ESOMAR 36 QUESTIONS

Our Field Operations team is dedicated to delivering survey projects, with a strong focus on meeting quota and sample requirements. Many team members have years of experience and know how to fill tough quota cells. Researchers set the quota targets and outline any possible adjustments, while our data processing executives handle the weighting.

We also have a specialized Data Processing & Analytics team that determines the most suitable quotas for different target populations.

Both teams receive comprehensive training as part of their onboarding, and ongoing resources are available anytime for those who want to refresh or expand their skills.

Along with providing samples in 130 countries and global reach through our trusted partners, we offer a full range of services, including survey scripting, hosting, translation, coding, data processing, and tabulation.

We also have a wide selection of market-leading products designed to meet your research needs. For more details, please see our overview here.

TGM Research uses a multi-source approach to data collection, with our own proprietary panels at its core. These actively managed panels cover a broad spectrum of demographics and interests, forming the primary source of our samples.

To enhance diversity and reach more specialized groups, we also employ dynamic sampling (intercepts). This approach recruits participants in real time from a global network of mobile publishers, including social networks, gaming platforms, apps, messaging services, and news portals. Because TGM Research controls these dynamic sources, we can enrich our panels to create samples that are both diverse and representative.

Additionally, we have access to industry inventories and a network of pre-vetted partner panels. These carefully selected partners help us broaden our reach and capacity when needed. By combining these various sources, TGM Research delivers samples that closely reflect the target population.

TGM Research primarily sources samples from its proprietary TGM Panels, which include over 130 panels. While we don’t share exact percentages for each source, these figures vary significantly by project and country.

To enhance diversity and target specific groups, we also use TGM Dynamic Sample (Intercepts)—a real-time recruitment method. Though these dynamic sources aren’t entirely exclusive to TGM Research, we maintain strict oversight with multi-layered deduplication and proprietary quality controls.

When needed, we complement these sources with TGM Panel Partners. These partners, carefully vetted and pre-approved based on strict criteria, help us meet project demands beyond what our own panels can provide.

For tracking studies, we ensure data consistency and comparability by maintaining a stable distribution of sources across all waves.

TGM Research employs a comprehensive and diverse approach to recruitment, tailored to its proprietary panels and dynamic sampling needs. The recruitment strategy reflects years of experience in balancing sample profile and methodological rigorto ensure high-quality data collection.

Recruitment for TGM Panels:

• Open Process: Membership in TGM Panels is open to all eligible participants. Individuals can voluntarily join through our panel websites or via various recruitment channels.
• Non-Probabilistic Methods: TGM Research employs non-probabilistic methods to recruit panel members.

Key Recruitment Channels:

1. Affiliate Networks and Referrals:
   Partnerships with affiliate networks and referral programs expand outreach, though their proportions vary by region and project needs.
2. Opt-In Email Campaigns:
   Direct communication with potential participants encourages sign-ups.
3. Organic Traffic:
   Natural visits to panel websites serve as an important recruitment channel.
4. Mobile Applications:
   Mobile apps provide an accessible platform for participant engagement.
5. Marketing Campaigns:
   Targeted advertising and promotional activities focused on specific demographics.
6. Social Media:
   Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and others are leveraged for precise audience targeting.
7. Media Partnerships:
   Collaborations with media agencies and other digital partners boost recruitment efforts.

Regional strategies:
TGM Research tailors its recruitment strategy to the geographic and socio-demographic context of each country. Recruitment sources and their proportions are monitored to ensure diversity and regional relevance while accounting for socio-demographic differences. This approach helps maintain a balanced and representative sample across global regions.

Use of Affiliate Networks and Referral Programs:
While affiliate networks and referral programs are integral to the recruitment process, their specific proportions vary depending on country-specific conditions and project requirements. As such, precise breakdowns are not universally applicable and are adjusted to meet local needs.

TGM Research uses multiple validation steps to ensure participant authenticity and maintain high data quality:

Pre-Survey Validation:

All respondents, whether from TGM Panels, TGM Dynamic Samples, or partner panels, pass through the TGM Hub before starting the main survey. Here, we:

• Confirm human participation and eliminate bots.
• Verify uniqueness through digital fingerprinting.
• Use screening and trap questions to check respondent suitability.

