1. Primary Quantitative Research Services
The Contractor(s) must possess the capacity to provide full-service primary quantitative research services, which include the following components:
• Research Expertise and Project Management
• Sample Design
• Instrument Design and Execution*. This includes, but is not limited to:
o Editing of pre-existing questionnaires
o Question creation and survey structure
o Testing
o Multi-device programming and testing
o Data Collection. This may include reaching a variety of respondents, including:
Regional representation of respondents across Alberta to allow for post-weighting to a proportional distribution by broad region/age/gender
Market representation across Travel Alberta’s target markets. This includes, but is not limited to Albertans, British Columbia, Ontario, the U.S. (including selected states such as California and Texas), Japan, Australia, Germany, U.K. France and Mexico
Albertan travellers and non-Albertan travellers
Low-incidence and/or hard-to-reach populations (e.g., young adults, New Canadians, special interest activity populations (e.g. mountain bikers)
• Translation of survey instrument, if required.
• Data Management and Analysis. This includes:
o Data auditing and cleaning
o Adjustment and weighting
o Database transformation
o Analyzing quantitative responses to surveys using univariate statistical analysis
o Coding and analyzing open-ended responses
o Additionally, the Contractor may be required to measure relationships between variables using various techniques, such as regression analysis, factor analysis, cluster analysis and MaxDiff analysis
o The Contractor must be able to provide the data output in various file formats. This includes but is not limited to MS Word (.docx), MS Powerpoint (.pptx), MS Excel (.xlsx) and SPSS data file (.sav). The output may be delivered by email, through a secure FTP site, cloud drives, and/or on an USB.
Reporting. This includes, but is not limited to:
o Executive summaries
o Top line reports
o Full written reports
o Presentation slides
o Use of text, infographics and visuals (charts, graphs)
o Communicate/present findings
o Deliverables will be provided in various file formats, including but not limited to: MS Word (.docx), MS PowerPoint (.pptx) and Adobe Portable Document Format (.pdf). The Contractor may be required to use their own template or Travel Alberta’s template. The deliverables may be provided by email, through a secure FTP site, cloud drives, and/or on an USB.
*Travel Alberta’s Research and Insights team uses a selection of data collection methods, including online surveys, telephone surveys, and call-backs for online surveys. Travel Alberta may or may not provide the contact list for these data collection methods. Online panel surveys and intercept surveys may also be used.
The Contractor(s) must possess capacity in at least one of the following survey types (experience in all types is preferred): Online Surveys, Telephone Surveys, Call-backs for Online Surveys, Intercept Surveys, Online Panel Surveys and Omnibus Surveys. The Contractor should have the capacity to collect data via a(n) online survey, telephone survey, and/or call-backs for online surveys. The Contractor should possess the ability to recruit qualified individuals for each type of data collection method given the research objective(s).
2. Primary Qualitative Research Services
The Contractor(s) must possess the capacity to provide full-service primary qualitative research services. This includes, but is not limited to:
• Research Expertise and Project Management
• Sample Design
• Instrument Design and Execution. Discussion guides for focus groups/interviews/online discussion boards/video diaries may be developed for any or all modes, including mixed-mode delivery. This includes, but is not limited to:
o Editing of pre-existing discussion guide
o Discussion guide creation and structure
• Data Collection. The Research and Insights team from time to time requires the use of full-service focus group facilities in various locations within Alberta, Canada and internationally. To be considered full-service, the Contractor will have or have access to (through a subcontractor) a facility with the following characteristics:
o Host services (organize materials and catering, greet participants, handle gratuities)
o Waiting area capable of holding up to twelve (12) people
o Focus group room(s) that can hold at least ten (10) participants, with sufficient space for audio/visual materials
o Audio/visual equipment including television, DVD player, laptop projector, projection screen and flipchart
o On-site, sound-proof observation room (one-way mirror and/or closed-circuit television) with room for at least three (3) observers
o Digital audio and video recording capabilities
o The Contractor will have the capability to transcribe the conversation provided by respondents, both verbally and written.
• Data Management and Analysis:
o The Contractor must be able to provide the output in various file formats. This includes but is not limited to MS Word (.docx), MS Excel (.xlsx), and Adobe Portable Document Format (.pdf). The output may be delivered by email, through a secure FTP site, cloud drives, and/or on an USB.
o The Contractor will compile and summarize verbal and written responses from focus groups/interviews/online discussion boards/ video diaries, etc. Analysis of qualitative and quantitative response collected during the session(s) may be required.
Reporting. This may include, but is not limited to:
o Executive summaries
o Top line reports
o Full written reports
o Presentation slides
o Use of text and visuals (charts, graphs) in user-friendly views
o Communicate (reports or presentations) findings to both research and non-research audiences. These deliverables will be provided in various file formats, including but not limited to: MS Word (.docx), MS PowerPoint (.PPT) and Adobe Portable Document Format (.pdf). The Contractor may be required to use their own template or Destination BC’s template. The deliverables may be provided to Destination BC by email, through a secure FTP site, cloud drives, and/or on an USB.
3. Secondary Research
The Contractor(s) will develop written materials for a variety of purposes. This includes, but is not limited to:
• Situational analysis reviews
• Competitive/jurisdictional reviews
• Trend reports such as Environmental Scans
• Literature reviews
• Use MS Word (.docx) and MS PowerPoint (.pptx)
• Present and communicate the data insights/findings
