GMI, Quick Test partner for mall-based data collection
Seattle-based Global Market Insite (GMI) and Quick Test/Heakin, Jupiter, Fla., have introduced Net-Mall, a nationwide network of mall-based data collection facilities equipped with GMI’s Net-CAPI platform for online lntemet data collection. The announcement follows the execution in January of a multi-year license of GMI’s Net- MR suite of tools. The Net-Mall service is designed to help researchers achieve the representativeness of traditional offline methodologies with the speed of the Intemet and the flexibility of multimedia CAPI interviewing. This is achieved via the introduction of Net-CAPI interviewing tools into all of the Quick Test/Heakin mall facilities across the U.S., including support for largeformat multimedia such as television commercials, movie trailers, advertising copy, and high-fidelity audio. Multimedia stimulus is hosted offiine, locally at the facility to assure consistent media playback even in conditions where Intemet connection is either slow or non-existent. Results are streamed in real-time using XML-based data transport enabling centralized quota management and real-time reporting and analysis of results.
New measure for pharmaceutical sites
Johnston, Zabor, McManus, Inc., a Research Triangle Park, N.C., research firm, is now offering its Standardized Website Measure, a normative measure of pharmaceutical Web site visitors’ value perceptions. The Standardized Website Measure results in a single numerical score that reflects the value of all visitors, called the Visitor Value Index (VVI). The VVI encompasses all visitors including prescribing and nonprescribing patients, caregivers, physicians, and other health care providers. Derived from a statistical model developed using data from the firm’s National Drug Website Benchmark Study, the VVI is similar to an IQ scale; 100 represents average Web site value compared to other pharmaceutical Web sites, 110 and 120 represent greater value perceptions than 84 percent and 98 percent, respectively, of similar Web sites. Reports generated from VVI scores help companies know how their Web sites compare to other pharmaceutical Web sites and which site aspects need the most improvement (and the impact each improvement will have on future visitors’ value perceptions).
U.S. Census 2000 data now available from GeoLytics
The U.S. Census Bureau has recently released the first two major sets of data from the 2000 Census: Redistricting and the "Short Form" (SF1). East Brunswick, N.J.-based GeoLytics offers these products in the block level or at the block group level, and larger geographies. The data has been compressed so that it generally fits on one disk and it comes with built-in mapping capabilities, based upon the new Census 2000 boundaries. Users can generate full-blown maps or tables and they can also export the data into a statistical software package, mapping, or other software package.
MarketView aids competitive Web analysis
New York-based Nielsen//NetRatingshas introduced MarketView, a Web measurement reporting system, featuring content-based brand aggregation. MarketView allows companies to perform competitive analysis and media buying and selling with a business-driven view of Intemet behavior. As part of Nielsen//NetRatings’ Audience Measurement Service, MarketView supplies users with a view of real-time Internet research and analysis. The MarketView reporting system is built on a new aggregation structure consisting of channels, brands and parents, and is based on site content rather than the technical structure of a URL. The new system and reporting interface highlights the relationship or hierarchy of an organization within a parent company. The parent company rankings provide an overview of the leading sites from a business perspective, highlighting audience traffic data for a group of domains and URLs owned by one single entity. The brand rankings offer a consumer-based perspective, emphasizing audience traffic data based on brand segmentation within a company, rather than ownership.
New version of TELEform from Cardiff
Cardiff Software Inc., San Diego, has introduced TELEform v8.0, which offers features that enable organizations to remotely capture and process any type of form or document to a central server, thereby linking the paper world with the Web and legacy systems. TELEform v8.0 offers features including RecoFlex for OCR recognition, centralized system access, enhanced security, and remote capture. Anew Connect Agent to Cardiff LiquidOffice enables TELEform v8.0 to initiate an e-form process. The LiquidOffice Connect Agent applies processes to the electronic forms for routing, tracking, and approval.
Using TELEform v8.0, an organization can launch electronic routing of forms and documents through the LiquidOffice eForm Management system. Forms that require exception handling can be routed directly to an employee’s e-mail inbox for tumaround back to TELEform v8.0.
A centralized server in TELEform v8.0 will allow companies to manage form folders and form templates for individual departments or groups, maintaining security control and eliminating time spent searching through long lists of files. New batch administration features, such as Form Reverification, also speed processing, enabling operators to move from one document to another, make corrections at any stage, re-route problem documents and reduce time and labor resources spent fixing errors in post-commitment stages.
The Remote Capture Option gives organizations the capability to scan forms and documents from anywhere in the world using remote scan stations. Forms can be electronically transmitted via the Web to a centralized TELEform Enterprise server for further processing. Organizations running Citrix can also design and verify forms remotely.
