The different types of research that the Panel can be used for The following are some of the main types of research that can be carried out using the Panel - the list is not exhaustive but will give you an idea of what can be done Quantitative Research Quantitative research provides statistics in response to set questions. For example, it could tell you what proportion of your users would like you to extend opening hours, or the aspects of your service that users would most like to see improved. It typically involves asking a large number of people their views on a particular subject. But although quantitative research will tell you what a proportion of people think about something, unless you plan carefully, it won t tell you why. Detailed data are held on each Panel member, costs are reduced as there is no need to screen those selected.
Telephone surveys have the advantage of being quicker than other research methods.
One potential disadvantage is that this type of survey will exclude Panel members who do not have a telephone, or who decline to make their number available. Self-completion postal surveys have the advantage over other approaches of being relatively cheap. The fact that Panel members have agreed to take part in surveys means that postal surveys are likely to be more effective than they would be among the general public, where they normally suffer from low response rates. But even so, they may be unrepresentative of the general population because only those people who are fully literate and have the inclination to do so will reply. Qualitative Research Qualitative research can tell you what people think and why, and allow you to explore in detail views, attitudes, behaviour or motives.