How to get survey respondents: Five ways to get survey responses (Updated April 2023)

One of the most important aspects of research is getting the right respondents, you wouldn’t ask a dog owner about cat food. It can seem daunting, expensive and time-consuming, but a decent sample size is key to quality research.

What are research panels?

Research survey panels, also known as online panels, are groups of individuals who have voluntarily signed up to participate in market research surveys on various topics. These panels are used by researchers, businesses, and organizations to collect data, opinions, and feedback from a diverse group of participants for a wide range of purposes, such as market research, product development, customer satisfaction measurement, and academic research.

Research survey panels are typically composed of individuals who are willing to share their opinions and experiences in exchange for incentives, such as cash rewards, gift cards, or other types of compensation. Panelists may come from different backgrounds, ages, genders, and geographic locations, providing researchers with access to a diverse and representative sample of the population they are interested in studying.

Panel members are recruited through various methods, such as online advertisements, social media, email invitations, or referrals. Once recruited, panelists are asked to complete an initial profiling survey to provide information about their demographics, interests, and preferences, which helps researchers to match them with relevant surveys. Panelists then receive regular invitations to participate in surveys based on their profile and interests, and they can choose to participate or decline based on their availability and interest.

Research survey panels offer several advantages to researchers. First, they provide a convenient and cost-effective way to collect data from a large number of participants quickly. Panels are often managed by research companies or survey providers who handle the logistics of survey administration, data collection, and data management, saving researchers time and effort. Second, panels allow researchers to access diverse and representative samples of participants, which is important for obtaining reliable and generalizable results. Third, panels offer flexibility in terms of survey length, timing, and frequency, allowing researchers to tailor their surveys to their specific research needs.

Research panels

Top 5 Research Survey Panels for Market Research and Academic Studies

As the field of market research and academic studies continues to evolve, researchers are increasingly relying on online survey panels to collect data from diverse and representative samples of participants. These panels provide a convenient and efficient way to gather insights and opinions from a large number of individuals across different demographics and geographic locations. Here are the top 5 research survey panels that are widely recognized for their quality, reliability, and reach.

1. SurveyMonkey Audience: SurveyMonkey is a well-known name in the online survey industry, and their SurveyMonkey Audience panel is one of the largest and most popular research survey panels. With over 100 million panelists from around the world, SurveyMonkey Audience offers access to a diverse and global participant base. They offer targeting options based on demographics, interests, and other criteria, allowing researchers to tailor their surveys to specific populations. SurveyMonkey Audience also provides robust survey design features and data collection tools, making it a top choice for researchers looking for a comprehensive survey solution.
2. Toluna: Toluna is a global consumer intelligence platform that operates one of the largest online research panels, with over 30 million panelists in more than 70 countries. Toluna offers a wide range of targeting options, including demographics, interests, and behaviors, and provides survey programming and data analysis services. Toluna’s panel is known for its size, diversity, and engagement, making it a popular choice for researchers seeking a large and varied sample for their studies.
3. Qualtrics Panel: Qualtrics, a leading provider of online survey software, also offers a proprietary research panel called Qualtrics Panel. With a global panel of over 25 million participants, Qualtrics Panel provides access to a wide range of demographics and geographies. Researchers can customize their surveys based on various targeting options, and Qualtrics also offers advanced survey features, such as branching and skip logic, making it a popular choice for complex research designs.
4. Dynata: Dynata, formerly known as Research Now SSI, is a leading global provider of data and insights for market research and other industries. They operate one of the world’s largest research panels, with millions of participants from over 90 countries. Dynata’s research panel comprises a diverse group of individuals who have voluntarily opted-in to participate in surveys, providing valuable feedback and opinions on a wide range of topics. Dynata’s panel members are recruited through a variety of channels, including online advertising, social media, and partnerships with websites and apps. Panelists are carefully screened to ensure they meet specific demographic and geographic criteria, and their participation is voluntary and incentivized through various means, such as cash rewards, gift cards, or charitable donations. As a research panel, Dynata provides researchers with access to a large and diverse sample of participants, making it a valuable resource for conducting market research studies, academic research, and other data-driven initiatives. Dynata offers advanced targeting options, including demographics, interests, and behaviors, allowing researchers to customize their surveys and collect data from specific populations.
5. Lucid: Lucid is a leading programmatic sample provider that operates the Lucid Marketplace, a large-scale survey panel with millions of participants from various countries. Lucid offers access to a wide range of demographics, including hard-to-reach populations, and provides advanced targeting options, such as behavioral data, location-based targeting, and custom audiences. Lucid also offers a suite of survey research tools, including survey programming, data collection, and data visualization, making it a comprehensive solution for market researchers and academic researchers alike.

Research survey panels are valuable resources for researchers looking to collect data from diverse and representative samples of participants. The top 5 research survey panels mentioned above, including SurveyMonkey Audience, Toluna, Qualtrics Panel, Dynata, and Lucid, are recognized for their size, reach, and quality of data, and are popular choices among researchers conducting market research and academic studies. However, it’s important to carefully consider the specific needs and requirements of your research project when selecting a survey panel, and to be mindful of potential limitations and biases associated with online panel research.