--- title: Understanding Online Research Panels description: Understanding online research panels is an essential step in getting to your target consumers and maximizing sales. image: https://www.d8aspring.com/hubfs/Blog_Images/ORP_01.jpg --- [![Go to Home](https://www.d8aspring.com/hubfs/dataSpring/common/dataSpring-logo.svg "Go to Home")](https://www.d8aspring.com/) - About [About dataSpring](https://www.d8aspring.com/company) Get to know your Asian panel insights provider. [Meet the Team](https://www.d8aspring.com/team) We aspire to be visionary, passionate, and relentless drivers of dataSpring values. [Careers](https://www.d8aspring.com/careers) See our current openings and let’s build great things together! [Visit Us](https://www.d8aspring.com/visit-us) Check out our offices in key cities across Asia. - Products dataSpring Panels [Asian Sample](https://www.d8aspring.com/asian-sample) We’re ready to serve your research needs with our expansive coverage in Asia. [Panel Sources](https://www.d8aspring.com/panel-sources) Our secure data comes from proprietary panels, API integration, and third-party partners. [Panel Quality](https://www.d8aspring.com/panel-quality) Our industry-leading Quality Check System ensures data validity and valuable insights. [Operations](https://www.d8aspring.com/operations) Enjoy convenient 24/7 support from our highly-capable Springers who speak your language. [Get Our Panel Book](https://www.d8aspring.com/download-panel-book) Solutions [Products](https://www.d8aspring.com/products) Complete your requirements with our reliable platforms. [Services](https://www.d8aspring.com/services) We provided solutions for every stage of your projects. [Mobile Platform](https://www.d8aspring.com/mobile-platform) Draw in-the-moment insights from Asian mobile consumers with our all-in-one platform. [Check our mobile capabilities](https://www.d8aspring.com/download-mobile-capabilities) - Resources Get started [Understanding Online Research Panels](https://www.d8aspring.com/understanding-online-research-panels) [Mobile Research Essentials](https://www.d8aspring.com/mobile-research-essentials) [Downloadable Media](https://www.d8aspring.com/resources) [Newsletter](https://www.d8aspring.com/newsletter) [Press Releases](https://www.d8aspring.com/press-release) Resources [Blogs](https://www.d8aspring.com/blog) Read more on topics about online research solutions to get you started. [Eye On Asia](https://www.d8aspring.com/eye-on-asia) Check out the latest trends in Asia and learn valuable local insights. [dS Insights](https://www.d8aspring.com/ds-insights) Relevant and beneficial market research content, updated regularly. [Eye On Asia Podcast](https://www.d8aspring.com/eye-on-asia-podcast) Listen to the latest market research news and trends in Asia in dataSpring's monthly podcast. リソース [ブログ](https://www.d8aspring.com/ja/blog) マーケティングリサーチやアジア諸国の情報について [Eye On Asia](https://www.d8aspring.com/ja/eye-on-asia) アジアの最新トレンドをチェックして、現地の貴重な情報を知ることができます。 [最新のインサイト情報](https://www.d8aspring.com/ds-insights) アジア地域のパネルについては、毎月実施される自主調査より詳しい情報をご確認いただけます。 [Eye On Asia Podcast](https://www.d8aspring.com/eye-on-asia-podcast) Eye On Asia Podcastにて、最新のアジアのマーケティングリサーチに関するニュースやトレンドを聞くことができます。 - [Ask dataSpring](https://www.d8aspring.com/help) - [Contact Us ](https://www.d8aspring.com/contact) [![dataSpring](https://www.d8aspring.com/hubfs/dataSpring/common/dataSpring-logo.svg)](https://www.d8aspring.com/) - About - [About dataSpring](https://www.d8aspring.com/company) - [Meet the Team](https://www.d8aspring.com/team) - [Careers](https://www.d8aspring.com/careers) - [Visit Us](https://www.d8aspring.com/visit-us) - Products - [Asian Sample](https://www.d8aspring.com/asian-sample) - [Panel Sources](https://www.d8aspring.com/panel-sources) - [Panel Quality](https://www.d8aspring.com/panel-quality) - [Operations](https://www.d8aspring.com/operations) - [Products](https://www.d8aspring.com/products) - [Services](https://www.d8aspring.com/services) - [Mobile Platform](https://www.d8aspring.com/mobile-platform) - Resources - [Understanding Online Research Panels](https://www.d8aspring.com/understanding-online-research-panels) - [Mobile Research Essentials](https://www.d8aspring.com/mobile-research-essentials) - [Blogs](https://www.d8aspring.com/blog) - [Eye On Asia](https://www.d8aspring.com/eye-on-asia) - [dS Insights](https://www.d8aspring.com/ds-insights) - [Eye On Asia Podcast](https://www.d8aspring.com/eye-on-asia-podcast) - [Downloadable