Once I read a study that says the most popular radio in northeastern Bosnia is radio Bobar. Oh, yes. Right! Of course I have nothing against the radio, I listen to it every day, but that is not a real picture. Here, we all know that the other radio is the most listened. My ex-colleague told me that she, as a student, used to do survey of clients at the request of researching agency. I asked her if that was a hard work. No way, she said, I do about 20 surveys, and the rest (80) I fill in by myself, at home. According to recent research, the biggest „share“ has TV Pink, the most watched is the Second daily news on national television, BH Telecom have the majority of users…. How all this is trustful? Well, I would say at least keep your eyes open. Why? Due to few problems in researching.
Who ordered the research? If I ordered research (overpaid of course) to get the picture what my ratings are in relation to others as, for example artists, it is very likely that the results will show that I am the first or at the very top. This happens for two reasons. The first is because I told the agency that I want to get such results so I can show off. And second, because the agency believes that will lose client by telling the harsh truth. In both cases the final result is to have several radio stations showing off as the most popular, most read newspapers, most popular TV stations…
Who is doing the research? Always check strongly who will do the research. Once I was involved in the research we have worked together with partner agency. After a meeting with their management, exchanging of compliments regarding results, know-how resources and other tools of flirting, I asked a meeting with people working in direct contact with clients. They were surprised. Like, no one has not asked for it, so far. Well, I’m asking! I want to see who they are, how they think, what they know and how motivated people at the front line are. I want to estimate how much I can trust them. No matter how strong and reputable agency is, everything comes down to people who talk to respondents, do the surveys, focus groups, interviews … If they „adjust“ information, then we‘re just throwing the money for something that has nothing to do with reality.
Honesty? Since childhood we are taught not to be honest. At least, not entirely. Do not say you do not like a gift from the aunt, to the girl for being obese, to the chief he is not right … So why do we think that people we interview are honest? Unfortunately, the most are not. There are two problems. The first is that respondent want to present himself at his best. An obvious example of this behavior is research done in Serbia. The task was to determine which was the most beer drunk in a town. According to a street poll it was Bavaria. Wise researchers never use one source of information or only one method of research. They visited drink stores and supermarkets. It turned out that in that town, the cheapest and poor quality and taste, beer from the local brewery reaches the best selling. Spoken in jargon, people were ashamed to say that. Another problem with honesty is the distortion of relationship. It mostly happens in research conducted by the company with its current or former clients. Respondents then have a frequent dilemma – „What do they want me to say?” If they know the answer to this question, then they talk about it. That is why, very often, we get results that 98% of clients are satisfied with bank procedures (and we know that they are not), 95% of clients have no objections to the work of your staff, or so. Why do they do that? Simply, they do not want to spoil relations and their position. The ground behind this behavior is „Oh, if I complain then they will make problems for future purchases, loans, insurance….”
Clients do not really know what they want? It sounds unbelievable, but sometimes very true. We cannot believe everything respondents say at first. True researchers (as noted above), make good preparation, use several sources and combine various qualitative and quantitative tools in order to reach more realistic situation. Recently we have been doing research that was supposed to show the basis on what is decided where the loan will be taken. What is the most important factor? In surveys with clients it was, of course, with high 90%, the interest. That is the most important to us, or, only if the loan is cheap, not to pay much, banks „strip us off“ … After that, we did focus groups and additional surveys where clients were offered to directly compare the importance of certain loan elements by grading them. Do you know at what place the interest was? On the fourth! The most important were simplicity of procedures, guarantees and quickness in getting money.
These are some of the most important elements to think about when ordering research or blind belief to results. All written, does not put the legitimacy of various research into an issue. Research are greatly needed for better understanding of the opinion and trends around us. This also does not mean that all researching agencies are bad, superficial, having unreliable people on the field. All written tells you to be careful and, despite expensively paid research, avoid living in delusion.