Panel Research

Term from Market Research industry explained for recruiters

Panel Research is a way of gathering information from a consistent group of people (called a panel) who agree to participate in regular surveys and studies over time. It's like having a reliable group of consumers on speed dial who can provide ongoing feedback about products, services, or trends. This method is different from one-time surveys because researchers can track how opinions and behaviors change over time by asking the same people repeatedly. Companies use panel research to understand customer preferences, test new products, or spot market trends early.

Examples in Resumes

Managed Panel Research projects with over 5,000 participants to track consumer behavior

Conducted Panel Research and Consumer Panel studies for major retail brands

Led Panel Research initiatives to measure customer satisfaction across multiple product lines

Typical job title: "Panel Research Managers"

Also try searching for:

Panel Research Manager Consumer Panel Manager Market Research Manager Research Panel Coordinator Panel Operations Manager Market Research Analyst Consumer Insights Manager

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you handle panel attrition in a long-term research study?

Expected Answer: A senior manager should discuss strategies for maintaining panel engagement, including incentive structures, communication plans, and methods to recruit replacement participants while maintaining sample quality.

Q: How do you ensure the quality of panel data over time?

Expected Answer: Should explain methods for identifying unreliable responses, managing panel fatigue, implementing quality checks, and maintaining panel representativeness.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What factors do you consider when designing a panel recruitment strategy?

Expected Answer: Should discuss demographic targeting, screening criteria, recruitment channels, and how to ensure panel represents the target population.

Q: How do you maintain panel engagement and participation rates?

Expected Answer: Should explain various engagement techniques like appropriate incentives, regular communication, interesting survey design, and reasonable participation requirements.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is panel research and how does it differ from other research methods?

Expected Answer: Should be able to explain that panel research involves repeated surveys with the same group over time, versus one-off surveys with different respondents.

Q: How do you ensure participant privacy in panel research?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of basic data protection practices, confidentiality agreements, and proper handling of personal information.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic panel management
  • Survey programming
  • Data collection
  • Basic reporting

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Panel recruitment and maintenance
  • Quality control procedures
  • Project management
  • Client communication

Senior (5+ years)

  • Strategic panel design
  • Advanced methodology
  • Team leadership
  • Complex project management

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No experience with panel recruitment or management
  • Lack of understanding of sampling methods
  • Poor knowledge of research ethics and privacy requirements
  • No experience with data quality control