Media](https://www.d8aspring.com/resources) - [Newsletter](https://www.d8aspring.com/newsletter) - [Press Releases](https://www.d8aspring.com/press-release) - Resources - [オンラインパネルについて](https://www.d8aspring.com/understanding-online-research-panels) - [モバイルリサーチの必要性について](https://www.d8aspring.com/mobile-research-essentials) - [ブログ](https://www.d8aspring.com/ja/blog) - [Eye On Asia](https://www.d8aspring.com/ja/eye-on-asia) - [最新のインサイト情報](https://www.d8aspring.com/ds-insights) - [Eye On Asia Podcast](https://www.d8aspring.com/eye-on-asia-podcast) - [ダウンロード](https://www.d8aspring.com/resources) - [ニュースレター](https://www.d8aspring.com/newsletter) - [プレスリリース](https://www.d8aspring.com/press-release) - [Ask dataSpring](https://www.d8aspring.com/help) [Contact Us](https://www.d8aspring.com/contact) [Home](https://www.d8aspring.com/)Resources[Blog](https://www.d8aspring.com/blog) # Blog Relevant and beneficial market research content, updated regularly. # Understanding Online Research Panels Written by [Marjorie Yoro](https://www.d8aspring.com/blog/author/marjorie-yoro) | Est. reading time: 4 minute(s) ![Understanding Online Research Panels](https://www.d8aspring.com/hs-fs/hubfs/20160517-understanding-online-research-panels-Photo.jpg.jpg?width=640&name=20160517-understanding-online-research-panels-Photo.jpg.jpg) A new project lands on your desk. Flipping through the brief, three things immediately become clear: 1. You need to find out the desires and preferences of your client's target audience. 2. You need it yesterday. 3. You need it cheap. Using online research panels is a quick and cost-effective way to conduct research. Since more and more of our daily lives are spent on the internet, it makes sense to convert a paper-and-pen questionnaire to an online survey and reach hundreds of people instantly. But, is online research the right method for your study? [What are its pros and cons](https://www.d8aspring.com/blog/the-pros-and-cons-of-online-research-panels)? To answer these questions, we first have to understand what an online research panel is.   # What is an Online Research Panel? > *An online research panel is a group of people sharing similar traits, brought together to answer an online survey about a particular research topic for a commensurate incentive.* Let’s break that down: ### 1. *A group of people sharing similar traits...* ![A group of people sharing similar traits](https://www.d8aspring.com/hs-fs/hubfs/20160517-understanding-online-research-panels-Photo-2.jpg.jpg?width=640&name=20160517-understanding-online-research-panels-Photo-2.jpg.jpg) If you want to learn something about a specific topic, you don’t want to hear from just anyone. You want to hear from a specific person. Research panels are [verified, profiled](https://www.d8aspring.com/blog/the-importance-of-survey-panel-verification), and [screened for duplicates](https://www.d8aspring.com/blog/how-does-dataspring-avoid-respondent-duplication) before they can qualify for a particular study. Panelists provide their personal information to online panel firms like ours. They are then profiled under certain categories like gender, income, and profession. In dataSpring, we profile for [125+ variables](https://www.d8aspring.com/asian-sample/coverage-and-profile). From there, online panel firms send panelists surveys that are developed for that category. For a B2C study, you will likely need people of a specific demographic or role, like Grocery Decision-makers for food studies or Frequent Travelers for travel studies. For a B2B study, you will need to speak to people of a specific profession or industry, such as IT Decision-makers or Business Decision-makers. For a Healthcare study, you will want to hear from doctors of a specific specialty or patients with a specific ailment, i.e. Oncologists and Asthma patients.   ### 2. *... online survey about a particular research topic...* ![Online Survey about a particular research topic](https://www.d8aspring.com/hs-fs/hubfs/20160517-understanding-online-research-panels-Photo-3.jpg.jpg?width=320&name=20160517-understanding-online-research-panels-Photo-3.jpg.jpg) There are different kinds of research methodologies, each with their own set of pros and cons. Before conducting an online survey, it’s important to understand the limitations of the method and whether it’s the right fit for your study. For instance, for a person to answer an online survey, that person needs to be present on the internet. It will be easier to conduct an online survey in a country like [South Korea](https://www.d8aspring.com/eye-on-asia/all-about-datasprings-korea-research-panels) where 85% of the population are internet users, as opposed to conducting the same survey in Myanmar where only 1.2% of the population is online. Familiarize yourself with [basic online market research terms](https://www.d8aspring.com/blog/8-online-survey-terms-consultants-need-to-know) and the [steps in conducting research online](https://www.d8aspring.com/fieldwork-suite/steps/). ### 3. *... for a commensurate incentive...