Deploying Mobile Communications In Qualitative Research

MRIA QRD Webinar: Tuesday, June 22

Join us at 12 noon Eastern on Tuesday, June 22 for the Qualitative Research Division’s first webinar, offered for just $15 to MRIA members with an interest in qualitative research.

Presented jointly by Shamsu Bhaidani, CEO of FocusForums from Calgary, Alberta, and Shaili Bhatt, Qualitative Research Consultant from Chicago, Illinois, this webinar will provide an insightful introduction to how qualitative researchers can effectively deploy mobile communications as a key element in their research toolbox.

To view Shamsu Bhaidani’s profile, click here.

To view Shaili Bhatt’s profile, click here.

Webinar Timing and Cost
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm EDT, Tuesday, June 22, 2010
$15 MRIA members; $30 non-members (per phone line connection)

Gather several of your colleagues around a computer and a speaker phone and save!

To participate in this webinar, you must register via the MRIA Portal. Select “Events & Publications”, then “Process an Event / Publication transaction”.

Webinar Content
Web-enabled phones are becoming ever more prevalent and have never been more affordable. Status updates, mobile apps, sms/texting and mobile e-mail are transforming the landscape of social networking. Far more than a passing trend, mobile communications are here to stay!

This webinar will

  • explore how innovative qualitative researchers can integrate mobile communication media -- such as sms/text messaging, apps, and e-mail to stay connected with “on-the-go” respondents and capture real-time information including images and video;

  • share tips on how qualitative researchers can personalize their mobile communications and encourage respondents to interact with their web-enabled phones;

  • discuss the important differences between “outbound” and “inbound” mobile SMS questions, and which technique is most valuable for qualitative researchers; and

  • outline how qualitative researchers can view aggregated findings online instead of over the phone.

The presentation will also include interactive discussion about what types of qualitative research situations and projects are appropriate for deploying mobile communications. How can mobile communications add value to your research studies?

About Our Webinar Presenters

Shamsu Bhaidani
Shamsu Bhaidani is the Founder and President of FocusForums, based in Calgary, Alberta, which provides qualitative and quantitative online research tools for a global clientele. Using his more than 12 years of experience in the technology industry, Shamsu has carefully crafted FocusForums software into a unique and innovative product for online research.

Under the motto, "Excellence in Service," his commitment to innovation and drive to provide clients and consumers with the best user experience has resulted in practical improvements to FocusForums software and fostered long-term relationships with his clients. Shamsu recently pioneered an integration of mobile phones with web-based research software, advancing the possibilities for mobile qualitative research modes. His current phone is an Apple iPhone, and he also has a Blackberry Pearl.

Shamsu co-presented, with Shaili Bhatt, at the 2009 QRCA Annual Conference in Palm Springs on the topic of Mobile Market Research and followed that up in May 2010 by presenting at the 2010 AQR-QRCA Joint conference in Prague, Czech Republic.

Shaili Bhatt
Shaili Bhatt started her own web design firm while in college. Following graduation in 2002 with a degree in advertising from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Shaili made the switch to qualitative market research. She worked as a Senior Research Associate with Wooldridge Associates in Chicago, and completed her first online qualitative research project in 2004.

Shaili is now an independent consultant, conducting in-person and online qualitative research for a wide range of industries and categories. She has been the lead moderator on studies for clients such as Kraft Foods, Johnson & Johnson (Vistakon, McNeil Nutritionals, Cordis Corporation), Unilever and Mrs. Fields. Shaili is enthusiastic and willing to share her expertise in online research and technology–her current phone is a Blackberry Storm.

Shaili has been an active member of the Qualitative Research Consultants Association (QRCA) since 2004, and has co-presented at five QRCA National Conferences, the 2008 Joint AQR-QRCA Conference in Barcelona, as well as several US QRCA Chapter meetings. She is the “Trends” Feature Editor for QRCA VIEWS magazine, and was also the Vice-Chair of the 2009 QRCA Conference in Palm Springs.
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