Do you provide participant recruitment?

Yes. Our in-house <a href="https://touchstoneresearch.com/recruitment-fieldwork/">market research recruitment team</a> rigorously screens participants for high-quality, reliable respondents in every qualitative research project.

Qualitative Research Agency Services

Q: What does a qualitative research agency do?

A qualitative research agency designs and conducts studies to uncover in-depth insights about people’s motivations, behaviors, and perceptions. This includes research design, participant recruitment, moderation, analysis, and reporting.

From focus groups to UX research, we help brands uncover the “why” behind consumer behavior—turning deep qualitative insights into strategies that work.

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Qualitative Research Agency Services Overview

Qualitative Research Agency Services & Expertise

Comprehensive Qualitative Market Research: As one of the most experienced qualitative research agencies, we offer both online and in-person studies tailored to your audience and objectives.
Full-Service & Flexible Support: Whether you need a complete project from start to finish or targeted support, our qualitative market research company adapts to your needs, budget, and timelines. We integrate seamlessly with your internal team, ensuring strategic alignment, transparent communication, and consistent quality throughout your study.
Expert Moderation Across Industries: Our team includes specialized moderators for every audience, from youth and Gen Z to B2B professionals, ensuring conversations that engage and uncover what matters most.
In-House Recruitment Excellence: Our internal market research recruitment team rigorously screens and manages participants to ensure high-quality, reliable respondents for impactful qualitative research.
Advanced Research Technologies: We use proprietary and industry-leading tools to enhance qualitative methods and uncover deeper, more actionable insights.
Global Reach, Local Expertise: Conduct qualitative research with confidence across the U.S. and in 60+ countries worldwide, supported by in-market moderators and multilingual capabilities.

Qualitative Research Methodologies

As a full-service qualitative research agency, we employ a wide range of proven methodologies to uncover rich insights tailored to your audience and objectives.

In-Depth Interviews (IDIs)

Unlock deep insights and dig into your customers’ thoughts with our In-Depth Interviews (IDIs).

Conducted online or in-person, these one-on-one sessions create a confidential environment for participants to discuss their experiences and motivations.

IDIs provide detailed, nuanced information, ideal for exploring complex issues, understanding customer journeys, and identifying subtle factors that influence decision-making.

UX Research

Enhance user satisfaction and product usability through our comprehensive qualitative usability research agency services.

Using methodologies like usability testing, journey mapping, and user interviews, we analyze how users interact with your products.

By identifying pain points and opportunities for improvement, our qualitative user research agency helps you create intuitive and enjoyable user experiences that increase engagement, satisfaction, and loyalty.

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Focus Groups

Gain valuable perspectives with our Focus Groups, available both in-person and online.

These sessions bring together diverse participants to discuss, collaborate, and provide feedback on your products or services.

Facilitated by experienced moderators, Focus Groups generate rich qualitative data, uncovering new insights, validating and generating ideas, and exploring your market from various angles.

Pop Up Communities

Get quick, actionable insights directly from your audience.

Whether you need to test new concepts, gauge consumer reactions, or gather feedback on marketing materials, these short-term online communities offer a versatile platform for in-depth qualitative research.

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Insight Communities

Foster deeper connections with your target audience through our Insight Communities.

This dedicated online platform allows for continuous engagement and feedback, providing real-time insights into consumer behaviors and preferences.

By integrating qualitative and quantitative methods, we facilitate in-depth discussions, polls, surveys, media uploads, and more. This multi-dimensional approach delivers rich, actionable insights, enabling you to stay connected to your audience’s evolving needs and make informed strategic decisions.

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Diary & Ethnographic Studies

Understand your consumers’ lives with our Diary & Ethnographic Studies.

Participants document their daily interactions with products or services through detailed diary entries, photos, videos, and more.

This immersive approach provides deep contextual insights into their habits, preferences, and unmet needs, revealing key factors influencing behavior.

Online Discussion Boards

Engage with your customers dynamically using our Discussion Boards.

These private forums facilitate organic conversations where participants share opinions and experiences.

Guided by skilled moderators, these boards uncover valuable insights, helping you understand customer sentiments and identify areas for improvement.

UX Rolling Research Programs

Stay ahead of market shifts with our Rolling Research UX Programs.

These ongoing, regularly scheduled sessions address a wide range of questions efficiently and quickly.

Tailored to your needs, they provide continuous insights on both usability and broader market issues, helping you stay responsive and adaptive with up-to-date, actionable insights.

