Key Points for Successful Domestic & International Research

To conduct effective research both overseas and domestically, it is essential to choose the right methodology, carefully select participants, localize questionnaires, and ensure advanced foreign-language and intercultural communication skills. Below, we explain the key points you should keep in mind to ensure successful research outcomes.

Five Key Points for Successful On-Site Research

Identifying and Selecting the Appropriate Research Method

When conducting overseas research, online desk research is indispensable. However, the depth and freshness of the information obtained by this method depend heavily on the country’s internet penetration rate and level of information disclosure. In many countries, telephone surveys or offline research can be more effective.

AtGlobal’s standard package includes both online desk research and telephone research. We propose the optimal method based on the conditions of the target country and your research objectives.

Identifying and Selecting the Right Research Participants

Even in domestic research, results can vary depending on the respondents’ region or economic status; overseas, this tendency is even more pronounced. Especially in marketing research, multi-dimensional indicators such as SES (Social Economic Status) and SEC (Social Economic Class)—including factors like occupation, education level, and ethnicity—must be considered to select the right participants.

Localizing Questionnaires for the Target Country

A questionnaire designed for Japanese respondents cannot always be directly translated and applied to other countries. For example, with the global spread of diversity awareness, even a simple item like “gender” may require a third option—or more. (For instance, the U.S. version of Facebook allows users to choose from over 50 gender options.) To create effective questionnaires, it is necessary to accurately understand local realities and adapt survey items accordingly.

Ensuring Advanced Foreign Language Communication and Research Skills

When translating a questionnaire into the target language, translators must accurately convey not just the literal meaning but also the nuance of each item. Similarly, in legal research, it is crucial to locate all relevant information written in foreign languages, translate it precisely into Japanese, and prepare an accurate report. Insufficient reading comprehension or translation errors could undermine the validity of the entire research.

Setting an Appropriate Schedule

In legal research, for example, contacting government agencies for hearings often requires repeated follow-ups before reaching the right official. In Asia, unlike Japan, many countries celebrate the Lunar New Year, during which people may take a week or more off in addition to year-end holidays. Considering such factors, it is important to estimate longer timelines compared to similar research conducted domestically.