Market Research

Faber Maunsell's Social Research and Consultation Team are able to design individually tailored, actionable research, through a range of innovative and sophisticated market research techniques. Our team are highly experienced, trained specialists in research and consultation, led by full members of the Market Research Society.

Effective research and consultation is used to understand the needs and requirements in today's rapidly changing social and political climate. It enables:

• Identification of stakeholders and consumers
• Provision of the correct services, tailored to their needs
• Measurement of how satisfied they are with services
• 'Best Value' service delivery

We offer robust methodologies, tailored to each project and designed to be capable of withstanding external scrutiny.

Our social research and consultation projects build upon a combination of qualitative and quantitative methodologies to deliver the information and analysis that will serve clients needs to best effect.

Qualitative Research

Much of our work begins with qualitative research, in which we:

• Gain an understanding of the market context and identify issues
• Explore issues in depth
• Establish underlying reasons for people's views

These objectives are achieved through a selection of the following techniques:

• Focus groups (small discussion groups)
• Mini groups (2 to 4 people)
• One-to-one depth interviews, including Business to Business
• A variety of specialist techniques to stimulate discussion

Quantitative Research

In many cases there will be a need to produce analysis and results that are representative and statistically reliable. The research outputs:

• Support policy decisions
• Benchmark and monitor performance
• Identify priorities for improvement

The outputs are drawn from a combination of:

• Survey and sampling design
• Questionnaire design
• Postal and telephone surveys
• On-street, on-system and household surveys
• Computer assisted personal interviews
• Observational research and video analysis
• Website design and web-based questionnaires
• Data input and SPSS analysis
• Gap analysis
• Stated preference, conjoint analysis and revealed preference
• Advanced statistical analysis

Consultation

Consultation can never replace direct contact between communities and those charged with the responsibility for planning services; it can, however, provide an evidence-based process that ensures that all voices are heard.

Consultation facilitates the interaction between clients and stakeholders. Our procedures engage stakeholders through:

• Their identification
• Understanding their needs and concerns
• Highlighting differences of views
• Presenting information and options to them and obtaining feedback
• Managing their expectations
• Moving towards consensus

Our approach to consultation includes a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods, as well as:

• Public events, exhibitions and road shows
• Communication materials, eg display boards, leaflets, newsletters and media liaison
• Stakeholder workshops, seminars and events
• Community involvement

Collaboration

We have over 20 staff dedicated to Social Research and Consultation providing transport related and non-transport related market research.

As well as offering a stand-alone market research service, we work closely with colleagues from other areas of the company and link with external specialists when required.

Industry Standards

All key team members are members of the Market Research Society (MRS). We adhere to the MRS Code of Conduct in all our work and are also registered under the Data Protection Act.

Faber Maunsell's Integrated Management System, which is fully accredited to ISO 9001:2000, governs our project management and operational process; we also share the company's commitment to ISO 14000 environmental standards.

External Audience

Faber Maunsell's research and consultation skills have been applied across a wide range of sectors and are equally relevant in education, environment, health, housing, social services and transport. Recent applications have included:

• Customer, and employee satisfaction research
• New product development
• Demand forecasting
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Social research
• Best Value surveys
• Community involvement
• Prioritising expenditure
• Researching 'hard to reach' groups
• Branding research
• Pricing research
• Ideas generation and option testing

Our Clients include:

• Central Government (Department for Transport, Department of Trade and Industry)
• European Commission
• Local Authorities
• Government Agencies, Development Agencies, Health Trusts
• Private Companies
• Transport Operators and Academic Institutions

For more information on our experience and capabilities please contact Jeremy Hardin.