Telephone Interviewing (CATI): Telephone interviewing is a primary tool for quick and effective collection of high volumes of data. Horizon Research International adds value to this method with over 55 computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) stations used by trained, professional interviewers. The CATI system enables increased interviewing speed and accuracy, and maximizes the yield from any sample list. The most recent version of "Query" software by ACS is used for CATI to handle all research designs that involve complex skip patterns or piping. Query's advanced data management enables interviewing results to be monitored and tallied instantly. This allows Horizon Research International to provide fast and accurate topline results reporting prior to in-depth tabulations and analysis.  The digital telephone system offers our clients the opportunity to listen in to the interviewing from the comfort of their own offices. Once the interviewing is completed, the analysis is conducted using Quantum, WinCross, and SPSS software, leaders in the market research industry for statistical tabulations. Web-Based Interviewing: Horizon Research International offers a wide array of customized tools for our clients to collect data over the Internet. Please read about the Internet data collection experience in our web-based interviewing section. Mail Surveys: Mail out surveying offers a highly cost-efficient method of gathering data from large populations. It also allows for thoughtful responses to be indicated on a visually appealing questionnaire at the respondent's choice of time. To encourage participation, each research instrument is always mailed with a personalized cover letter and a postage-paid return envelope addressed to Horizon Research International. Sensory Tests: The highly subjective nature of "what tastes good and why" varies greatly among all individuals. Horizon Research can help reduce risks involved in rolling out new food products by objectively quantifying taste, texture, color, and presentation. Results of our taste tests have helped maximize appeal of food products for many national chain restaurants. Our panel of over 10,000 consumers can be used by companies in the food and beverage industry to reduce the product development time and ensure the highest quality of sensory research. Horizon Research International's professionals manage the full aspect of sensory research-from respondent recruitment to administering of the tests and presentation of findings. Mystery Shops:Objective observation of how employees and competitors' employees interact with customers can provide valuable insights on ways to improve in-house training and procedures that maximize customer satisfaction. Our trained mystery shoppers are able to evaluate employee performance in public places and retail settings via phone or in-person. Customized "scripts" are used by mystery shoppers to create or help control any transaction scenario that must be evaluated. On-Site Location Interviewing:Consumer intercepts at store locations or events is a great way to investigate a target consumer's experiences or reactions while it is fresh in their minds. Horizon Research International's field interviewers have extensive experience with this technique. Interviews can be conducted using laptop computers to simplify complex questionnaire administration, ensure accuracy of data, and display video and sound.