I am a qualitative research consultant and work with companies, hospitals, government agencies, and non-profits.  I specialize in sensitive, difficult-to-talk-about, topics that require a uniquely-qualified researcher who is perceptive, mature, and non-judgmental, yet who can also offer both business acumen as well as psychological insight.  

I have conducted focus groups and interviews in areas that include:

·        New product development 

·        Functional and technical requirements of prospective product users 

·        Product and service positioning

·        Brand awareness and competitive analysis

·        Decision-making processes

·        Product and service future directions

·        Advertising concept testing

·        Website concept development and usability testing 

·        I have conducted focus groups and interviews with Fortune 100 executives, IT and non-IT directors from large and small companies, functional department heads, development staff, business partners/resellers, and consumers. 

·        My extensive background in conducting focus groups and interviews with consumers includes working with pharmaceutical companies and hospitals.  I am hired by clients in this industry because I have an empathic approach that has been especially effective in talking about sensitive topics such as HIV and cancer, sexual dysfunction, and weight loss.  I am hired by clients who need a researcher who can work with consumers across diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds, as well as physicians, nurses, caregivers, administrators, executives, and case managers. 

·        I conduct Website usability testing, based on a style that I developed at the onset of the dot-com boom, in 1997, and have taught to other researchers.  I have conducted usability sessions for companies ranging in size from start-ups to Fortune 100 companies, across industries and product categories, with consumers and professionals.  I have worked at all phases of Website development, from initial concept exploration of new sites through ongoing revisions to established sites. 

·        I am thoroughly trained in the theory and practice of qualitative research, including ideation and projective techniques.  My Ph.D. dissertation was based on qualitative methodology. 

·        My experience and psychological insights are reflected in highly detailed yet fully actionable reports written in an accessible style that is tailored to the research audience.  My report format is adaptable to individual client needs. 

·        I have taught research methods at the college level.