Wide range of methodologies
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  • In-person focus groups, mini-groups, friendship circles
  • Online bulletin boards
  • Depth interview studies – in person and by phone (tele-depths)  
  • On-site interviews and observations – in homes, offices, etc.
  • Team projects – multiple moderators, larger qualitative samples, teaming with cultural anthropologists
  • Hybrid studies – combining methodologies for a multi-faceted approach

Our years of experience in qualitative research enables us to advise you on the most effective approaches for your studies.  Our reports are rich, thorough and focused on client objectives, with practical and creative recommendations for ideas you can use.

Judy Langer

The Mirrored Window: Focus Groups from a Moderator's Point of View

Judy Langer shares her insider's knowledge of how to improve your qualitative research. This is the book that professionals recommend when asked about essential reading in qualitative research.

Judy Langer
Judy Langer

Practical advice from Judy Langer

In an interview on the Merrill Dubrow blog, Judy reflects on her history in qualitative research and gives practical advice on things like how to work with a focus group facility.

Some of the studies we've done
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Judy Langer’s long experience conducting qualitative studies on consumer lifestyles and values, as well as her understanding of what motivates decisions enriches all her research. 

Recent consumer studies

Environmental concerns – combination of in-home interviews to understand consumer real-life behavior and develop concepts for exploration in focus groups

Health and weight concerns – focus groups probing deeper feelings and concerns, using respondent collaging, exploring reactions to stimuli

Women’s lives – what makes women feel satisfied with their lives. A new approach that integrates in-person discussions with a therapist, combined with pre- and post-online boards.

Modern complexities – what makes life today difficult/confusing for women and men, how they look for simplicity. A combination of in-person focus groups and online bulletin boards.

Public television's image – conducted focus groups for a public TV station on its image, what makes people decide to or not to become members

Boomer parents – how parents in the baby boomer generation relate to their children, the issues they deal with

Magazines – online bulletin boards with subscribers and non-subscribers of a home magazine on their lifestyles, feelings about their homes, views of their homes, what they get and want from the magazine, dialogue with editors 

Recent business-to-business (b2b) studies

Newspaper advertisers – tele-depths on their views of the business outlook, media spending, effective media

Magazine advertisers – tele-depths on their views of the changing media environment, their needs as advertisers, perceptions of the publications

Business medical insurance plans – focus groups with company decision-makers and with insurance brokers on changes in employer/employee needs, reactions to concepts

Law firm financial decision-making – combining tele-depths and a focus group on the way financial services providers are selected

Professional website – combining in-person focus groups and a bulletin board to explore what professionals want in a website, branding issues

Workshops, training and speeches
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Judy Langer has been a leader in the qualitative research industry for many years. An expert on lifestyle trends, she was previously Senior Vice President, GfK NOP Qualitative Practice, and headed her firm, Langer Associates for over 20 years.

A founder of the Qualitative Research Consultants Association (QRCA), Judy is passionate about improving the standards of qualitative, training clients and moderators, and using qualitative to gain insights into consumers.  She is frequently asked to share her expertise with others in the industry.

  • Co-led workshop "Qualitative Research: Trends and Innovations" for the New York Chapter of the American Association for Public Opinion Research (NYAAPOR)
  • Speech to American Marketing Association (AMA) Executive Insights Conference on “Putting Focus Groups In Their Place”
  • Qualitative research training sessions for American Association of Public Opinion Research (AAPOR), New York chapter
  • Chaired a panel discussion for the Market Research Council on “Qualitative Research Today and Tomorrow”
  • ESOMAR (European Market Research Association) workshop on “Current and Emerging Qualitative Research Trends” in Athens, Paris and Singapore
  • ASM (Association for Strategic Marketing) audio conference on "Best Practices in Using Focus Group Research"
  • Training workshop in Kiev on qualitative research for Ukrainian and Russian researchers
  • Chaired a panel at the QRCA conference, "From Two Sides Now — The Inside Scoop from Moderator/Facility Owners on Getting the Successful Fieldwork"
  • Panelist at QRCA New York chapter meeting, “What's Going On? How the qualitative research landscape is changing and what to do about it!”
  • Guest lecturer on qualitative research at NYU Stern School of Business
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