--- title: Why does qualitative research have to mean a focus group? description: Insight driven qualitative research can be delivered, with ease, on a quantitative platform. image: https://info-profiles.kantar.com/hubfs/dexph009_074_9x12_jpg.jpg --- - - - - [mailto:info@gmi-mr.com](mailto:info@gmi-mr.com) [![Kantar-Logo-Small-Use-Black](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logos/Kantar-Logo-Small-Use-Black.png?width=119&name=Kantar-Logo-Small-Use-Black.png)](http://www.lightspeedresearch.com) - [Home](http://www.lightspeedresearch.com/) - [Sample Audiences](http://www.lightspeedresearch.com/sample-audiences/) - [Quality Suite](http://www.lightspeedresearch.com/sample-audiences/quality-suite/) - [Panel Profiling](http://www.lightspeedresearch.com/sample-audiences/panel-profiling/) - [B2B Panels](http://www.lightspeedresearch.com/sample-audiences/business-to-business-panels/) - [Custom Panels](http://www.lightspeedresearch.com/sample-audiences/custom-panels/) - [Millennial Panel](http://www.lightspeedresearch.com/sample-audiences/vice-voices/) - [Research Solutions](http://www.lightspeedresearch.com/research-solutions/) - [Quick Turn Surveys](http://www.lightspeedresearch.com/research-solutions/lightspeed-quick-turn-surveys/) - [Survey Design](http://www.lightspeedresearch.com/research-solutions/survey-design/) - [Tracking Research Design](http://www.lightspeedresearch.com/research-solutions/tracking-research-design/) - [Integrated Technology Solutions](http://www.lightspeedresearch.com/research-solutions/integrated-technology-solutions/) - [Data Processing](http://www.lightspeedresearch.com/research-solutions/data-processing/) - [Ad Tracker](http://www.lightspeedresearch.com/research-solutions/ad-tracker/) - [Survey Programming](http://www.lightspeedresearch.com/research-solutions/ad-tracker/) - [Sample Only Services](http://www.lightspeedresearch.com/research-solutions/sample-only-services/) - [Data Services](http://www.lightspeedresearch.com/data-services) - [Data Appends](http://www.lightspeedresearch.com/data-services/data-appends/) - [Mobile](http://www.lightspeedresearch.com/mobile/) - [Mobile Solutions](http://http://www.lightspeedresearch.com/mobile/) - [Resource Center](http://www.lightspeedresearch.com/resource-center/) - [Events](http://www.lightspeedresearch.com/resource-center/events/) - [Demos](http://www.lightspeedresearch.com/resource-center/demos/) - [Case Studies](http://www.lightspeedresearch.com/resource-center/case-studies/) - [Blog](https://blog.lightspeedresearch.com/) - [General Inquiries](http://www.lightspeedresearch.com/contact-us/general-inquiries/) - [About Us](http://www.lightspeedresearch.com/about-us/) - [Leadership Team](http://www.lightspeedresearch.com/about-us/leadership-team/) - [Press Releases](http://www.lightspeedresearch.com/about-us/news-press-releases/) - [Why Lightspeed](http://www.lightspeedresearch.com/about-us/why-lightspeed/) - [Careers](http://www.lightspeedresearch.com/about-us/careers/) - [Regions](http://www.lightspeedresearch.com/about-us/regions/) - [Awards](http://www.lightspeedresearch.com/awards/) - [Contact Us](http://www.lightspeedresearch.com/contact-us/) # Kantar's Profiles Blog # Why does qualitative research have to mean a focus group? Posted by [Alex Wheatley](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/author/alex-wheatley) on Jun 21, 2016 ![](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/hubfs/AlexWheatley.jpg) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) The role of qualitative research has traditionally been to create and foster the discussion about your consumers’ needs and desires. Quantitative research has been viewed as a tool for testing the statistical relevance of these ideas. Generally speaking, quantitative research tends to consists of nationally representative samples of respondents evaluating a concept in a survey of closed metrics; however, it doesn’t have to be this way. At its core, the online research platform is simply a means of mass communication -- that communication is not limited to a box ticking exercise. In fact, Lightspeed GMI has everything, at their disposal, needed to generate qualitative insights at a quantitative scale. The essence of qualitative research is conversation, and a conversation platform is exactly what the [QuestionArts](http://info.lightspeedgmi.com/questionarts-infographic) team has spent the last 12 months developing online surveys into. Combining their research toolset into feedback mechanics, survey-entertainment and open-ended questioning, QuestionArts surveys have shown that cross participation, collaborative content and unrestrained imaginative outputs are not only feasible but easily achievable with online panellists. By packaging enjoyable content and feedback mechanisms into longitudinal touch points, cross-completion rates of 90%+ can be maintained. With the propriety text analytics tools LightspeedGMI has at their disposal, alongside their award winning research with open-ended questions and survey narratives, the content can be kept conversational on a large scale. The result is insight-driven qualitative research that can be delivered, with ease, on a quantitative platform. This begs the question: why does qualitative research have to mean a focus group? LEARN TO IMPROVE THE SURVEY EXPERIENCE  [![Three Tips to Improve Survey Questions](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/641505/18ba436c-5924-4af2-86d7-cf94f26a8d75.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/641505/18ba436c-5924-4af2-86d7-cf94f26a8d75) Topics: [Marketing Research](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/marketing-research), [qualitative research](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/qualitative-research), [quant vs. qual](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/quant-vs-qual) ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [Marketing Research (46)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/marketing-research) - [Market Research (28)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/market-research) - [Marketing Research Data (28)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/marketing-research-data) - [modern surveys (27)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/modern-surveys) - [Mobile (26)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/mobile) - [Data Driven Marketing (21)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/data-driven-marketing) - [Market Research Trends (18)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/market-research-trends) - [Consumer Insights (17)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/consumer-insights) - [Online Sampling (15)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/online-sampling) - [Survey Design (15)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/survey-design) - [Blog Post (13)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/blog-post) - [Data Quality (13)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/data-quality) - [Digital Data Collection (12)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/digital-data-collection) - [Financial Services (11)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/financial-services) - [APAC (10)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/apac) - [Healthcare Research (10)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/healthcare-research) - [data series (10)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/data-series) - [Video (9)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/video) - [Digital Consumer (8)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/digital-consumer) - [data append (8)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/data-append) - [marketing research best practices (8)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/marketing-research-best-practices) - [mobile first (8)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/mobile-first) - [mobile marketing research (8)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/mobile-marketing-research) - [Research Quality (7)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/research-quality) - [marketing research technologies (7)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/marketing-research-technologies) - [marketing research trends (7)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/marketing-research-trends) - [thought leadership (7)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/thought-leadership) - [Ask the Expert (6)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/ask-the-expert) - [Context (6)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/context) - [Panels (6)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/panels) - [Social Media (6)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/social-media) - [data enrichment (6)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/data-enrichment) - [Innovation (5)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/innovation) - [MRX Trends (5)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/mrx-trends) - [Sourcing (5)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/sourcing) - [behavioral data (5)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/behavioral-data) - [Big Data (4)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/big-data) - [Honesty Detector (4)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/honesty-detector) - [Lightspeed FSG (4)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/lightspeed-fsg) - [Millennials (4)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/millennials) - [Online access panels (4)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/online-access-panels) - [Privacy (4)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/privacy) - [Respondent experience (4)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/respondent-experience) - [media buying (4)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/media-buying) - [mobile surveys (4)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/mobile-surveys) - [questionnaire design (4)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/questionnaire-design) - [Brand Advertisting (3)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/brand-advertisting) - [Infographics (3)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/infographics) - [Survey Engagement (3)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/survey-engagement) - [data search (3)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/data-search) - [disABILITYincites Partnership (3)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/disabilityincites-partnership) - [gdpr (3)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/gdpr) - [qualitative research (3)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/qualitative-research) - [quant vs. qual (3)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/quant-vs-qual) - [validation (3)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/validation) - [Amazon (2)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/amazon) - [Communities (2)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/communities) - [Customized Advertising (2)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/customized-advertising) - [Dynamic Sourcing (2)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/dynamic-sourcing) - [Emerging Markets (2)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/emerging-markets) - [Emotional Insights (2)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/emotional-insights) - [Holidays (2)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/holidays) - [Marketing & Insights Event (2)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/marketing-insights-event) - [Mobile Advertising (2)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/mobile-advertising) - [Mobile Banking (2)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/mobile-banking) - [Mobile Purchasing (2)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/mobile-purchasing) - [Prediction (2)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/prediction) - [Survey Health Score (2)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/survey-health-score) - [Survey Length (2)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/survey-length) - [Trackers (2)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/trackers) - [Voice Technology (2)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/voice-technology) - [facial coding (2)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/facial-coding) - [minipoll (2)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/minipoll) - [online surveys (2)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/online-surveys) - [panelist engagement (2)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/panelist-engagement) - [research on research (2)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/research-on-research) - [smart speaker (2)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/smart-speaker) - [visualization (2)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/visualization) - [weighting data (2)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/weighting-data) - [Clients (1)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/clients) - [Data Breach (1)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/data-breach) - [Device Agnostic (1)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/device-agnostic) - [Ecommerce (1)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/ecommerce) - [Empathetic Questioning (1)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/empathetic-questioning) - [Multicultural Research (1)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/multicultural-research) - [PCs (1)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/pcs) - [Political Profiler (1)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/political-profiler) - [Predictive Analytics (1)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/predictive-analytics) - [Research Skills (1)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/research-skills) - [Science of Prediction (1)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/science-of-prediction) - [Talent Management (1)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/talent-management) - [US election (1)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/us-election) - [audience targeting (1)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/audience-targeting) - [eWallets (1)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/ewallets) - [emerging talent (1)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/emerging-talent) - [esomar (1)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/esomar) - [health tech (1)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/health-tech) - [location services (1)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/location-services) - [nonprobabliity samples (1)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/nonprobabliity-samples) - [probability samples (1)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/probability-samples) - [social listening (1)](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/topic/social-listening) see all © 2018, Lightspeed LLC - [Site Map](http://www.lightspeedresearch.com/site-map/) - [Privacy Policy](http://www.lightspeedresearch.com/privacy-policy/) - [Terms of Use](http://www.lightspeedresearch.com/terms-of-use/) [![Lightspeed](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Lightspeed-Sep2016/images/logo_orange_footer.png?width=124&name=logo_orange_footer.png "Lightspeed")](http://www.lightspeedresearch.com)[![](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logos/LightspeedHealth_Footer_Logo_orange_rollover.png?width=200&name=LightspeedHealth_Footer_Logo_orange_rollover.png)](http://www.lightspeed-health.com)[ ![](https://info-profiles.kantar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logos/FSG_Footer_1.png?width=201&name=FSG_Footer_1.png)](http://www.lightspeedfsg.com)