Marketing Research and Insight Glossary

Definitions, common uses and explanations of 1,500+ key market research terms and phrases.

What are Audience Response Systems (ARS)?

Research Topics:
Commercials Testing | Movie/Film Previews | Political Research
Industry/Market Focus:
Associations | Film/Movie
Content Type:
Glossary
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Audience Response Systems (ARS) Definition

Audience Response Systems, or ARS, are technology platforms that researchers use to gather instant feedback and data from real-time interactions and engagement from audiences during presentations, seminars and events.

Audience Response Systems, or ARS, are technology platforms that researchers use to gather instant feedback and data from real-time interactions and engagement from audiences during presentations, seminars and events. The data comes in the form of responses to polls, surveys, quizzes and open-ended questions. It is collected with electronic devices like smartphones or handheld keypads. Feedback can be in the form of responses to polls, surveys, quizzes or open-ended questions. ARS allows for quick changes in audience-based strategies, reduces the bias typically found in traditional survey methods and leads to more memorable experiences for participants. This, in turn, improves the research process.

Who relies on ARS?

Market researchers, marketing agencies, academic institutions and event organizers are among those entities relying on ARS. For instance, businesses gain insights into consumer preferences, opinions and trends with ARS. What’s more, marketing agencies use ARS to measure the effectiveness of campaigns and gauge audience reactions. Also, academia employs ARS for classroom engagement and research projects. And finally, event organizers utilize ARS to improve participant involvement and collect valuable data during conferences and workshops.

Why should I care about ARS?

Audience response systems offer several benefits that make them significant in marketing research. By using ARS, marketing professionals and other entities can capture real-time feedback, thus enabling quick adjustments to strategies based on audience opinions. This technology fosters active participation and engagement, leading to more accurate data collection. ARS also reduces biases that can arise from traditional survey methods. Additionally, it can lead to more interactive and memorable experiences for participants, enhancing the overall research process.