Research Methods

Qualitative research is a powerful insight method used by organisations that want to know how to build deep connections with their customers or members. The flexibility inherent in this method means that people can explain their lives to us in their own words. The result: our clients understand and empathise with how their customeers feel, and know how to communicate to them. We use face to face, phone, and online qualitative research methods – groups, individual and couple interviews and ethnography.

We are experts in qualitative research. Indeed, Susan Bell has been called one of ‘four prominent voices’ in qualitative research worldwide.Techniques inlcude journey mapping, projective and enabling questions, sensory qualitative and co-creation.

Our survey expertise includes customer tracking studies, usage and attitude studies, segmentation studies and concept development and testing.

As our clients will confirm, we are experts in wording survey questions so that they are precise, inpartial, and can be answered accurately.

While most surveys are conducted online, we are committed to a mixed methods approach where we use the method most suited to the target audience.

Rigorous sampling and quality control are essential components of our approach to survey design.

Semiotics is a cultural insight tool that focuses on visual analysis. Our clients use it to understand how to use imagery in their communications.

Semiotics can be commissioned as a desk-based technique that often combines well with qualitative research.

We can also conduct Decoding Workshops for you so that you and your team can learn this very valuable insight tool.

Semiotics is perfect for understanding how packaging and advertising convey their meaning. It focusses on colour, shape, and symbolism. It is ideal for revealing sensory meaning.

Discourse Analysis is a desk-based linguistic analysis technique.

Susan Bell brings her deep knowledge of how language works to this unusual but insightful research method.

We are currently working on ‘discourses of ageing’ – how media talks about ageing

We can combine Discourse Analysis training with Semiotics training or you can commission us to conduct Discourse Analysis as a stand alone projct.

We also use Discourse Analysis to anlayse the written language in documents such as complaint letters. This analysis reveals how simple or complex the message is, and its style or tone of voice