Qualitative research in U.S. politics faces unique challenges in an era of hyper-partisanship. Experts Dave Metz and Lori Weigel explore how polarization impacts voter engagement, recruitment, and honest dialogue—and share strategies researchers can use to navigate bias, build trust, and uncover authentic insights that inform effective campaign messaging. […]
Margaret Watts Romney, author of Speakership is Leadership, takes you on a journey to uncover the truth behind your “speakership,” which goes beyond public speaking to embrace a holistic approach, as you guide others with your words. In the book, she describes the tools and insights required for speakership, including how to prepare for public speaking and how to understand your voice and body and the signals they give during moments of speakership. […]
Synthetic data is moving from buzzword to practical helper for qual. This article demystifies what it is (and isn’t), distinguishes spreadsheet-style synthetic datasets from narrative synthetic personas, and shows when to use each—screeners, guide tests, privacy-safe storytelling, and bridging gaps between qual/quant—without replacing live human voices. You’ll get starter use cases, guardrails (seed quality, labeling, sanity checks), a beginner’s playbook, and hybrid workflows so synthetic data lightens the load while real conversations do the delicate listening. […]
This article reviews How to Make People Buy (2024) by Thomas Ramsøy, CEO of Neurons Inc., which challenges marketers to move beyond attention alone and master his 4-Power Model: attention, emotions, understanding, and memory. Using famous campaigns like Sony Bravia’s bouncing balls, Ramsøy shows how even award-winning ads can fail if the brand isn’t at the heart of the story. He shares neuroscience-based tips—logo placement, eye-guiding contrasts, simplifying visuals, embedding key messages—to create ads that capture attention and drive memory. While the author is skeptical of metaphorical advertising, the article argues effective metaphors can still fuel some of the most iconic campaigns. […]
By Jeff Hecker QRCA President | QRCA Principal, Athena Brand Wisdom Toronto, Ontario, Canada | jeff.hecker@athenabrand.com […]
Zoë Billington speaks with Samara Bay, author of Permission to Speak, on rethinking the traditional narratives of public speaking and power. She discusses how authenticity, personal voice stories, and emotional engagement can transform how we, as researchers and business leaders, communicate effectively. […]
This personal essay chronicles a qualitative researcher’s pivotal moment in embracing AI moderation. What began as fear—a client’s unexpected request for AI-led IDIs—transformed into curiosity and confidence through hands-on exploration of AI platforms. The article outlines where AI moderation works (structured, low-emotion contexts; large sample sizes; hybrid models) and where human moderators remain indispensable (emotionally nuanced, culturally complex conversations). It also shares practical hybrid use cases, key questions for evaluating AI platforms, and a call for moderators to evolve from “resisters” to “meaning makers” who blend human intuition with AI’s efficiency to serve clients better. […]
Germany—long a symbol of prosperity—is showing signs of a subtle “poverty creep.” Growth has stalled, infrastructure is crumbling, consumer confidence is low, and once-admired cultural virtues are flipping into inhibitors. This article examines five such shifts—eco-idealism turning into guilt, consensus stifling individuality, perfectionism leading to fatalism, rule-following morphing into red-tape overload, and prudence mutating into missed opportunities—and offers suggestions for marketers and researchers on how to re-inject energy, empathy, and rule-breaking creativity to help loosen consumers’ purse strings and reawaken possibility. […]
Conducting research with seriously ill patients demands more than solid methodology—it requires empathy, flexibility, and respect. Drawing from emotional insights studies by PJ Quinn, Inc., this article outlines practical strategies for qualitative researchers working with chronically or life-threateningly ill participants. From recruitment and discussion-guide design to projective techniques like “Magic Wand” and “Letter to Younger Self,” it shows how to elicit authentic patient voices without causing undue distress. Moderators will learn how to prepare, protect participant well-being, manage their own emotional resilience, and deliver insights that honor patient experiences while informing healthcare decisions. […]
Join QRCA February 2–5, 2026 in San Antonio for an unforgettable annual conference at the Westin San Antonio North. This year’s location offers easy access to the Texas Hill Country and downtown’s blend of cowboy heritage and vibrant Mexican culture. Explore historic missions, lively markets, authentic cuisine, and the River Walk while connecting with fellow researchers. From rodeos and Western art to Tex-Mex feasts and German Hill Country traditions, San Antonio is the perfect backdrop for learning, networking, and a uniquely Texas experience. […]
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