Internet research(Internet-based research, web surveys)

What is internet research?

Various kinds of surveys that can be conducted online are typically referred to as “internet research” or “web surveys.”
Internet research refers to the distribution of questionnaires and collection of responses via email or dedicated systems. Questions are sent out to pre-registered respondents (“panels” or “monitors”) based on the research objectives (survey design).

This method leverages the primary characteristic of the internet: interactive communication.

Key points of internet research

Internet research is characterized by speed, low costs, and a high degree of flexibility compared with traditional surveying methods, such as door-to-door, postal, or telephone surveys.
The quality of the data produced by internet research primarily depends on the quality of the panel used and the researchers’ expertise. Access to a large and reliable panel and specialized, experienced researchers ensures high-quality results.

Advantages of internet research

• Conduct surveys and collect responses over a short period
• Survey costs can be controlled
• Easy to collect large quantities of responses from a large number of survey targets
• Easy to focus on target attributes and demographics (age, gender, familiarity with the product/service, etc.)

Disadvantages of internet research

• Sample representativeness (response bias)
• False responses can undermine credibility

Key features of internet research at Cross Marketing

Cross Marketing is a professional marketing research company with one of the largest registered active panels in Japan. We have approximately 5.00 million panel members, including panels registered by our partner companies.
Whether conducting a nationwide survey with a large sample size or a narrowly focused survey with specific demographics and targets such as a small number of regions, you can tailor the questions and panel to suit your needs.
We provide the highest quality internet research to identify market needs and generate solutions to business issues.

We offer our clients comprehensive support with a high degree of flexibility in survey planning that enables complex research designs, along with experienced researchers possessing specialist expertise in a broad range of different fields.
Our systems can be configured to exclude contradictory responses to ensure that only valid responses are collated.

Data is aggregated automatically by our dedicated systems. If more specialized information is required, our expert researchers can perform more advanced analyses and compile result reports as needed.

Largest active panel in Japan: approximately 5.00 million members

We have an active survey panel of approximately 5.00 million people, the largest in Japan. We regularly update target demographics using thorough quality control standards. In addition, we have a variety of segmented specialty panels (e.g., car owners, cell phone users, cosmetics), in addition to panels available from our multiple partner companies.

• Click here for details

Custom-made questionnaires

We provide all our clients with a screen for customized surveys. You can design your own survey questions and review the number and content of questions asked, including any images or videos displayed on the screen.

• Click here for details

Comprehensive support system

Our researchers are experienced in a range of research methods. They can propose optimized internet research plans and survey designs to suit each client’s business issues, research needs and goals (target samples, schedule, cost, etc.), and requirements for the end report.

• Click here for details

Complimentary aggregation tools

Cross Finder is a free aggregation tool that allows you to collect and aggregate reliable data in real time and recast the data whenever and as often as you like.

• Click here for details

High-quality response data

We have well-defined authentication and verification standards to avoid duplicated responses. Our advanced systems eliminate inconsistent answers to ensure the quality of collated responses. We handle CSV, Excel, ASSUM, and Hideyoshi Dplus for data aggregation purposes.

Conduct questionnaires in multiple countries and regions simultaneously

We can carry out global internet research conducted by overseas research specialists using subsidiaries (according to local market characteristics).

Largest survey panel in Japan

We have an active panel of approximately 5.00 million people, the largest among Japanese research companies. We distribute questionnaires to targeted samples within this panel to suit our clients’ needs.
The panel is segmented across approximately 20 categories based on primary demographic attributes (gender, age, home address, etc.) and lifestyle and purchasing behavior (e.g., seniors, cellphone users, car owners, cosmetics users). We can handle surveys of any scale, from large-scale surveys without specific attributes to highly focused surveys with a limited sample. In addition, our partner companies’ panels are available for use in surveys.
We are happy to cater to all types of internet research, regardless of the sample size. Feel free to contact us if you would like further information.

Largest active panel in Japan (approximately 5.00 million members)

Specialty panels

Survey system

We can create custom-made internet research questionnaire screens that are highly flexible and tailored to clients' needs. We can handle both basic and complex research designs. We can also incorporate videos and images in our surveys.
In addition, clients can use ASP services to internally distribute surveys to their own list of targets.

Mock-up survey screen

This is an example of a basic survey screen. * Click on the screen to enlarge.

Basic questions

Matrix questions

Options randomly displayed questions

Redisplay questions

Generate questions based on answers given

Simulation research (Web Shelf)

This enables an imaginary product shelf (web shelf) to be created on the questionnaire screen. We can conduct a survey tailored to your requirements, regardless of the type or nature of the product concerned. Special product shelves, such as vending machines or ice cream freezers, can be reproduced online, enabling visual aggregation and assessment of product packaging with evaluation surveys or questionnaires. This is a convenient way of updating product shelving, pricing, and POP installations.

• 

  Confectionery

• 

  Vending machines

• 

  Drug stores

Our experts leverage their in-depth understanding and established track record in the industry
to provide comprehensive support for everything from planning to reporting.

Even if they are new to this type of research, clients can feel confident that their project is in professional hands.
We provide full support from identifying business issues to market research, analysis, and reporting.

・People vaguely considering using research.
・People unsure of what kind of survey to do.
・People who want help designing a survey.
・People who do not know the right analytical approach or method to use.
・People who want help with report writing
We can help you with all kinds of research-related issues.

