore wanted to take a moment to recognize our favorite city…Baltimore, Maryland! We have already told you why Baltimore is the perfect test market. Now, we want to focus on why we love Baltimore.
The Baltimore Orioles
On September 28, 1953, baseball’s owners unanimously agreed upon the move of the St. Louis Browns to Baltimore. And the Baltimore Orioles were born!
The Orioles glory years were from 1966-1985. During this time, the club had an impressive eighteen consecutive winning seasons (1968–1985), and won the World Series three times (1966, 1970, and 1983).
Unfortunately, the Orioles have been lackluster recently. And in 2011, the Birds completed their 14th straight losing season. Still, loyal Baltimoreans flock out to Camden Yards to root for their hometown team year after year (we still have hope!).
The Baltimore Ravens
In 1996, Cleveland Browns owner Art Modell decided to pack his bags and move the team to Baltimore, a city that had been without football since the Colts snuck out of town in 1984 (but that’s another story). The Browns were renamed, becoming our beloved Baltimore Ravens!
While their first couple years in Baltimore were rough, with losing records from 1996-1998, things turned around for the Ravens in 2000. In that year, the team completed its first winning season and eventually went on to win Super Bowl XXXV, while setting numerous defense records.
Since that time, the Ravens have been amongst the elite teams in the NFL. And Baltimoreans could not be happier!
The Maryland Blue Crab
Since the 1970’s, conservationists have been working hard to clean up the polluted Chesapeake Bay watershed and save the declining Maryland Blue Crab population. And all of that hard work is paying off! In fact, the Chesapeake Bay’s blue crab population (mentioned above) is at its second highest level since 1997. This is also the first time since the early 90s that the Bay has seen three consecutive years where the adult population was above the target (200 million crabs) and the combined commercial and recreational harvest was below the target of 46 percent.
If you have questions, contact the market research specialists at Observation Baltimore by calling 410-332-0400 or click here today!
Observation Baltimore has been serving the market research industry for two decades, consistently rated “One of the World’s Best,” by Impulse Survey. Our experienced recruiting is the foundation of our mission, as well as courteous and proactive hospitality and client services.
Developed in 2000 by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – better known as LEED – provides building owners and operators with an outline for green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions. LEED-certified buildings are designed to:
Lower operating costs and increase asset value
Reduce waste sent to landfills
Conserve energy and water
Be healthier and safer for occupants
Reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions
Qualify for tax rebates, zoning allowances and other incentives in hundreds of cities
LEED is transforming the way built environments are designed, constructed, and operated.
As you may know, Observation Baltimore recently expanded our facilities and services! Toward creating a pleasurable research environment, Observation Baltimore is located in a brand new GREEN building. Our space was constructed using LEED-certified, renewable and sustainable products, and we are significantly reducing our environmental footprint:
Breathe cleaner air: Finishes, flooring, and ceiling are constructed of low-impact, renewable materials, and cleaned with non-toxic products. Further, cleaner air surrounds us with LEED certified air handlers;
Water coolers and health-infused water dispensers are encouraged over plastic water bottles (available upon request);
Recycle ALL non-biodegradable materials, with recycling receptacles in every room;
Printing and copying on 2-sides unless otherwise requested;
Low mercury lighting reduces harmful exposure and is better for the environment;
Our building’s energy systems meet the requirements of Energy Performance and Fundamental Refrigerant Management which minimizes energy use and increases energy efficiency.
If you have questions, contact the market research specialists at Observation Baltimore by calling 410-332-0400 or click here today!
Observation Baltimore has been serving the market research industry for two decades, consistently rated “One of the World’s Best,” by Impulse Survey. Our experienced recruiting is the foundation of our mission, as well as courteous and proactive hospitality and client services.
On April 4, 1968, the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. was struck down by an assassin’s bullet. Soon after the civil rights icon’s death, Congressman John Conyers Jr. of Michigan introduced legislation seeking to make Dr. King’s birthday, January 15, a federal holiday. But nothing came to pass.
Even in 1971, after the Southern Christian Leadership Conference – which Dr. King headed until his death – presented Congress with a petition signed by more than 3 million people supporting a federal holiday, nothing happened.
Soon, individual states – including Illinois, Massachusetts and Connecticut – began to pass their own bills proclaiming January 15 a state holiday. But still, no federal holiday.
Then, in 1979, President Jimmy Carter vowed to support the formation of a federal holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., an action that reenergized Coretta Scott King, the widow of the slain civil rights leader. Coretta organized a nationwide lobby to support the bill. Still, the Conyers’ King-holiday bill was defeated in the House (by just 5 votes). But Coretta continued to fight for her late husband, testifying before Congress several times and mobilizing governors, mayors, and city council members across the country to make the passage of a King-holiday bill part of their agenda. But still, no federal holiday.
In 1980, singer Stevie Wonder joined the cause. He and Coretta presented a second petition to Congress, this one containing more than 6 million signatures in support of a federal holiday. Despite strong opposition, both the House and the Senate passed the bill. And on November 2, 1983 – 15 years after Dr. King’s death – President Ronald Reagan signed the King Holiday Bill into law.
“This is not a black holiday; it is a people’s holiday,” said Coretta Scott King.
The first official Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day was observed on the third Monday of January 1986. However, it was not until 2000, 17 years after the bill was signed into law, that the last state – South Carolina – signed a bill recognizing Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a paid holiday.
If you have any questions, contact the market research specialists at Observation Baltimore by calling 410-332-0400 or click here today!
Observation Baltimore has been serving the market research industry for two decades, consistently rated “One of the World’s Best,” by Impulse Survey. Our experienced recruiting is the foundation of our mission, as well as courteous and proactive hospitality and client services. We understand market research!
Unless you are a member of the Rolling Stones, time is probably not on your side (if you are too young to get this reference, checkout this clip from YouTube).
Let’s face it, it is hard to find a minute to do anything in today’s busy world, let alone find the time to do everything you want. Whether you aspire to spend more time with your family, find the time to exercise, quit smoking, or just relax, there just doesn’t seem to be enough time in the day to accomplish all of your goals.
Want more time? Who doesn’t?
Herein we provide some tips to help you move faster (and hopefully healthier and happier) toward those tasks you either enjoy more or will better serve you:
1. Shop Online: Sites such as Amazon offer life’s staples delivered right to your door, and often for a savings off in-store retail. This includes anything from tea bags and dog food, to paper supplies. Many online retailers also offer delivery cycles whereby products are sent on a schedule.
2. Beware of surfing: The average American spends 4 hours per day watching television and almost 2 hours surfing online (Neilson). If you spend 5-6 hours per day mindlessly surfing, that is 140-180 hours per month!
3. Reduce your junk mail: Safeguard your e-mail address by using a separate address to surf. E-marketers are sophisticated with sites and blogs tracking your signatures and cycling back junk.
4. Mind your mobile: We’re all guilty of incessantly checking for new messages. Incorporate one hour per day of contact-free time. Don’t become a victim of handheld addiction!
5. Say “No”: Is it really necessary to accept every invitation? Be selective about invitations you select. A good practice is to think about and balance options before accepting.
6. Proactively outline expectations: Often, people create their own time stress by promising too much. If we established realistic time expectations, even clients will understand a better product (and healthier person) will result.
The key to finding more time to accomplish your goals is not working harder – it’s working smarter!
If you have any questions, contact the market research specialists at Observation Baltimore by calling 410-332-0400 or click here today!
Observation Baltimore has been serving the market research industry for two decades, consistently rated “One of the World’s Best,” by Impulse Survey. Our experienced recruiting is the foundation of our mission, as well as courteous and proactive hospitality and client services.