* ![For a commensurate incentive](https://www.d8aspring.com/hs-fs/hubfs/20160517-understanding-online-research-panels-Photo-4.jpg.jpg?width=320&name=20160517-understanding-online-research-panels-Photo-4.jpg.jpg) To motivate panelists to answer a survey, online panel companies award incentives in the form of points which can be converted to cash, gift certificates, and the like. The amount of the incentive depends on many factors, such as the length of the survey (five minutes vs. 60 minutes) or the type of survey (B2C vs. B2B).   # To Sum Things Up These three characteristics of online research panels are important to consider when deciding to conduct your research online.  Here are the profiles of some of the Asian online research panels that dataSpring extensively curated over the years: - [Japan](https://www.d8aspring.com/eye-on-asia/all-about-datasprings-japan-research-panels) - [Korea](https://www.d8aspring.com/eye-on-asia/all-about-datasprings-korea-research-panels) - [China](https://www.d8aspring.com/eye-on-asia/datasprings-robust-china-research-panel) - [Hong Kong](https://www.d8aspring.com/eye-on-asia/all-about-datasprings-hong-kong-research-panels) - [Singapore](https://www.d8aspring.com/eye-on-asia/all-about-datasprings-singapore-research-panels) - [Philippines](https://www.d8aspring.com/eye-on-asia/all-about-datasprings-philippines-research-panels) - [Thailand](https://www.d8aspring.com/eye-on-asia/all-about-datasprings-thailand-research-panels) - [Taiwan](https://www.d8aspring.com/eye-on-asia/all-about-datasprings-taiwan-research-panels) - [Indonesia](https://www.d8aspring.com/eye-on-asia/all-about-datasprings-indonesia-research-panels) - [Vietnam](https://www.d8aspring.com/eye-on-asia/all-about-datasprings-vietnam-research-panels) - [Malaysia](https://www.d8aspring.com/eye-on-asia/all-about-datasprings-malaysia-research-panels) If you are planning to conduct studies in the Asian region, you can try our [Free IR Check page](https://www.d8aspring.com/eye-on-asia/free-offer-doing-research-in-asia-we-have-you-covered) to get you started. Online research panels have become one of the most important tools of the modern market researcher, and it can yield valuable insights and results if used properly. To know more about online research panels, especially in the Asian region, [check out our Understanding Online Research Panels page](https://www.d8aspring.com/understanding-online-research-panels).   ### Helpful Resources: - [Top 20 Countries with the Highest Number of Internet Users](http://www.internetworldstats.com/top20.htm) - [How Do Online Survey Panels Work?](https://www.surveypolice.com/articles/how-do-online-survey-panels-work) - [10 Free Online Consumer Research Tools](https://www.flexmr.net/blog/marketing-strategy/2015/6/online-consumer-research-tools.aspx) [![Find out what online research panels are](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/421428/d36990c3-f71b-46dd-8923-5d36d6bb66ee.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/421428/d36990c3-f71b-46dd-8923-5d36d6bb66ee) Published May 18, 2016 02:05 PM Topics: [Online Market Research](https://www.d8aspring.com/blog/topic/online-market-research),  [Online Research Panels](https://www.d8aspring.com/blog/topic/online-research-panels) ## Don't forget to share this post! [**](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.d8aspring.com%2Fblog%2Funderstanding-online-research-panels) [**](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.d8aspring.com/blog/understanding-online-research-panels) [**](https://www.twitter.