What are paid telephone interviews?

Telephone surveys are a quantitative marketing research methodology that involve calling and interviewing a representative sample of people within a geographic area or a targeted market served by a business or organization. ... Conducting the representative telephone interviews (data collection).

Many market research/paid survey companies also offer paid telephone interviews. The researcher will call you and ask you questions about certain topics and want your opinions about it. The interview usually lasts 30 – 60 minutes and they pay quite well!

Telephone interviews are similar to other forms of market research interview, but are carried out over the phone. Telephone interviews fall under two broad categories - tele depths and quantitative interviews.

Market research companies conduct telephone interviews or surveys to determine interest in new products, or measure the customer satisfaction of existing products. They also determine the needs and wants of customers through phone interviews.

Telephones are an effective method for obtaining public opinion because nearly all residents of the UK have access to a telephone. Also, telephone surveys allow for data to be collected in a complete and accurate format at the time of the interview by trained professional interviewers.

The major advantage for market research companies in performing tele depths are that numerous and geographically distinct respondents can be interviewed relatively easily and cheaply - as opposed to the travel involved if interviewing the same respondents face to face. However, the researcher does sacrifice certain elements which are sometimes important, such as the ability to view body language, and the reassurance that a face to face conversation can give if the topic is particularly personal.