Three Essential Questions for Better Music Testing
Selecting a music testing company can feel overwhelming. With so many options
available, it’s crucial to ask the right questions to ensure you’re making a decision that
delivers accurate, actionable insights. Our goal at Advantage Music Research is to
make your music testing process simple for a fair price. Here are three key questions
every radio station should ask before partnering with a music testing company.
1. How Are Study Participants Recruited?
Recruitment methods can make or break the quality of your music test. Effective recruitment ensures that your study isn’t limited to just one type of participant – for
example, those reachable only through a specific method like email or social media.
At Advantage Music Research, we employ a multi-methodological recruitment approach allowing us to reach respondents from landlines, mobile phones and online sampling panels. By incorporating all different recruitment methods, Advantage Music Research
ensures a quick and comprehensive representation of your target listeners. A diverse recruitment strategy gives radio stations the confidence that their audience is accurately represented and the very best data to build a playlist from.
2. What Grade of Sample Is Being Used?
Not all samples are created equally. Understanding the different grades of samples can
help you identify quality in music research:
- “A” Sample: These respondents are highly vetted. They’ve opted in or been recruited via telephone, with extensive profiles and reliable histories.
- “B” Sample: Similar to “A” sample respondents, these participants have opted in but may have less historical data. Over time, as they engage more, they transition into “A” sample respondents.
- “C” Sample: These participants are typically newer and recruited online. They have limited information on record and tend to provide lower response rates.
- “D” Sample: The lowest quality, “D” sample respondents are often sourced from purchased email lists and offer very limited, unreliable data.
AMR prioritizes “A” and “B” samples to ensure data quality. “C” samples are only used
in difficult markets or hard-to-reach demographics, and even then, rigorous screening
ensures high standards. “D” samples are never used.
3. How Is Quality Maintained in Online Testing?
Online music testing offers convenience for respondents, allowing them to participate
from any location at their own pace. But ensuring data integrity in an online format requires robust quality controls through technology and human interaction.
Advantage Music Research’s processes include:
- Prescreening Respondents: Before tests begin, participant profiles are reviewed to ensure their data matches recruitment information with verification for station listenership
- Hook Randomization: Song hooks are presented in randomized order to eliminate bias from sequential ratings.
- Speed Controls: To prevent rushed responses, embedded safeguards ensure participants engage thoughtfully with the test material and prevent speeders from completing the survey
- Dummy Hooks: Any respondent that fails to follow our Dummy Hook instructions is immediately terminated from the study, ensuring that all respondents are paying close attention.
Referrals: We never accept referrals for music tests.
Asking the right questions is the first step toward smarter music testing and smarter
programming. At Advantage Music Research, we’re committed to transparency, quality, and giving you the tools to build a playlist that resonates.
Contact Deena Hollander at DeenaHollander@AdvantageMusicResearch.com to
learn more.