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.d8aspring.com%2Fblog%2Funderstanding-online-research-panels) # Related Articles [The Pros and Cons of Online Research Panels](https://www.d8aspring.com/blog/the-pros-and-cons-of-online-research-panels) In our last post, Understanding Online Research Panels, we talked about what an online research panel is and how it works. Your next step is to figure out if conducting a survey online is the right me... [Read more](https://www.d8aspring.com/blog/the-pros-and-cons-of-online-research-panels) [How To Improve Your Online Surveys with Panel Pr...](https://www.d8aspring.com/blog/how-to-improve-your-online-surveys-with-panel-providers) Panel providers are very useful sources of targeted respondents for your online survey. They have a ready source of panelists, which are regularly maintained and managed so you don’t have to worry abo... [Read more](https://www.d8aspring.com/blog/how-to-improve-your-online-surveys-with-panel-providers) # Contact us anytime 24/7! One of our Springers will be in touch with you within 24-48 hours to follow up on your request. [Contact Us](https://www.d8aspring.com/contact) - [About dataSpring](https://www.d8aspring.com/company) - [Asian Sample](https://www.d8aspring.com/asian-sample) - [Mobile Platform](https://www.d8aspring.com/mobile-platform) - [Services](https://www.d8aspring.com/services) - [Contact Us](https://www.d8aspring.com/contact) # PANEL BOOK ![Thumbnail of the cover of dataSpring Panel Book](https://www.d8aspring.com/hs-fs/hubfs/dataSpring2020/img/footer-panel-book@2x-1.png?width=240&height=172&name=footer-panel-book@2x-1.png "Thumbnail of the cover of dataSpring Panel Book") Check out dataSpring's panel coverage in this downloadable ebook. [![](https://www.d8aspring.com/hubfs/dataSpring2020/img/ic-download.svg)Download Panel Book](https://www.d8aspring.com/download-panel-book) # NEWSLETTER Stay updated on market research trends and get tips on conducting surveys online. # FOLLOW US [![dataSpring Facebook Page](https://www.d8aspring.com/hubfs/dataSpring2020/img/ic-sns-circle-facebook.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/d8aSpring-1489255404720810/) [![dataSpring Twitter Page](https://www.d8aspring.com/hubfs/dataSpring2020/img/ic-sns-circle-twitter.svg)](https://twitter.com/d8aspring) [![dataSpring LinkedIn Page](https://www.d8aspring.com/hubfs/dataSpring2020/img/ic-sns-circle-linkedin.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/d8aspring) - Tokyo **+81 3-5294-5970** - Shanghai **+86 21-5238-7703** - Seoul **+82 2-778-6051** - Manila **+63 2-8899-3862** - Singapore **+65 9001-1137** - Los Angeles **+1 718-404-9260** - London **+44 7724-025-169** [Privacy policy](https://www.d8aspring.com/privacy) · [Terms of use](https://www.d8aspring.com/terms) © 2026 dataSpring Inc. Know today, Power tomorrow [INTAGE GROUP](https://www.intageholdings.co.jp/) ![footer-association-logo_2026@2x](https://www.d8aspring.com/hs-fs/hubfs/footer-association-logo_2026@2x.png?width=600&height=103&name=footer-association-logo_2026@2x.png "footer-association-logo_2026@2x") [**](https://www.d8aspring.com/blog/understanding-online-research-panels#) # NEWSLETTER Stay updated on market research trends and get tips on conducting surveys online. - About Us - [About dataSpring](https://www.d8aspring.com/company) - [Asian Sample](https://www.d8aspring.com/asian-sample) - [Mobile Platform](https://www.d8aspring.com/mobile-platform) - [Services](https://www.d8aspring.com/services) - Our Offices - [Tokyo: +81 3-5294-5970](tel:81352945970) - [Shanghai: +86 21-5238-7703](tel:862152387703) - [Seoul: +82 2-778-6051](tel:8227786051) - [Manila: +63 2-8899-3862](tel:63289624643) - [Singapore: +65 9001-1137](tel:6590011137) - [Los Angeles: +1 718-404-9260](tel:17184049260) - [London: +44 7724-025-169](tel:447724025169) - [Contact Us](https://www.d8aspring.com/contact) [![dataSpring Facebook Page](https://www.d8aspring.com/hubfs/dataSpring2020/img/ic-sns-circle-facebook.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/d8aSpring-1489255404720810/) [![dataSpring Twitter Page](https://www.d8aspring.com/hubfs/dataSpring2020/img/ic-sns-circle-twitter.svg)](https://twitter.com/d8aspring) [![dataSpring LinkedIn Page](https://www.d8aspring.com/hubfs/dataSpring2020/img/ic-sns-circle-linkedin.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/d8aspring) ![footer-association-logo_2026@2x](https://www.d8aspring.com/hs-fs/hubfs/footer-association-logo_2026@2x.png?width=400&height=69&name=footer-association-logo_2026@2x.png "footer-association-logo_2026@2x") © 2026 dataSpring Inc. Know today, Power tomorrow [INTAGE GROUP](https://www.intageholdings.co.jp/) [Privacy policy](https://www.d8aspring.com/privacy) · [Terms of use](https://www.d8aspring.com/terms) [**](https://www.d8aspring.com/blog/understanding-online-research-panels#)