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Shop-Alongs

Understand and transform the way your customers shop.

Whether conducted in-person or virtually, get an unparalleled look into the minds of your consumers as they navigate store aisles or websites, make purchasing decisions, and react to product placements.

With shop-alongs, you’ll gain the knowledge you need to create a shopping experience that not only meets but exceeds your customer expectations.

Other Methodologies

We also support additional qualitative research methodologies, including:

Hybrid Studies
In-the-Moment Research
In-Home Ethnographies
Live Chats
Taste Tests
Parent/Child Pairs

Friendship Groups
Family Studies
Concept Testing
Product Testing
Content Testing
Trend Research
And More!

Qualitative Market Research Agency Services

Our qualitative market research agency services are designed to deliver the insights you need—combining proven methodologies, expert moderation, and high-quality recruitment to ensure reliable results.

Ideation/Design Consulting
Participant Screening and
Recruitment
Project Setup and Management
Facility Booking and Coordination
Discussion Guide Development
Moderation

Translation and Localization
Transcription
Reporting and Analysis
Cross-Market Analysis
Video Highlight Reel
Development
Incentive Distribution

Qualitative Research Agency FAQs

Looking for answers about our qualitative research services? Below are some of the most common questions we receive as a trusted qualitative research agency—covering everything from participant recruitment and methods to the audiences and industries we support.

What does a qualitative research agency do?

A qualitative research agency designs and conducts studies to uncover in-depth insights about people’s motivations, behaviors, and perceptions. This includes research design, participant recruitment, moderation, analysis, and reporting.

What makes Touchstone different from other qualitative research agencies?

We combine 30+ years of experience with in-house recruitment, expert moderation, and advanced research technology—offering both online and in-person qualitative research services tailored to your audience.

What types of qualitative research do you offer?

We conduct focus groups, in-depth interviews (IDIs), ethnographic studies, diary studies, insight communities, discussion boards, shop-alongs, and other custom methodologies.

What are the benefits of qualitative research?

Qualitative research provides deeper understanding of customer motivations, identifies emerging trends, uncovers unmet needs, and informs strategy with rich, contextual insights.

Do you provide participant recruitment?

Yes. Our in-house market research recruitment team rigorously screens participants for high-quality, reliable respondents in every qualitative research project.

Can you manage international qualitative research?

Absolutely. We conduct studies in the U.S. and 60+ countries, with in-market moderators and multilingual capabilities to ensure cultural relevance.

Audiences We Serve Through Qualitative Research Agency

We recruit and engage a diverse range of demographic audiences for qualitative research—from kids and teens to educators, creators, and multicultural communities. Our global reach ensures you connect with the right participants, wherever they are.

Kids / Gen Alpha

Teens

Young Adults /
Gen Z

Adults & Parents

Educators

Creators & Influencers

Generative AI

VR / AR

Multicultural

And More!

Industries We Support as a Qualitative Research Agency

Our qualitative research agency partners with organizations across a wide range of industries—from consumer goods and technology to healthcare, education, media & entertainment and financial services. We customize our approach to meet the unique needs of each sector.

Technology
Media & Entertainment
Youth & Family
Education
Consumer Packaged Goods

Toys & Gaming
Sports, Wellness, & Fitness
Food, Beverage, & Restaurant
Retail & Apparel
Healthcare

Trusted Qualitative Research Agency for Top Global Brands

What Clients Say About Our Qualitative Research Agency

We have done quite a few Quant and Qual research projects with Touchstone. They are always extremely responsive, flexible, and provide great recommendations on how to get the most out of our research. We are a small/medium sized company that doesn’t always get the best support when working with research firms due to our size; however, Touchstone always treats us like a very valued customer. They routinely have the quickest turnaround time and provide a lot of value for the cost when it comes to the different research projects we are looking to execute. I would highly recommend working with Touchstone on your future research projects.

Director, Product Marketing & eComm
Food & Beverage Company
Most importantly, the moderator built rapport with participants, had a keen eye and sense of the body language and behavior of the participants. This allowed her to dynamically ask follow up questions or skip sections where appropriate…Overall, I am very happy with their service and will use them again.

President
Technology Company
Along with being flexible in our partnership model, Touchstone has supported this effort by offering a dedicated team that continues to learn about our unique product and business needs and provides quick turnaround for recruitment, facilitation, and topline reports. Our main facilitator, is also wonderful at building rapport and testing with a younger audience, which is incredibly helpful in the education sector.

Senior Digital Product Manager
Ed-Tech Company