The traditional web survey is no longer the only player in the online research ecosystem.

Over the past few years, we have witnessed the emergence of:

• Social Media Research;
• Do It Yourself Research (DIY) and;
• Mobile Research.

Traditional web surveys are not disappearing anytime soon. However, their results can often times be complemented by integrating new practices such as social media research, DIY and mobile research into the process.

The online research toolbox is getting richer and market research firms need to adapt to this new reality or risk losing ground to firms specializing in these new techniques.

Cell phones, namely smartphones are here to stay. They are ingrained in our culture, and are a staple for most 18 to 34 year olds – a demographic notoriously difficult to reach through web panels and telephone surveys.

As marketing analysts, we are always on the hunt for ways to reach out to this elusive demographic – one such technique is through mobile surveys.