Double Opt-In Registration:
New panelists must confirm their email address to validate their identity and ensure genuine participation.

Digital Fingerprinting:
We use this technology to detect and block duplicate attempts, even if a respondent tries to join using different identities or devices.

Data Consistency Checks:
We scrutinize the information provided at registration for inconsistencies. Anyone with mismatched data is flagged and must confirm their identity before joining.

IP and Cookie Tracking:
Monitoring IP addresses and cookies helps us identify repeat or fraudulent entries.

GeoIP Technology:
This ensures respondents are located in the intended country, preventing participation from outside the target region.

Suspicious IP and Traffic Filtering:
We automatically filter out suspicious IP addresses, proxy servers, and bots to safeguard data integrity.

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TGM Panel members register at TGM Panel websites, with separate sub-level domains per country/region (e.g. tgmpanel.pl, tgmpanel.uk, tgmpanel.us). Globally, 69% of surveys are completed on a mobile device, and 34% of surveys are completed on a computer or equivalent (desktop or laptop), but these proportions vary by country/region.

TGM Research offers a managed service model exclusively, enabling to maintain strict control over the invitation process and uphold their high-quality standards.

This approach ensures that:

1. Panel members are not contacted too frequently or infrequently.
2. Panelists are not invited to participate in similar research projects within short timeframes.

This model also aligns with TGM Research's commitment to providing personalized guidance and support to clients throughout the research process.

When offering intercepts or providing access to more than one source, TGM Research offers full transparency regarding the composition of its samples. This includes:

1. Disclosing the specific panels and sources used.
2. Providing expert recommendations on the optimal blend to achieve project objectives.

TGM Research is committed to delivering high-quality data and insights while prioritizing the use of its own panels. If external panels are required, TGM Research will inform the sample buyer and has a strict vetting process to select partners.

We will communicate this as relevant in proposals, via normal communications (email), scoping documents, reports, etc. Our expertise also means we know which sources to use and when for optimizing quality and accuracy – e.g., how to source for B2C, B2B, differences based on targeting vs Gen Pop needs, etc. At the end of the day, we will source per the client’s request and scoping arrangement, making sure they understand our perceptions of the benefits and/or tradeoffs of any requested approaches.

We always try to maximize use of our panels then reach out to trusted partners when needed. If the client has a strong opinion of sourcing then we will take that into consideration, as long as it fits with our best practices. For tracking studies, we design studies so that the sourcing composition is the same wave to wave in order to account for any inherent bias that would cause. At the end of the day, we will source per the client’s request and scoping arrangement, making sure they understand our perceptions of the benefits and/or tradeoffs of any requested approaches.

Customers can pre-vet their sample with over 350 characteristics. This means that researchers can tailor their sample to their exact requirements.

We do not segregate the panel, so all respondents are available for any types of research we do, whether that is a short or long questionnaire, mobile-only or desktop only questionnaires, communities or online focus groups. The majority of our research is quantitative, but we will carry out further screening to ascertain eligibility for niche projects.

Our proprietary sampling software features a router that helps eliminate self-selection bias and ensures efficient delivery of low-incidence samples. The process starts when panel members receive an invitation email or app notification with a survey link.

Router Functionality:

• When a panel member clicks the link, our router checks quotas for all active surveys and assigns the member to the most suitable survey based on their qualifications.
• We can manually adjust prioritization to expedite urgent client surveys. If a respondent does not qualify after the detailed screening, the router redirects them to another appropriate survey.

Ensuring Accurate Representation:
We are committed to achieving a sample that accurately mirrors the target population by:

• Applying demographic quota controls to maintain the right balance of respondents.
• Using advanced sampling algorithms to enhance sample quality.
• Employing a multisource approach, incorporating TGM Panels, dynamic sampling, and vetted partner panels when necessary.

Sample Blending and Consistency:
Beyond the router system, we further refine accuracy through:

• Demographic quota controls aligned with client specifications and population characteristics.
• Thoughtful sample blending to ensure validity and representativeness when multiple sources are used.
• Expert management of source consistency, especially in tracking studies, to preserve data quality and comparability over time.

