Question 1

What practices ensure competitive intelligence avoids confirmation bias?

Accepted Answer

To ensure competitive intelligence isn't skewed by confirmation bias, teams need to actively seek out information that challenges their assumptions and use structured analysis practices. One key habit is to consult multiple diverse sources of data on competitors, rather than just the outlets that confirm your existing beliefs. Analysts should also play the devil's advocate with their findings — for example, if initial intel suggests a competitor's strategy is failing, they purposely look for evidence of success or alternative explanations to balance the view. Using formal frameworks (like SWOT analyses or scenario planning) imposes a discipline of examining both positive and negative indicators objectively. Finally, having peers review intelligence reports can catch one-sided interpretations. By building in these checks, competitive intelligence efforts avoid simply confirming biases and instead reveal a more accurate picture of the market.

Question 2

Where do AI-driven qual methods most need to improve?

Accepted Answer

AI-driven qualitative methods still need big improvements in capturing human nuance and context to match the depth of traditional qualitative research. For example, an AI can rapidly transcribe and sort through interview data or even conduct basic chatbot interviews, but it often misses subtle cues like sarcasm, tone shifts, or body language that human moderators use to probe deeper. Current AI text analysis might flag keywords or sentiment, yet it can struggle to understand the underlying "why" behind responses or adjust on the fly when a participant says something unexpected. Another area for improvement is transparency: AI-generated themes or summaries sometimes feel like a black box, leaving researchers unsure how the AI arrived at those insights. In short, AI-driven qual tools need better contextual understanding, emotional intelligence, and explainability before they can fully rival a human-led qualitative approach.

Question 3

Which business problems are best solved with expert-led interviews?

Accepted Answer

Business problems that require deep insight or nuanced understanding - rather than just numbers - are best suited for expert-led interviews. If the question at hand is "why" something is happening or involves complex decision processes, talking directly with knowledgeable stakeholders yields richer answers. For example, exploring why a B2B sales process is failing or how high-level executives view an emerging market often needs a skilled interviewer who understands the context and can probe beneath surface responses. Expert-led interviews shine in situations where human factors, motivations, or intricate details matter, because the interviewer can clarify responses in real time and adjust questions on the fly. In short, whenever the problem is complex and context-heavy - like strategic direction, innovation insight, or sensitive customer perceptions - one-on-one interviews by an expert guide tend to deliver the best insights.

Question 4

What new tactics keep mobile diary participants engaged beyond day three?

Accepted Answer

To keep participants engaged in a mobile diary study beyond the first few days, introduce variety and incentives that rekindle their interest around day three. For example, add an unexpected interactive task mid-study--ask them to upload a quick photo or video related to the diary topic--which can make the exercise feel fresh again. Gamification elements help too: small rewards or fun badges for completing entries each day can motivate continued involvement. Some researchers even introduce a surprise incentive or mini-contest on day 3 (like a bonus reward for the most thoughtful entry) to reignite commitment. Personalization is another tactic; sending a brief, encouraging feedback message (e.g., "We loved your insight from yesterday!") reminds participants their input is valued. The key is to break the monotony and show appreciation, so people remain enthusiastic and don't drop off as the diary progresses.

Question 5

How should we measure reach for short-form vertical video surfaces?

Accepted Answer

Traditional reach metrics need a tweak for short-form vertical video (like TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts) - you'll want to focus on unique viewers and meaningful views rather than raw impression counts. Platforms will report massive view numbers for a catchy 15-second video, but since these formats autoplay and loop, a better gauge of reach is how many distinct individuals saw it. Marketers typically define a view threshold (say a 2 or 3-second view or the video unmuted) to count as real exposure, and then look at unique reach alongside engagement rates (shares, likes, comments) to judge impact. Using these measures, often combined with frequency caps in ad campaigns, ensures you're assessing whether the content genuinely reached a broad audience and held their attention long enough to matter. In summary, prioritize unique reach and engaged views for short-form videos to capture true audience exposure.

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Market Research FAQs with Expert Insights

What practices ensure competitive intelligence avoids confirmation bias?

Where do AI-driven qual methods most need to improve?

Which business problems are best solved with expert-led interviews?

What new tactics keep mobile diary participants engaged beyond day three?

How should we measure reach for short-form vertical video surfaces?