Marketing Research and Insight Glossary

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

What is Low Incidence Screening?

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Low Incidence Screening Definition

Checking, testing and questioning of individuals with the goal of identifying those with a particular trait which occurs infrequently in the population. Generally requires additional effort to locate.

Low incidence screening in marketing research is the process of identifying and qualifying potential respondents who meet specific, rare criteria for participation in a study, often used when targeting niche markets or uncommon behaviors.

What are the key characteristics of low incidence screening in marketing research?          

  • Designed to filter for rare or uncommon traits, behaviors or conditions.
  • Typically applies to incidence rates below 10% of the general population.
  • Requires detailed and specific screener questions.
  • Often involves multiple screening stages to ensure qualification.
  • May require specialized recruitment channels or databases.
  • Can increase time and cost of data collection.

Why is low incidence screening important in market research? 

It is important because it ensures that studies targeting rare or niche populations only include qualified respondents, improving data accuracy, reducing wasted resources and maintaining study integrity.

Who relies on low incidence screening in marketing research? 

Market research firms, pharmaceutical companies, B2B marketers, luxury brands, technology innovators and organizations studying rare consumer segments rely on low incidence screening.

How do market researchers use low incidence screening?      

Market researchers use low incidence screening by creating precise qualification criteria, developing detailed screener questionnaires and leveraging targeted recruitment methods to efficiently identify eligible participants for specialized studies.