Global Automation Research LLC Research Techniques

Primary Sources

The Experience Interview Process: Global Automation Research LLC uses in-depth, "experience interviews" which permit a probing, incisive discussion and interaction between the interviewer and the respondent. The respondents are selected because of their expertise and experience. This insures that they can provide broad perspectives on appropriate situations in their companies and in the marketplace.

Important aspects of the in-depth, experience interview include contact qualification criteria, subject introduction techniques, the sequence and nature of questions, methods for ranking responses, and discussion procedures. Results from these experience interviews provide insight into attitudes, past practices, and future expectations. Ranking of important, pre-defined issues is also obtained to support the development of specific conclusions sought in the study. Collectively, in the last eleven years, the principals and associates of Global Automation Research LCC have completed well over 1,500 supplier and end-user interviews as part of over 400 proprietary projects.

Secondary Sources

The information from primary sources is augmented with information developed from a search of secondary sources--trade publications, government reports, company information and product brochures/specification sheets. In addition, Global Automation Research LLC reviews its database of nonproprietary information from prior studies that address similar products and markets. Judicious and focused use of secondary sources insures that important existing information is fully utilized in the study analysis and compilation, allows the identification of key individuals and organizations participating in the study subject areas, and supports the most efficient implementation of the primary sources (e.g., helps avoid duplicating existing information, eliminates some known dead-end courses of action, etc.).

Other Research Techniques

While Primary and Secondary sources are the core of our research methods, we often utilize other sources. These alternative methods include: trade show interviews and assessment (who attended, size of booth, personal attending, etc.);

focus groups; and web-based surveys.