Extensive data mining, combined with targeted research and analysis, is an important part of our approach to investigating and comparing companies, products, and services.
In almost every research project, one of our first steps is to define the benchmark universe. This may involve identifying a comprehensive list of relevant companies within a particular market or sector, or determining which products and services address comparable consumer needs. In many cases, large volumes of data must be collected, structured, and analysed before we can define the final universe to be examined in greater detail.
Extensive Research and Data Analysis
Our work does not end with defining the benchmark universe. Meaningful comparisons of companies, products, and services frequently require the collection and evaluation of extensive datasets.
Depending on the objectives of the study, our research may include:
- Patent research
- Pricing analysis
- Terms and conditions review
- Website analysis
- Transparency and compliance assessments
Our primary sources of information are publicly available materials, either directly from companies or aggregated through third-party databases. In addition, we use customer surveys and mystery research to gather company-, product-, or service-specific data.
Combining Automated and Manual Research
Where appropriate, we use automated data collection and processing methods, including web crawling. Our analysts also use tools such as Python to structure, process, and analyse large datasets efficiently.
Automation, however, is only one part of the research process. Many research questions require manual investigation, verification, classification, and detailed analysis by our research team. Combining automated methods with expert review allows us to work with large volumes of information while maintaining a strong focus on data quality and relevance.
Better Data for More Meaningful Benchmarks
Our broad research toolset enables us to generate, structure, and evaluate complex and extensive datasets. This provides a stronger foundation for our comparisons and rankings.
Both consumers and companies can benefit from this approach. Comprehensive and detailed datasets allow us to consider more relevant information, identify meaningful differences between the subjects being evaluated, and ultimately produce more robust and informative benchmarks.