To become a member of our TGM panel, all new members need to provide an email address. Since we don’t have contact with members before registration, we collect a range of data points on panel members through the initial opt-in process, ongoing profiling efforts, and survey responses.

Here's a breakdown of the information we collect and manage:

Basic profile information is stored for all panel members, including age, gender, and region.

Less frequently used attributes are covered to varying degrees, driven by client demand.

* We use a proprietary system that automatically updates panel member demographics from survey data (typically every 3-6 months), depending on the likelihood of change for particular data points.

All our panelists complete over the time up to 300+ screening questions, ensuring a comprehensive profile. There are no differences in profiling between sources since we primarily use our single-source proprietary panel. We understand that each supplier makes their own profiling decisions. Data points are usually updated once a year. While panelists can’t change their responses at will, they have the option to delete an existing response. We supply a subset of data points by default, with researchers having the option to access more detailed information via screening.
We collect all profiling information directly, ensuring data accuracy and control.

To accurately determine if we can meet your project’s requirements, we need the following information:

Sampling Criteria:
Who are you trying to survey? Please specify any demographic details, interests, behaviors, or other characteristics that define your target audience.

Total Sample Size:
How many completed interviews do you need?

Survey/Experiment Format:
Is it a one-time study, a tracking project over multiple waves, or in-depth interviews?

Timeline:
When do you need the fieldwork completed?

Using these details and our panel expertise, we’ll assess:

• Incidence Rate: How many of our panelists fit your target audience?
• Survey Length: Longer questionnaires may reduce participation rates.
• Filters and Quotas: Complex quotas can influence how quickly we find suitable respondents.
• Project Complexity: Does your project involve multiple waves, translations, or advanced scripting?

Once we’ve evaluated the feasibility, we’ll inform you if we can meet your objectives. If there are any challenges, we’ll work with you to adjust the number of completes, the field period, or the qualification criteria so we can deliver the results you need on time.

We follow a strict feasibility process to ensure that we only accept projects we know we can complete. Our system allows us to accurately assess feasibility before we begin, so there should never be a situation where a project is impossible to deliver. Our strong partner network, dynamic sampling methods, and internal panel give us the confidence to handle a wide variety of studies.

If, in rare cases, our combined resources fall short of the project’s requirements, we promise to be open and honest about it. We will work closely with you to find the best solution. This might involve:

• Recommending trusted partners as alternatives
• Adjusting quotas or screening criteria
• Launching additional recruitment campaigns with specialized media

Our goal is to keep communication clear and ensure that you’re involved in all key decisions. We remain committed to delivering high-quality data and insights while respecting ethical research standards.

We use a survey router to direct participants to the studies that fit them best. Typically, we invite panel members via email, or they can choose to join surveys through our website. Our routing algorithms consider several factors:

Profile Data: We leverage detailed profiling information to match participants with surveys that suit their demographics, interests, and behaviors.

Eligibility and Quotas: The router checks whether participants meet the survey’s criteria and helps fill required quotas for specific groups.

Priority of the Survey: We can prioritize certain surveys if they are time-sensitive or important to our clients.

Time Sensitivity: The router factors in the project’s deadlines to ensure timely completion.

This system aims to improve the participant experience by reducing irrelevant invitations and survey fatigue. It also helps maintain high response rates, data quality, and panel engagement.

At TGM Research, transparency and respect for our participants' time are very important. When we invite potential participants to take part in a research project, we usually send a standard email invitation informing them that they have the opportunity to participate. This initial invitation doesn't reveal specific details about the survey topic to avoid any potential bias in their decision-making.

Once a participant is allocated to a specific survey and successfully passes any additional screening questions, we immediately provide them with essential information, including:

• Estimated Length of the Survey: This allows potential participants to gauge the time commitment involved and decide if it fits their schedule.
• Reward for Participating: We clearly state the reward they'll receive upon successful completion of the survey, whether it's points, cash incentives, or other forms of compensation.

By providing this information upfront, we empower potential participants to make an informed decision about their participation, based on their availability, interest, and the value they place on their time. Our commitment is to create a positive and engaging experience for our panelists while delivering high-quality data and insights for our clients.

When deciding on taking part in a survey, respondents will be aware of the type of research, length of research, and the compensation offered.

