GKA launch new dedicated qualitative online technology under brand ithink Qual to deliver cost effective medical market research

Transcription

1 GKA launch new dedicated qualitative online technology under brand ithink Qual to deliver cost effective medical market research Submitted by: Elava PR Tuesday, 20 April 2010 GKA head up brand new product launch ithink Qual To support the industries medical market research requirements & stretch budgets further GKA Gillian Kenny Associates Limited ( a leading international medical fieldwork research agency ( - is pleased to announce the launch of a brand new online technology offering. Latest research from ESOMAR has highlighted that despite a difficult year due to the ongoing recession, the UK still ranks as number 2 of the 5 largest market research global regions that make up two thirds of the industries total turnover. The report quotes the UK as increasing its share of the market from 10% in 2007 to 13% in 2008; widening the gap between the UK and Germany, France and Japan. Although this is positive and the UK (and Germany) was a relative star performer regarding market research turnover for 2008, experiencing net growth of 2.5% - there are still concerns that qualitative research is the worst affected as a result of advertising agency freeze on spending. GKA is acutely aware that the global financial crisis has proved and is continuing to prove problematic for market research multinationals, right through to the smaller research firms. The issue is clear. There is simply less money to spend on research projects. Clients across the globe need to spend less and get the best results possible. ithink Qual has been launched with this issue in mind; with a keen focus for the new technology to deliver much more in terms of client budget. How? The product launch ithink Qual offers a brand new and specialised level of qualitative online research. Combining the speed and efficiency of online research with know-how built up over decades by one of the sector s leading practitioners, ithink Qual offers a variety of qualitative tools, freed from the constraints of respondent location. What makes ithink Qual different from GKA s other qualitative services is its use of online communications channels to bring researcher and respondent together faster and more cost effectively whether face to face for in depth interviews via the now ubiquitous web cam, or through text groups and bulletin boards. This new offering from GKA applies the same rigorous methodology and medical sector expertise synonymous with its traditional fieldwork methods. GKA can either recruit from its database of over 15,000 UK health care professionals or alternatively access respondents worldwide via its extensive partner network. The technology involved is user friendly for both researcher and respondent, needing no software installation. The software allows real-time moderation of online focus groups, allowing clients to follow up with questions immediately. Instant transcription is available on completion of interviews, as is additional translation for international projects; while technical support is on hand round the clock. Key features of the new ithink Qual technology portfolio includes: Page 1

2 Proven, cost effective & fast Proven techniques and expertise delivered through innovative channels Focus groups, IDI, bulletin boards & more Start to finish help & support from dedicated GKA team Widespread technology is easy to use for researcher & respondent Global reach yet up close contact Respondents chosen for relevance, not residence Can assemble English speaking European groups or depths through local partner network Non-English speaking depth interviews, with simultaneous translation for remote observers Or draw from a constantly vetted GKA database of UK medical professionals and patients, including hard to reach groups: - Pharmacists - Nurses - Surgeons - KOLs - Payers - Patients One of the core benefits of using this technology is that your team and clients can attend from around the globe without the associated travel costs and also target those hard to reach respondents without the geographical restrictions of traditional central locations. Richard Stephens, Business Development Director, GKA commented: With the new technology offered under the new brand launch of ithink Qual we can organise online focus groups for you with English speaking participants from all over Europe via our trusted network of medical fieldwork partners. Alternatively, we can recruit respondents from International or European regions for live, localised depth interviews via Webcam with simultaneous translation. The beauty of the new online technology from GKA is simple. It cuts costs significantly by avoiding travel and catering costs and enables clients to reach tough respondents without the geographical restrictions of traditional face to face research. Benefits of using the ithink Qual online technology include: Setting up of online groups and depth interviews across the globe in multiple languages Page 2

