Marketing Research and Insight Glossary

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

What is a Project audit?

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Project audit Definition

Visiting a project site in order to test the adequacy and effectiveness data integrity procedures, to ensure compliance with established policy and operational procedures, and to recommend any necessary changes. Also knows as validation and/or field audit.

Projectability refers to the extent to which the findings from a research sample can be generalized to the broader target population. It indicates whether insights from a study are statistically representative and applicable beyond the respondents surveyed.

What are the key aspects of projectability in marketing research?

  • Use of probability-based sampling methods.
  • Defined target population and sampling frame.
  • Representative sample composition.
  • Appropriate sample size and margin of error.
  • Rigorous data collection protocols.
  • Minimization of bias and non-response.

Why is projectability important in market research?

Projectability ensures that research results are not limited to a small or skewed subset of the population. It adds credibility and utility to the findings by allowing businesses to make confident, data-driven decisions that reflect the broader market or consumer base.

Who relies on projectability in marketing research?

  • Client-side insights teams.
  • Marketing and brand strategists.
  • Product development teams.
  • Public policy researchers.
  • Academic and governmental institutions.

How do market researchers use projectability?

Market researchers use projectability to determine whether their study results can be confidently applied to the entire population of interest. When a study uses a well-designed probability sample and follows strict methodological standards, the results can inform strategic decisions like product launches, campaign targeting and market forecasts. Researchers assess projectability by checking for representativeness, analyzing sampling error and validating that the data reflect key demographic or behavioral traits of the broader audience. Without projectability, findings risk being misleading or only relevant to the sample group.