100% In-house Data Collection

ShapardResearch’s on-site call center means we manage every aspect of your research project. That's something no other market research firm in Oklahoma can say. Why? Because we’re the only full service market research firm in Oklahoma with its own on-site call center.

To us, data collection is the most important stage of primary market research. It should also matter to you as well. When it comes to analysis, there is plenty of opportunity to get it right. But, you only get one chance to get the data collection right.

Bad data into a computer is bad data out.

Consider this scenario: would you hire a caterer who then drove to the restaurant down the street, ordered take-out, re-plated the food, and set it up at your event? Sub-contracted data collection in the market research world is no different. When you select a research firm who hires someone else to collect your data, you’re putting the project in the hands of someone you didn’t interview, evaluate or select.

And this sub-contracted call center? Probably selected by the research firm because it was the lowest bidder.

At ShapardResearch, we do not outsource any portion of the market research process. While other market research firms or pollsters contract out their data collection to out-of-state call centers, every ShapardResearch project is carried out from our own call center in Oklahoma City. We handpick, train and supervise each of our interviewers, and we continually evaluate their performances to ensure the greatest possible accuracy throughout every survey we conduct.

Other potential issues to consider.

Every element of an interview can affect the results of a survey – from the caller’s accent and tone of voice to how he or she reads the questions. Interviewer bias is one of the most sensitive aspects of the data collection process, and care must be taken to minimize its influence.

At ShapardResearch, we understand how to mitigate the effects of interviewer bias. The callers we select to conduct our telephone interviews are thoroughly trained in how to deliver information and ask questions in such a way as will ensure the greatest possible accuracy from respondents. And to see that they get it right, we’re right there when our interviews are being conducted, making sure our standards are upheld from beginning to end.

A researcher who uses an outside call center simply gives up that control and leaves the quality of the project or poll up to chance.

ShapardResearch conducts extensive training with each interviewer prior to each survey. If your organization depends upon getting straight information about the attitudes, opinions and perspectives of your client, don’t choose a research company that will outsource the calling to a third party – choose ShapardResearch.