3 Great insights with significant costs shaved off focus groups due to reduced project time, travel and catering costs No software installation is required Stephens continued: The ithink Qual brand launch offers new technology such as the live online client observation which gives clients the opportunity to be involved with their research as it takes place. Our co-moderation techniques allow for clients to have instant input into follow up questions giving you and your clients the most out of your research. Adding to this, our team of online moderators have years of experience within medical market research coupled with a wealth of technical expertise. With this in mind, and the firm traditional foundation of medical fieldwork we already offer, we urge clients to take at closer look at what GKA can deliver now as a complete research solution. By fusing together both traditional methodologies and forward thinking technologies, for the benefit of the client, we are confident we are providing one of the best specialist medical fieldwork solutions currently on the market. GKA ( have access to over 15,000 UK medical respondents, including hospital specialists, patients, pharmacists, KOLs (Key Opinion Leaders) and Nurses. The latest product offering and brand launch ithink Qual digitises their most popular and world renowned qualitative work. Their online tools give the client the latest in qualitative research techniques via online focus groups, depth interviews and bulletin boards. For further information on how GKA can meet your international medical fieldwork needs, please visit: Notes to Editors: Facts and figures regarding global market research: Global market research turnover grows to US $32 billion in 2008, representing a growth rate of 4.5% and 0.4% after adjustment for inflation; a slowdown from 2007 but in line with expectations given the economic downturn (ESOMAR Global Market Research 2009) Softening in performance in most countries and regions compared to 2007 with some noticeable falls (ESOMAR Global Market Research 2009) Performance in North America is poor, with absolute growth of 1.5% and a decline of 2.1% after inflation (ESOMAR Global Market Research 2009) Growth in Europe slows to 4.7% year-to-year and just 0.9% after inflation is factored in (ESOMAR Global Market Research 2009) Even the previously buoyant Asia Pacific region shows a softening in growth rates, to 6.3% year-to-year, and just 2.1% after inflation (ESOMAR Global Market Research 2009) Latin America is the only region in which research actually grows at a higher rate than in 2007 a Page 3

4 strong showing at 5.6% after inflation (ESOMAR Global Market Research 2009) Market research turnover in 28 countries experience declines after inflation is taken into account, including 10 of the top 25 market research markets (ESOMAR Global Market Research 2009) Online Focus Groups - 40% growth in 3 years. (Research May 2009, ESOMAR 2009) 83% of online users, ages use social media online. (Knowledge Networks 2009) Online research now accounts for 10% or more of overall research spend in 18 countries, up from 13 in 2006 (ESOMAR Global Market Research 2008) About GKA GKA - Gillian Kenny Associates Limited ( is a specialist medical market research fieldwork agency based in the UK. We are experts in data collection for quantitative and qualitative research, both domestically and overseas. The specialist knowledge and experience of our project management team, our ability to recruit suitable respondents, and our extensive skills base allow us to cost-effectively and professionally deliver the data you require. GKA have been successfully conducting medical fieldwork since 1992 and have over 100 satisfied clients globally including 4 of the top 5 market research companies in the world today. We pride ourselves on our excellent reputation and are renowned for our flexibility, reliability and professional approach to fieldwork. Whether you need Quantitative or Qualitative; full project management or recruitment only; international or UK only, GKA can help with your medical market research needs. Some of the global services we provide include: Quantitative Telephone CATi Online Phone to Web Face to Face Diary Studies/Patient Record Forms Qualitative Organization of Central Locations Focus Groups/Duos/Trios/IDI Recruitment only Tele-depths Face to Face Online Page 4

5 Research Support Survey Programming & Hosting Report Writing Analysis Transcription Translation Desk research Respondent Types Primary and secondary care Physicians Nurses Pharmacists Patients and carers Payors Quality Assurance and client service 100% Quality Control of interviews performed by a dedicated QC Team Adverse Event reporting training Rapid client quotations, with all options fully researched and costed Frequent progress reports and updates Solution focused approach to fieldwork Members BHBIA. MRS, PBIRG, PMRG, EPHMRA, ESOMAR International Research Full management of multi-country studies from bid provision to data output Strategic network of local fieldwork agencies across the world bringing you the best local knowledge All of our international partners specialise in healthcare market research Unique level of control, smooth project management and delivery of the highest quality fieldwork worldwide Our core regions include, but are not limited to the following: EU 5 (UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy) North America (US & Canada) South America (Brazil, Argentina & Chile) Scandinavia (Sweden, Denmark & Norway) Netherlands Belgium For all media enquiries please contact: Nina Jenkins elava PR nina@elava.co.uk +44(0) / +44(0) GKA Limited 2010 Page 5 Distributed via Press Release Wire ( behalf of Elava PR Copyright ResponseSource, Melrose House, 42 Dingwall Road, Croydon, London, CR9 2DX UK e: info@responsesource.com t: f: w: