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Text Chat Solutions – Boring or Brilliant Design?

Written by itracks Team | Aug 25, 2025 9:01:45 PM

 

Join us as we explore ways for your clients to quickly access a live online solution providing both quant and qual responses and using a working backroom session with cross-functional teams.

 

Questions that came up during the webinar.

Thank you to all who submitted a question.

 

Can the moderator share the results of a quantitative polling question in the group to discuss the results?
 
 

Yes! All polls that are created and responded to during the group can be shared during the session, or analyzed at the conclusion of the group. The reporting output shows both the individualized results from the participants as well as the aggregated results. You can also choose from different questios designs (eg. influenced vs uninfluenced).

Is there any way to avoid “groupthink” or everyone agreeing with dominant participants in the focus group?
 
 

The beauty of a text chat is everyone is answering simultaneously - so answers are posted as they come in - "group think" can then be stimulated by the moderator is needed.

Do you have something that filters the chat by subject/question and dumps into Excel or some other program so easy to sort and analyze?
 
 

The transcripts are available in a number of formats immediately after the group's conclusion. Most researchers use excel to analyze data since they are sortable by a question, participant, topic, etc.

What is the advisable length of a session?
 
 

The length of session is often dictated by the target audience, number of respondents and the research topic. Our clients have found that a group length of 60-90 minutes often provides a great structure to engage the audience. Another consideration is the target demographic. Some clients have found it helpful to use a shorter session length with an older demographic.

Do you have any data from participants who have done both video and text chat about their preference? Any differences among different demos?
 
 

We have seen a number of unique project designs that have shown us some compelling examples of leveraging Text Chat. What our clients have found is that both are highly engaging methods of collecting insights. Some considerations that make Text Chat an appealing alternative to video data collection is the ability to garner more candor and honesty from your audience due to the anonymity the platform provides. With prevalence of SMS and text messaging amongst a younger demographic; our clients have found Text Chat as a great way to engage a more youthful demographic.

Can questions be pre-loaded by the moderator? Can the moderator choose from pre-selected and in the moment (new) questions in real time?
 
 

itracks Text Chat comes with the ability to pre-load a discussion guide, as well as the ability to add questions, topics and polls in-the-moment ("on the fly").

Can respondents participate via SMS text or do they have to log into a web platform?
 
 

itracks Text Chat is a Realtime software product that does not require a download. Due the potential for a high volume of responses and messages from the participants, the product should be used on a desktop or laptop computer.

Can you have two moderators? either two in main room or one additional in the back room?
 
 

Yes, multiple moderators can be in the session at the same time - generally we find that 2 moderators in the main room suffice and adding an additional moderator in the backroom provides assistance with backroom questions.

sorry - i was a few minutes late. who runs the chat? a moderator or is it AI driven?
 
 

A moderator runs the chat but the majority of the planned questions can be pre-programmed into a moderator's guide so that they can be posted with a click of a button.

Could you pls send us this presentation?
 
 

This webinar will be distribiuted to all registrants and can be accessed at (insert link here).

How many participant could be at the same time? could it be from different countries?
 
 

We recommend the number of participants based to the topics to be covered, how in-depth you want to dive. However, n = 40 is plenty for 2 moderators to manage. If there will mostly be polls and concepts to react to - more can be accomodated. Certainly, you could have multiple countries in one text chat, caveats to remember would be: languages need to be the same and time zones should be considered.

Could you pls talk about cost too?
 
 

itracks offers pricing solutions for all user types (short vs long term commitments). You can access our pricing (insert link here) or you can reach out to your Client Account Executive or sales@itracks.com

How do you filter out 'professional respondents" when you recruit them via web?
 
 

We use an innovative prescreening method where participants are asked to answer a video articulation/re-screening question. Cheaters tend to drop out at this point. This also allows you and your client to "meet" your participants before the group starts by accessing the videos beforehand.

What languages can be used in text chat?
 
 

itracks qualitative research products are enabled globally. To see a detailed breakdown of product availability and languages served, please visit (insert link here). Please note that Text Chat is listed under our "itracks GO" product availability.

Can moderators follow up with each individual?
 
 

During the text chat, Direct Messaging is available for a moderator to interact with a participant privately.

Do we have to get our own sample or is it already in itracks?
 
 

Itracks recruiting services can find almost anyone you need. We will be certain they have all the technical requirements in place to participate in addition to meeting your required attributes. Some of our clients choose to do their own recruiting or outsource this service to a third party.

Is your software used also in Europe?
 
 

itracks qualitative research products are enabled globally. To see a detailed breakdown of product availability, please visit (insert link here). Please note that Text Chat is listed under our "itracks GO" product availability.