1. What is an online focus group?
2. What is Imprint?
3. How does Imprint work?
4. Does Imprint require that I install proprietary software in order for the application to work?
5. How could Imprint be used?
6. What about moderators? Can I bring my own?
7. How many people can participate or view a group?
8. What tools are available for moderators?
9. How do I get participants for the group? Can I bring my own?
10. How soon can I get started and set up an Imprint focus group?
11. Do you need high-speed Internet access to use the application?
12. What kind of reporting can I get from an Imprint focus group?
13. How can I control a focus group if participant's comments are blatantly offensive or inappropriate?
14. Is it possible to use Imprint as an online meeting tool?

Q: What is an online focus group?
An online focus group is a unique type of qualitative research. Online focus groups take place in virtual focus group facilities that participants access via the Internet. A moderator poses questions and participants respond by typing their answers.

Q: What is Imprint?
Imprint is a type of online focus group application developed in conjunction with eBrain Market Research. Imprint marries the dialogue-driven questioning of a focus group with the interactive, graphical functionality of the Internet to produce a completely unique research tool. Imprint offers a superior user experience for all parties involved - moderators have more control, participants are more engaged and clients derive better results.

Q: How does Imprint work?
Imprint takes online focus groups to a new level. While previous groups have been nothing more than chat sessions, Imprint uses a graphical environment to involve participants in an engaging conversational experience. Moderators have complete control over the session, including the ability to pre-load all web pages, images, chat text, and external exhibits that are shown to the group. Clients are able to view the group (without participants knowledge) and are also able to chat directly with the moderator during the course of the group. Participants are engaged in the group by being part of a virtual room, where they can "see" the other participants and seamlessly interact with both textual chatting and non-verbal movements.

Q: Does Imprint require that I install proprietary software in order for the application to work?
No - Imprint runs inside your web browser, using Macromedia Flash, a common program used throughout the Internet.

Q: How could Imprint be used?
With any research methodology, the better the user experience the better the results. Imprint's innovative approach to qualitative research ensures users are engaged, entertained, and able to provide their opinions in a variety of ways. Possible uses: - Product development. Imprint is a great tool for generating new ideas from customers and refining existing ideas. - Test marketing. Will consumers like your new marketing campaign or how will baby boomers react to your hip, new product packaging? Imprint gets to the heart of theses issues. - Concept testing. Will teens want your new gadget in red, black, or silver? And, why? - Branding. How is your brand perceived? In relation to other brands, how do consumers rank your brand?

Q: What about moderators? Can I bring my own?
Imprint has a growing staff of trained moderators with expertise in a number of areas, including business-to-business, youth, and minority groups. Many of the moderators have PhDs and extensive industry experience, which ensure clients maximize the value of their research dollars. If you prefer to use your moderator, Imprint will provide complementary training so that your moderator will be able to get the most value out of the research experience.

Q: What tools are available for moderators?
Each moderator will receive his or her own Imprint account. It provides easy-to-use tools for scheduling a group, managing participants, sending invitation and reminder emails, and setting up a moderator's guide. Imprint staff will train each new moderator on the features of the application. During the group, the moderator's interface provides the moderator with complete control over the group. The interface is designed to allow moderators to spend their time on moderating the group, rather than worry about the technology behind the experience. Additionally, Imprint staff will be online and available during each group to answer questions and provide assistance, if necessary.

Q: How many people can participate or view a group?
The number of participants and clients is unlimited. The current setup of the virtual room allows clients to view 14 different "avatars," but the application will support far more participants and clients.

Imprint recommends, however, that the number of participants in a focus group be no more than ten. Recently, the research industry has termed groups of 20, 50, or even 100 participants as "online focus groups." While these sessions could be termed as real-time discussions, our research experts have indicated that the best online qualitative research experience typically includes a smaller, more targeted group of participants.

Q: How do I get participants for the group? Can I bring my own?
Imprint has a preferred relationship with a major sample provider to provide the best participants for your project's needs. Our recruitment process is tested and robust, ensuring a rewarding experience for each client. We rely on a combination of online and telephone recruiting to achieve high participation rates, even among tough to reach audiences.

Imprint can easily accommodate your own participants in a group - all we will need is an email address.

Q: How soon can I get started and set up an Imprint focus group?
This depends on the type of project that you require. If you are providing the moderator and participants, Imprint can set up your group and account on the same day.

For projects requiring a moderator and sample, the typical lead time is five business days. Exceptions can be made depending on the nature of the project.

Q: Do you need high-speed Internet access to use the application?
No - Imprint is designed to function well on both broadband and dial-up connections. The only thing you will need to ensure is that your Internet browser and version of Macromedia Flash are both up to date. As an added backup, the application will perform the check automatically.

Q: What kind of reporting can I get from an Imprint focus group?
Imprint offers a full-featured transcript engine in order to help moderators better analyze the group. The transcript, which is immediately available to the moderator following the group, displays all text comments in the group, all exhibits shown to the group, all private discussions among clients, and participant demographic information. Additionally, the transcript provides the ability to filter comments by participants, gender, age, and location.

Q: How can I control a focus group if participant's comments are blatantly offensive or inappropriate?
Imprint includes an automatic profanity filter that is designed to prevent disparaging remarks. Additionally, moderators have the ability to warn participants privately about their behavior, or ban them completely if they are recalcitrant. This type of situation is extremely rare, but is an added feature designed to ensure a quality research experience.

Q: Is it possible to use Imprint as an online meeting tool?
Of course! Imprint was designed with the qualitative researcher in mind - however, we have discovered through testing that it can make online meeting collaboration fun, interactive, and efficient. From showing co-workers web pages to just having a quick brainstorming session with colleagues in separate locations, Imprint is a great alternative for your meeting needs.