FAQ's
What is marketing research?
What is a focus group or group discussion?
Where will the focus groups be held?
How often do you hold focus groups?
What is the role of The Turover Straus Group Inc. in the marketing research process?
What is the difference between marketing research and telemarketing?
Is my information shared with others?
What are my responsibilities as a research participant?
What if my contact, demographic, or usage information changes?
Why are there restrictions regarding how often I can participate?
Why can’t my family and friends participate with me?
Can I call in to participate in a research study?
How do the organizations make money?
What type of organizations can join the program?
What happens after I fill out the Participant Registration?
What is marketing research? Back to Top 
Marketing research is a profession that provides information and opinions on products and services to manufacturers and service providers.
Researchers are the link between the users of the products and services and the companies who provide the products and services. This process aids in the development of new products and services, and provides helpful information for improving existing ones.
What is a focus group or group discussion? Back to Top
Typically, it is a group of 8 to 10 individuals with certain usage traits in common. These individuals, along with a leader or moderator, discuss their opinions and experiences about a given topic. The session is interactive; each person is given the opportunity and is expected to share their opinions and experiences.
Where will the focus groups be held? Back to Top
The meetings are usually held at our facility, conveniently located near James River Freeway and National Avenue.
How often do you hold focus groups? Back to Top
Focus groups are based upon client need and meetings are held throughout the year. It is important to remember to avoid last minute schedule change requests, since it is hard for us to do any last minute rescheduling.
What is the role of The Turover Straus Group, Inc. in the marketing research process? Back to Top
We recruit individuals to participate in the research and provide facilities necessary to complete the process.
Our clients typically conduct the actual research in facility. Respondents are typically talking with a representative of the client during the research.
Who is the client? Back to Top
Most client sponsors are not revealed. They are typically large corporations with the desire to include their customers and/or the general public’s opinions in the design or improvement process of their products and services.
Comments and ideas discussed or discovered during the group discussion or interview become the property of the client. They may use this information in the decision making process, advertising, packaging, or product design.
What is the difference between marketing research and telemarketing? Back to Top
There is a big difference! The only commonality is the name “marketing”.
* Opinion and marketing researchers simply want to ask your opinion. Marketing research is gathering information and you will NEVER be asked to purchase an item.
* Telemarketers want to sell you something.
Is my information shared with others? (i.e. Privacy information) Back to Top
All personal information obtained is ONLY for the purpose of selecting you for possible participation in an opinion research study. It is NOT shared with anyone not involved in the research project. We value our respondents and appreciate your willingness to participate. It is not in our best interest to betray your trust.
What are my responsibilities as a research participant? Back to Top
Our job is to provide our client with respondents who meet the specific criteria they seek. Participants are required to meet the following conditions to be eligible for participation:
1. Be honest and answer truthfully to the best of their ability.
2. Participate in the group discussion or interview by engaging in conversation or answering questions.
3. Arrive on time, no later than the agreed appointment time, or call us to cancel or reschedule.
4. Enjoy the activity and information sharing process, and you or your organization receive monetary compensation for doing so.
It is important to note that individuals do not have a “right” to participate in a research project. Our clients contract us to provide them with individuals who meet specific criteria for them to make informed decisions. Research participation is voluntary and individuals or their organizations are compensated if they meet the above criteria and complete a study at our office.
What if my contact, demographic, or usage information changes? Back to Top
Complete the research participation form on this Web site or contact our office at (417) 889-0770.
Why are there restrictions regarding how often I can participate? Back to Top
Some projects include restrictions regarding frequency of participation. This is decided by our client and can be driven by their desire to include those familiar with the research process and/or those who are not.
Why am I asked a “standard security” question or questioned about the occupation of my family members? Back to Top
It is important to include general opinions and those who are not biased. That is someone who has a favorable or unfavorable opinion based on their occupation.
For example, we would not want to include a fast food restaurant employee if we are evaluating a new sandwich that is coming out at another fast food restaurant. These individuals’ occupations would impact their opinions or how they view the topic.
Why can’t my friends and family participate with me? Back to Top
Most studies have the requirement that respondents are not related or known to one another. This allows a larger segment of the population to be represented and prevents bias in comments made by respondents due to personal influence by others in the room.
Can I call in to participate in a research study? Back to Top
We do not accept call-ins for research participation. This is a quality control check to ensure that we are meeting our client’s participation requirement and limiting the frequency of participation by individuals.
If you have not been contacted recently, contact us at (417) 889-0770 to be certain we have your most updated information in our database.
How do the organizations make money? Back to Top
When a participant joins our database they can show affiliation with any of our partner organizations. The organization designated at the time they participate receives a donation. Donations ranges from $20 - $50 per participant.
What type of organizations can join the program? Back to Top
Any organizations that needs to raise money can participate. This can be church groups, school PTAs, booster clubs, sports teams, etc. No organization is too small or too large. The key is having as many people fill out the Participant Registration as possible. Participants do not need to be members of the organization, they just need to designate their desire to have the compensation go to the organization.
What happens after I fill out the Participant Registration? Back to Top
The information from the Participant Registration is entered into our database. When we are ready to schedule a focus group, we pull the names from our database that meet our criteria and contact them. You will be asked to participate if you meet the criteria and are able to participate.