At TGM Research, we recognize that incentives are a key factor in encouraging participation and ensuring the quality of our data. We use a flexible incentive system that can be adjusted during fieldwork. This could mean increasing incentives for groups that are harder to reach or raising them to speed up surveys that are on a tight schedule.

Why We Adjust Incentives:

• Low Incidence Rates: If fewer people than expected qualify for a survey, we may increase incentives to attract more participants.
• Longer Surveys: When surveys take longer than planned, we may offer additional incentives to compensate respondents for their time.
• Urgent Deadlines: For projects that need quick results, we can offer higher incentives to meet targets faster.

Maintaining Quality and Fairness:

• Data Quality Monitoring: We closely watch how incentive changes affect response rates and data quality.
• Transparency: We document all incentive adjustments at the participant level, so researchers know what changes were made.
• Ethical Standards: We follow ethical guidelines to ensure participants are treated fairly and that incentives do not create bias.

Our goal is to use incentives in a way that keeps our data accurate, upholds ethical practices, and respects the effort of our participants.

At TGM Research, we measure participant satisfaction after project to understand how participants feel about their experience. Keeping participants happy and engaged is a top priority, as it leads to more genuine responses and better data.

At the end of each survey, we ask a few short questions about key factors such as survey interest, design, and overall experience. We also invite suggestions for improvement. This direct feedback helps us refine our approach, enhance the participant experience, and maintain high-quality research standards.

While we collect overall satisfaction data, comparing results across different types of projects—varying in length, topic, or target audience—can be challenging due to each study’s unique nature. However, we work closely with our clients to share any relevant insights. This collaborative approach ensures that our clients get useful information while we continue to keep respondents satisfied and motivated.

We do provide a standard debrief report after a project is completed with details about the field timing, sample size, sample composition, and any weighting performed. This information is crucial for researchers to understand the context of the data and to ensure that the sample is representative of the target population. We also can provide additional information upon request

We aim to offer enough survey opportunities to keep our panelists engaged, while ensuring they don’t feel overwhelmed or biased by too many invites. Typically, our panel members receive email invitations no more than once every 24 hours.

There are some rare exceptions:

• Highly Targeted Surveys: If we need very specific demographics or characteristics, we might send more frequent invites to those who qualify.
• Immediate Post-Onboarding Surveys: After completing onboarding and providing core profile data, new panel members may access general surveys open to everyone.

Most surveys don’t have a maximum tenure requirement, so panelists can participate no matter how long they’ve been with us.

We maintain detailed records for each panel member to support panel management, quality control, and effective analysis. Our data includes:

• Survey Participation History: We track how often members respond, which helps spot biases and measure engagement.
• Sign-up Details: This covers basic demographics, interests, and contact information gathered during registration.
• Recruitment Source: We note how each member joined—directly, through partners, or other channels—to see which methods work best.

We handle all data responsibly, with privacy and transparency as top priorities. Any decision to share or append individual-level data for clients is made case by case, ensuring both ethical standards and participant confidentiality are maintained.

TGM Research uses multiple layers of verification at the system, welcome survey, and in-survey stages to confirm participant identity. This includes geolocation and IP checks, monitoring for red flags in behavior, requiring a double opt-in, verifying email domains, comparing country of residence with IP data, checking for consistent responses, and using quality-control measures like trap questions, attention checks, and speed monitoring.

More detailed information on these procedures is available upon request. We treat data privacy as a top priority and only share such details with clients on a case-by-case basis, and always with prior consent.

For most surveys, TGM Research relies on its own panels. If certain requirements can’t be met with these panels, we use pre-approved external vendors. Our sourcing team thoroughly vets all partners and keeps a close watch on sample quality.

To maintain consistency in tracking studies, we:

• Keep the panel mix the same from wave to wave
• Set vendor quotas before fieldwork and follow them strictly
• Use as few panels as possible for each survey
• Record each participant’s source in our database
• Disclose sample sources to clients upon request

We also work to avoid over-surveying and maintain an optimal frequency of invitations for our panelists. By blending multiple sources, we reduce selection bias and counter the “professional survey taker” effect, ensuring high-quality, reliable data.