Features

Hosted solution

Mobile Researcher is a fully hosted and managed solution.

Our experts take care of system maintenance, data backups, disaster recovery and security - you focus on the research. Once you've signed up, a Research Console is created for your organisation. This web-based portal centralises research-related activities including survey design, deployment, field worker management and data analysis.

Your Research Console can be accessed from anywhere using a standard web browser. There's no software to download or install.

Easy-to-use survey designer

A centralised, drag-and-drop survey designer allows you to rapidly create surveys in a versioned environment. Effortlessly reuse questions, define custom logic and enforce validation.

Support for multiple data collection channels

The Mobile Researcher platform leverages low cost and widely available mobile devices to conduct research and capture data. Hundreds of handset models are supported allowing surveys to be sent to and conducted on millions of mobile phones.

• Mobile application channel
  Installing a tiny mobile application connects your field workers to your Research Console. Assign surveys directly to the phone, conduct surveys in the field without network reception and leverage the features of the phone. Learn more.
  
  
• WAP channel
  Leverage the web browser built-in to most mobile phones to conduct surveys without installing any software. In addition, respondents can be invited to participate directly in surveys using their own mobile phones. Learn more.
  
  
• SMS channel
  Surveys may be answered via SMS in addition to the more advanced channels. This ensures that every mobile device can be used to capture data in certain scenarios. Learn more.
  
  
• Deploy and conduct surveys using a variety of other channels such as PDAs and online surveys with many more on the way.

Field worker management

Monitor the productivity and quality of research conducted by field staff. A wealth of management information is available such as the time at which a survey was conducted, how long the interview took and how it compares with similar surveys conducted by other field workers.

Enhanced mobility

When using the mobile application channel, field workers don't need network coverage to conduct surveys. Survey responses are stored securely on the mobile phone until network reception becomes available. This enables research to be conducted even in the most remote areas.

Real-time data availability and analysis

Survey responses are processed and available for analysis, reporting, export or custom action the moment they are submitted by the field worker. Via your Research Console, responses may be viewed and exported immediately.

Integrated reports allow responses to be visualised and monitored as they are captured in the field.

Improved data integrity

The removal of paper from the research process reduces the number of points at which error can be introduced. Responses may be validated as they are captured to ensure that only data conforming to pre-defined rules is accepted.

Optimised resource usage

Save on survey printing, distribution and collection costs using the mobile application and WAP channels. Surveys are deployed directly to mobile phones and captured digitally, drastically reducing resource usage and completely obviating costs related to data capture.

The usage-based, least cost pricing model produces the fairest, most scalable and affordable solution available. You are always in complete control of your budget and are able to accurately and reliably predict usage costs.

Focus on respondent confidentiality

Ensuring that sensitive information volunteered by respondents is kept confidential is vital to ensuring honest and open participation.

Using the mobile application channel responses are stored securely on the phone until they are uploaded directly to your Research Console. Once a survey is complete it cannot be accessed again from the phone - even by the field worker who conducted it. Only authorised individuals within your organisation who have been granted the required permissions may gain access to captured responses.

Integrated communication

Communication with field staff is simplified with the ability to send SMS messages directly. Available as an optional extra, bi-directional messaging may be added allowing staff to reply directly to messages. All conversations are logged and tracked from within the Research Console.

Reduced environmental impact

The removal of paper from the research process reduces your organisation's environmental footprint. Improved remote monitoring and management capabilities reduce the need for face-to-face meetings. As surveys are deployed and uploaded via available mobile networks, distribution and collection of surveys is also removed.