Qualitative Research Company Delivering Expert Insights & Consulting

UX & Usability Research

Bridge the gap between design and experience. Using qualitative usability testing and user interviews, we evaluate how people navigate products, interfaces, and digital journeys (journey mapping) uncovering opportunities to improve ease, engagement, and satisfaction.

Focus Groups

Collaborative sessions that reveal group dynamics, attitudes, and perceptions. Available online or in person, our focus groups are led by expert moderators who guide conversation to uncover what motivates audiences and drives decisions.

Read our Focus Group Moderator Guide: How to Handle Tough Participants Like a Pro

Insight Communities & Pop-Up Communities

Connect with your audience through community-based qualitative research programs.

Pop-Up Communities: Short-term, agile forums ideal for quick-turn feedback, concept testing, or campaign evaluation.

Insight Communities: Long-term, dedicated spaces for continuous engagement that reveal evolving opinions, behaviors, and attitudes.

Together, these community approaches help brands stay closely connected to their consumers and test ideas with speed and confidence.

Online Qualitative Research

Engage participants anywhere through digital platforms for bulletin boards, live chats, and virtual discussions. Our online qualitative research services make it easy to connect with global audiences, track sentiment, and gather insights efficiently.

Diary Studies & Mobile Ethnography

Capture authentic, in-the-moment behavior through participant-submitted photos, videos, and reflections. This method brings daily habits and real-world contexts to life, revealing the “why” behind product use, preferences, and purchase decisions.

Hybrid Qualitative & Quantitative Studies

Blend the best of both worlds with studies that integrate qualitative depth and quantitative validation. Our hybrid research services combine methodologies such as in-depth interviews, focus groups, or diary studies with surveys and analytics, delivering insights that are both emotionally resonant and statistically sound. Touchstone’s hybrid designs help teams move from exploration to validation within a single, cohesive project.

Global Qualitative Studies

As a global qualitative research company, Touchstone Research conducts studies in over 60 markets, providing local moderation, cultural expertise, and multilingual analysis. We ensure every project delivers culturally relevant, accurate, and actionable results.

Check out our blog article Multi-Market Qualitative Research: 6 Best Practices for Global Studies

Shop-Alongs & Shopper Journey Research

Observe real purchasing behavior in context, in stores, online, or hybrid environments. Our qualitative research agency conducts shop-alongs to uncover how consumers browse, compare, and make purchase decisions. These insights inform packaging, merchandising, UX, and marketing strategies that drive conversion and brand loyalty.

Check out our blog post: The Benefits of In-Person Shop-Alongs

Concept, Product & Content Testing

Explore ideas, prototypes, and creative materials directly with your audience. Our qualitative research company conducts testing sessions to evaluate concept clarity, product usability, and message resonance across categories — from media and entertainment to CPG. For food and beverage clients, we also facilitate taste testing and sensory research to capture real-time reactions and preferences that guide product refinement before launch.

Testing can be conducted through Touchstone’s Secure Content Testing (SCT) environments, ensuring full IP protection for pre-release products, creative assets, and confidential materials — giving brands the confidence to test sensitive concepts safely and effectively.