Frequently Asked Questions

February 23, 2016

WHAT KIND OF BUSINESS AND MARKET RESEARCH DOES THE RESEARCH INVESTMENT OFFER?

The Research Investment is a full-service, custom research provider that offers business-to-business market/opportunity assessment studies, industry analysis, market sizing, marketing and branding research, social media monitoring and reporting, merger and acquisition research, new product development screening, satisfaction research, and other business opinion gathering to enable data-driven decisions.

WHAT RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES DOES THE RESEARCH INVESTMENT OFFER?

The Research Investment conducts both primary and secondary research and often uses both in a project.

Primary research (information directly from people) includes phone and online surveys, focus groups, and in-depth interviews.

Secondary research (information in print) taps both online and off-line sources. We subscribe to some of the largest proprietary business databases, including DIALOG, Lexis/Nexis, and Hoover’s/Dun & Bradstreet.

CAN THE RESEARCH INVESTMENT CONDUCT INTERVIEWS WITH SENIOR EXECUTIVES?

Yes, we have significant experience conducting interviews with high-level, hard-to-reach individuals, including senior executives and top managers across different company and industry verticals.

WHAT KINDS OF COMPANIES DO YOU USUALLY WORK FOR?

We mostly work for large and middle market companies (frequently one of their business units) and for professional services firms serving these kinds of clients.

We also work for institutions, primarily hospitals, universities, and some large nonprofits in our region. While not exclusive, we have significant experience working with manufacturers in a wide variety of industries.

CAN THE RESEARCH INVESTMENT PROVIDE SAMPLE LISTS FOR SURVEYS & INTERVIEWS AND ADVICE ON STATISTICALLY RELIABLE SAMPLE SIZES?

Yes to both. We have good sources for generating company and consumer lists that meet your criteria. When direct contact information isn’t available for specific individuals in companies, we do our own research to identify them. As for reliable sample sizes, we calculate these using widely accepted statistical equations.

WHAT ARE THE FINAL DELIVERABLES?

Our deliverables are entirely client-driven. They could include a detailed, well-organized report with research findings, conclusions and recommendations, a concise executive summary, written answers to specific questions, videos or transcripts of focus groups or individual interviews, spreadsheets of survey responses, tables that are easy to read and understand, supporting charts and graphs, formal mathematical and statistical calculations, a mini-library of copyright cleared original source material, or a PowerPoint presentation that you or we can present.

DO YOU DO GLOBAL RESEARCH?

Yes, we conduct research worldwide. If we need to interview non-English speakers, we have trusted research partners in Latin America, Europe, and Asia.

WHAT ARE YOUR FEES?

Our clients find us extremely cost-effective. Our professional fees range from $60-$150/hr. depending on which of our staff are involved. We can usually give a rough price estimate up front for a straightforward project, such as a survey or a fixed number of executive interviews. We always provide a final quote in our written proposals. Volume discounting is applied on larger projects.

ARE THERE ANY KINDS OF RESEARCH YOU DON’T DO?

We don’t do research for private individuals, for example genealogy or credit checks. We also don’t do sales prospecting unless it is part of a larger research project. We will never misrepresent ourselves to obtain confidential information, so please don’t ask!

I AM CONSIDERING A BUSINESS RESEARCH PROJECT. WHAT DO YOU NEED FROM ME?

You can call us at 216-752-0300 or 1-800-989-5036, email us at contact@researchinvest.com, or complete the Contact form below to let us know what kind of project you have in mind or simply what information you need. One of our senior research managers will be glad to talk with you and suggest an approach that will best meet your requirements, including your timeframe, budget, and deliverables.

Our initial consulting is free. The clock doesn’t start until you’ve accepted our written proposal, which will lay out all the steps, the timing, price, and deliverables.

Still have questions? Contact us now!