Tamara Barber of Forrester Research recently posted an interesting blog on "Research Panels vs. Research Communities - What's the difference?" that highlights something we've mentioned on the MROC Talk blog before, namely that there is a distinct difference between research panels and market research online communities. 

It's great to hear that other vendors and analysts covering the space are also onboard with the differences, as I think it will mean there is finally some clarification around the terms and ways these two methods are used in the industry...

What I particularly like about Tamara's post is her mention of the iterative nature of online research communities, and how that makes for a key difference between a research community and a research panel.  Research communities allow you to really explore a topic in-depth through numerous iterations around a similar theme.  This is one of the biggest benefits of an ongoing research community approach. 

If you get a chance, definitely check out the post and comments (particularly Diane Hessan's insightful comment about focusing on engagement over size).  A special "thank you" to Katie Harris for her mention of our blog in the comments :-)

If you're interested, you can also check out some of our previous posts on this topic below:

• When does a market research community become a research panel? 
  
• Research communities vs. research panels
• Rethinking qualitative research methods
• Qualitative versus quantitative feedback in online research communities

You’ve heard of them. You’ve avoided them like the plague. You’ve probably seen them creep their way into your market research studies… Of course, I’m talking about “professional” respondents. You know them because they’re everywhere - in every panel, taking every survey and now you’re thinking… Will they find a way into my research community?

The short answer: they could, but it’s going to be more difficult for them to hide. Whereas panels, survey research and even short-term bulletin boards and other qualitative methodologies may allow them to be relatively anonymous, a research community is a different ballgame.

Depending on the size of the community, a “professional” respondent can be much easier to spot (and remove if necessary). With members being required to create a profile page, interact constantly with other members, blog (from time-to-time) and generally participate in more than simple surveys and polls, it’s much harder for the “pros” to hide. And we tend to think that’s a good thing :) Do you agree?

We get the question a lot… What’s the difference between a community and a panel for market research? Unfortunately, the names are frequently used interchangeably, causing quite a bit of confusion. I’ve even heard an online research community called a “community panel” (more than once). If you’ve ever wondered this yourself, here are a few of the differences:

• Online research communities are primarily a qualitative methodology, whereas panels are primarily quantitative.
• Online research communities provide members with a place to connect with one another, whereas (most) panels don’t provide a venue for member-to-member interactions.
• Research panels seek to discuss the “what,” whereas online research communities are designed to address the “why.”
• Research panels primarily use surveys (with the occasional invite to a qualitative discussion), whereas online research communities primarily use discussions, blogs, photo sharing, etc.

As time goes by, I have a feeling the confusion will subside. For now, hopefully this helps clarify!