Editor’s note: Adam Rossow is partner and head of marketing at iModerate, a Denver research firm. This is an edited version of a post that appeared here under the same title.
In honor of Valentine’s Day, we wanted to celebrate the love of research’s most revered couple – quant and qual. I was recently lucky enough to sit down with this perfect pair and talk with them about how they met, what they love about each other and what makes their relationship so special.
Adam: Guys, thanks so much for taking the time to chat with me today. We all know you two are head over heels for each other. Do you remember when you first knew it was meant to be?
Quant: Of course. I was at a little restaurant outside of Houston. I had just finished up getting data from 500 consumers about this silly restaurant ad. I was annoyed with the results, as everything was still a little unsettled in my mind. And I hate grey areas. Anyway, through the door walks this beauty that looked so confident, so insightful…
Qual: I had just finished up some blue-sky work with teens and I needed a stiff drink. Out of the corner of my eye I saw him. Handsome. And polished from head-to-toe. But he looked a little lost. I was feeling daring, so I pulled up a chair and introduced myself.
Quant: Sure did. And we sat there chatting until they kicked us out. Turned out we were both in the research game. Me, I was into the hard stats. She was more, you know, “touchy feely.”
Qual: You will have to excuse him; he was never good with words. I think you meant to say enlightening and directional, honey.
Quant: Exactly. And that was it; from that moment on we were inseparable. You could say that she “completed me.”
Qual: Oy.
Adam: Great story guys. So Quant, tell me, what do you love most about Qual?
Quant: Easy. She is always helping me discover more and better understand and appreciate the things that I have a tough time seeing on my own. When I’m struggling, she’s always there with a story or anecdote that makes me feel more confident and secure.
Adam: Wonderful. And you Qual?
Qual: Let’s just say that before I met Quant, I really never had my feet on the ground. Sure, I was having fun exploring all that was out there, but I needed some stability, something to rely on. The ambiguity I knew before Quant wasn’t as freeing as one might think. He was the structure I needed and, just as I gave him a different perspective, he did the same for me.
Adam: So what makes your relationship so special?
Quant: Well, it’s going to sound a little black-and-white…
Qual: Shocker.
Quant: …but it’s because we make the best team. Her strengths are my weaknesses and vice versa. Together, I feel like we can solve anything, like there’s no question or issue can’t be answered or tackled.
Qual: Exactly. In the words of one of my favorite authors, Louisa May Alcott, “It takes two flints to make a fire.”
Quant: Yup, it’s 50-50 partnership and the result is a perfect 100.
Adam: So what do you think your relationship has done for research?
Quant: I think the two of us coming together has benefited the industry in many ways. With us both on a study, there’s no missing piece. I provide the stats and Qual provides the story behind them. There’s no wondering what one of my numbers meant or why a consumer said what they said. I don’t have to go back and do more studies and ask more questions. It’s all there, completely comprehensive. Also, on my own, things tend to get a little flat and dry for respondents, but when she is involved, everything is just more engaging.
Qual: That’s so sweet of you to say.
Adam: You guys are awesome. Thanks for taking the time to chat with me. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Quant: Thanks Adam, and for everyone looking for more information about what Qual and I can do for research when teamed up together, here’s a white paper [automatic download] you might enjoy.
Qual: Did you really end our love story interview with a free white paper download offer? I guess nothing is perfect.
Quant: Sorry dear.