Book maps Census results
In a new book, Mapping Census 2000: The Geography of U.S. Diversity, authors CynthiaA. Brewer and Tmdy A. Suchan present U.S. Census 2000 data in a series of maps that attest to the richness of this country’s multiplicity. Mapping Census 2000 describes who and what Americans are and where they are. It shows in detail the racial and ethnic shifts that have occurred since 1990. The data from Census 2000 is particularly revealing because for the first time, the questionnaire included six categories by which residents could identify themselves. The U.S. Census Bureau originally published this atlas as part of the Census 2000 Special Reports series.
Web usability product debuts
RelevantView, a new Web usability product, has been introduced. RelevantView’s proprietary interface automates the creation, launching and reporting of Web-based usability tests, reducing the time frame for marketers to run an online survey, interpret it, and implement changes.
RelevantView’s hosted application allows users to understand Web visitor behavior, including that of competitors, or any Web-based application. In addition, RelevantView allows any of its clients, including agencies and market research companies, to co-brand the surveys with their own corporate identification. The finn also announced that NOP World has licensed RelevantView’s patent-pending Active Sandbox technology, and will co-brand it for online usability testing.
Arbitron boosts RADAR sample size
Arbitron Inc., New York, will begin using its radio diary database to increase the sample size used to tabulate the audience estimates for its RADAR network radio ratings service beginning with the release of the RADAR 73 network radio ratings report in June. RADAR (Radio’s All Dimension Audience Research) is a national radio ratings service that measures audiences of radio commercials aired on 31 radio networks operated by ABC Radio Networks, American Urban Radio Networks, Premiere Radio Networks, and Westwood One Radio Networks. Arbitron acquired the RADAR radio network ratings service from Statistical Research, Inc. in July 2001. The service currently produces its estimates using a 12-month, 12,000-person telephone survey in combination with a commercial clearance collection system. Beginning with the release of the RADAR 73 report in June, Arbitron will use 12,500 diaries in each of the most current quarterly periods of the 12-month RADAR survey and will drop 3,000 telephone interviews from each of the earliest quarterly periods of the previous 12- month RADAR survey.
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Seattle-based TeleSage, Inc. has announced that companies can use its SmartQuest interactive voice response (IVR) survey software survey software at no cost for 90 days.
SmartQuest allows users to create and record their own surveys using a standard telephone and a standard PC. Responses are immediately stored and scored, offering real-time results. SmartQuest runs up to 99 IVR surveys simultaneously, in any language, and accommodates branching to different questions, surveys, telephone numbers, or voice-mail boxes based on a caller’s responses. It also supports randomizations, rotations, and open-ended questions.
New York research firm Ziment now offers an online panel to provide access to the opinions of patients suffering from a wide range of chronic illnesses. Combined with Ziment’s physician Internet panel, clients can now conduct studies with both physicians and patients using the Internet. The new panel profiles close to 100 different chronic illnesses among a nationally balanced panel of patients. It was created in conjunction with Lightspeed.
Chicago-based SPSS Inc. has announced that SPSS 11.0, the latest version of its data analysis software, is scheduled to be available for Mac OS X users in the third quarter of 2002. SPSS 11 for Mac OS X will make full use of Apple’s new Aqua user interface and the Unix foundation upon which the Mac OS X was built - delivering improved stability and performance. SPSS 11.0 features a new linear mixed models procedure that delivers more accurate analytical results, and enhanced data management.
Atlanta-based research firm The Brandware Group has introduced iTest, a Web-based research methodology designed to help marketers determine if their communications are effective enough to increase consideration and sales. Each of the 12 different types of iTest assessments evaluates the performance of a specific marketing mix component. The product has been designed to measure print, radio, and broadcast ads, agency creative concepts, corporate identity programs, trademarks, promotional collateral, public relations messages and package designs, among others.
IMS Health, Fairfield, Conn., is now offering IMS Health PlanTrak Weekly-Projected, a new service that shows the influence of managed care on prescription drug sales and market share in the U.S. A solution for tracking weekly prescription product performance at the managed care plan level, the product features plan-level insights on national trends.
New York-based research firm RoperASW has launched the 2002 FORTUNE/Roper Corporate Reputation Index, a tool for measuring industry and public opinion about more than 450 Fortune 500 companies. The Index provides detailed assessments of corporate reputations as perceived by industry experts and the general public. Criteria include quality of products and services, innovation, financial strength, commitment to customers and employees, and social and environmental responsibility. Respondents also indicate how likely they would be to recommend the company’s products/services and stock.