If you are new to market research or are struggling with research and analysis due to a lack of internal resources, our dedicated researchers offer comprehensive support so you can use our services with confidence.

Flow diagram of survey process

Consultation and discussion (1 or 2 meetings lasting approximately 1 hour)
Our experienced researchers discuss your business issues with you.
They will use research case studies to give you a clearer indication of how our research can be used.

Research plan proposal (roughly one week after consultation)
Based on the information obtained from consultations and discussions, we propose an optimized research plan tailored to your needs. Working backward from the analysis, we present a plan for the research program, demographic attributes of the panel to be used, number of panelists, and question design.

Conduct survey (2–3 days after formal order)
Based on the plan, we produce a questionnaire screen specifically for your company and collate questionnaire data after eliminating inconsistent responses. With our support, you can create your own survey, review your questionnaire screen, and then start the survey.

Analysis and report (approximately one week after the survey)
Our analysis experts use advanced statistical methods to deliver the findings from the analysis to provide solutions to your company’s business issues. The potential deliverables include raw data, aggregated results, or reports. You can select your preferred options according to your budget.

[Flow of survey only] Minimum 2 or 3 days

・Client submits survey form
・Programming of questionnaire screen
・Final confirmation of questionnaire screen and survey details　★
・Commence survey
・Deliver raw data (GT)

[Flow of full research service] (approximately two weeks)

・Consultation　★
・Survey planning/design　★
・Survey creation　★
・Programming of survey screen
・Final confirmation of survey screen and details　★
・Commence survey
・Deliver raw data (GT)
・Delivery of cross-tabulation table　★
・Delivery of report　★

★…Confirmation of timing by client

* The schedule shown above is an example and can be modified. The schedule varies depending on the nature of the survey and is determined on a case-by-case basis.
* Cross-tabulation tables and reports are also available as options for “Survey only.”

Thorough service support for survey design and question creation

Precision and expertise in survey design and formulation of questionnaires allow us to provide solutions to client’s marketing issues and generate meaningful insights into consumer attitudes and opinions. If you devise a survey on your own, you might realize you have left something out or included some inappropriate content. By this time, it is often too late because the survey has already been completed.

At Cross Marketing, our full-time researchers discuss your concerns and opinions as preparation for implementing the survey and analyzing the data. We propose optimal survey designs and check the questions word by word to ensure the final survey is free of issues that can arise in online research, such as inconsistencies, omissions, or leading questions.

In addition, we check and rewrite the content of the survey forms submitted by our clients as a matter of course, suggesting revisions to improve the wording.

We provide comprehensive support at every stage of the survey design and creation of a questionnaire and deal with all client concerns: “What are the best questions to ask to find a solution to my issue?” “Has anything been left out?” “Are the questions expressed appropriately?” “Some of these questions are rather personal or delicate, but will they be all right?”

Typical support examples

Support for research design and analysis
Target sample conditions / survey region / survey period / sample size / weighting and distribution conditions / Analysis axes and methods / volume of questions / user panels / attaining consent for questions involving sensitive information / ...
Assistance with research design and analysis approaches (entire or partial)

Survey items
Demographic details (age, income, family structure, etc.) / screening and excluded items / subject matter of survey/ Support for survey items used as analysis axes / ... etc.

Questionnaire format
Review of appropriate question format / Adjustment of question volume
Suggestion and questioning methods that do not fit the standard formats / ... etc.
Assistance with question formats.

Question content / response choices
Monitoring of appropriate language in questions, response choices, introductory sentences, explanations, concepts, etc. / suggestions for insufficient response choices / etc.
Support for creating survey forms

*We design and construct proposals for research based on the above essential considerations for conducting surveys, following marketing issue consultation with the client.
*Depending on your budget, we can propose a research plan with multiple formats.
*If a client already has a survey design and questionnaire in mind, we can review these with the client in advance.

Complimentary survey aggregation tools

CrossFinder, a proprietary aggregation tool, is provided free to all our clients who order a survey.
We manage all aspects of handling data collated from the research , including questionnaire processing / cross-tabulation / testing and multivariate analysis / reports output.

Greatly improved
processing speed!

We have greatly improved our data acquisition speed.
It is now quicker to create better-looking summary tables and graphs.

Comparison of data scanning speeds

*Based on comparison reference values for 1,000 samples and 200 columns.

Efficient tabulation
without the need for a manual!

Even first-time users can navigate the user-friendly screen.
No complicated settings are required!
Updated and easier to use.

Testing / multivariate analysis
Additional functionality!

Incorporates testing and multivariate analysis functions as standard.
T-test, z-test, and correspondence analysis functionality included.

Example usage of extensive online research

Case study: Understanding usage post-launch (grasping the current situation)

Standard schedule and deliverables

Standard schedule

We can deliver raw data in as little as two to three days. We can handle urgent surveys such as in cases like supplementing missing data required for a meeting the following week.

　
• STEP.01

  Confirm survey

• STEP.02

  Program online survey

• STEP.03

  Launch survey (1 day+)

• STEP.04

  Deliver raw data/GT table (1 business day)

• STEP.05

  Delivery of cross-check and tabulation summaries (optional) (1-2 business days)