Research that counts - and counts on people
Quantitative research is how we turn consumer behaviour into numbers you can act on. From large-scale surveys and product tests to eye tracking and implicit measurement, we combine statistical rigour with genuine human understanding to deliver insight that holds up under pressure.
About the methodology
What is Quantitative Research?
Quantitative research is the discipline of measuring what matters, at scale, with precision, and with enough depth to drive real decisions. At Haystack, we go beyond frequency tables and top-2-box scores to understand what the numbers actually mean for your brand.
Scale with substance
We work with large samples across multiple formats, online, in-home, in-store, central location, and mobile, to capture consumer behaviour in the context that matters most.
Measurement with meaning
We complement explicit measurement with implicit techniques, eye tracking, reaction time testing, and behavioural observation. Because what people do and what they say are rarely the same thing.
Our methods at a glance
Online surveys · Central location interviews · In-home interviews · In-home use tests (iHUT) · In-store interviews · Mobile research · Quantitative observations · Eye-movement registration · Mystery shopping · Automated behaviour registration · Shopper safaris · Intercepts
Why Quantitative Research matters
When you need to validate, measure, or compare at scale, quantitative research gives you the confidence to decide. It brings statistical backbone to your strategy and turns direction into evidence.
Validate what you think you know
Hypotheses need proof. Whether you are testing a concept, a product, or a price point, our quantitative methods give you the sample size and analytical depth to say with confidence: this works, or it doesn't.
Measure the things that matter
From brand equity and purchase intent to session ability and shelf impact, we track the metrics that connect consumer behaviour to business performance.
From data to decision
We don't just deliver data files. We translate findings into clear recommendations, supported by robust analytics, priority mapping, and output formats your team can actually use.
Start measuring what matters to your consumers
At Haystack Consulting, quantitative research is designed for precision, not just volume. We bring analytical rigour, methodological breadth, and genuine strategic thinking to every project.
Ideal Partner
Why partner with Haystack Consulting
Our team combines survey design expertise, advanced analytics, and implicit measurement capabilities.
We don't just run fieldwork. We consult. We challenge your questionnaire design, sharpen your KPIs, and make sure the output you get drives action, not just another slide deck.
Our quantitative toolkit spans the full research journey, from early discovery and segmentation through concept optimisation, brand tracking, and activation. And because we combine explicit and implicit measurement, we capture both what consumers say and what they actually reveal.
Unique process
Built around your question, not a standard package
We design every study around your specific objective, decision deadline, and target group. That means the right method, the right sample, and the right analytical framework.
Rigour you can trust
From questionnaire design and quality control to data cleaning and advanced statistical analysis, we apply the same high standards across every methodology we deploy. Speeders are filtered out, low-incidence studies get additional fraud protection, and every dataset is reviewed before reporting begins.
From data to strategy
Our analysts are trained to go beyond the numbers. We extract key drivers, segment differences, and strategic implications, then translate them into clear, consultative recommendations your team can act on.
Brand aligned
A partner who keeps human understanding at the core
We see quantitative research as a means to an end. The end is always a clearer, more confident understanding of your consumer, and a better decision for your brand.
Hybrid precision
We combine what consumers say with what they reveal, through both implicit and explicit methods such as: reaction time measurement, eye tracking, and behavioural observation.
Scientific foundation
Validated methods, robust sampling, and thorough quality control across every study we run.
Tailored to your brand
No standard packages. Every study is scoped around your specific question, context, and consumer.
Ethically designed
GDPR-compliant, quality-controlled, and designed to capture real behaviour, not just stated opinion.
Our quantitative methods, from discovery to activation
We offer the full range of quantitative methodologies, stand-alone or combined, designed to guide you from early understanding through to confident decision-making.
Discover
Where are we now? Ground your strategy in measurement. Understand your market, your consumers, and your competitive position with data you can build on.
Optimise
How are we going to get there? Test, refine, and validate concepts, products, and communications before you go to market.
Spread
How are we going? Measure performance, track brand health, and assess the impact of activations over time.
Inspire
Where do we want to go? Identify opportunities, map demand spaces, and understand what drives choice in your category.
Evaluate
How are we going? Measure performance, track brand health, and assess the impact of activations over time.
Discover
Where are we now? Ground your strategy in measurement. Understand your market, your consumers, and your competitive position with data you can build on.
Inspire
Where do we want to go? Identify opportunities, map demand spaces, and understand what drives choice in your category.
Optimise
How are we going to get there? Test, refine, and validate concepts, products, and communications before you go to market.
Evaluate
How are we going? Measure performance, track brand health, and assess the impact of activations over time.
Spread
How can we ensure arrival? Share insight at scale and build shared understanding across teams and stakeholders.
Don’t just take our word for it
"Great team to work with. Always innovating research agency for sensorial research!"
"Haystack brainstorms with us as a partner to create challenging, innovative, and custom-made projects."
"We have great professional experience with Haystack! They are reliable, dynamic, pleasant and highly flexible. They are specialised in sensory research among others."
"Haystack has a critical approach embedded in their company culture and methodologies. That is why we prefer to work with Haystack."
Ready to shape your quantitative story?
The depth of consumer understanding starts with the right measurement. If you are ready to bring precision, confidence, and strategic clarity to your decisions, we would love to talk.
Frequently asked questions
Quantitative research is a broad discipline. Here are some of the most common questions clients ask when planning a project with us.
Can you run quantitative research internationally?
Yes. We work across Belgium, the Netherlands, and internationally, adapting our methodology to local context, panel availability, and regulatory requirements.
How large does my sample for quantitative research need to be?
It depends on your objectives, the level of subgroup analysis required, and the incidence of your target group. We always advise on the right sample size for your specific question — balancing statistical reliability with budget and timeline.
Can quantitative and qualitative research be combined?
Absolutely. Qualitative research is ideal for understanding the 'why'; quantitative research confirms and measures at scale. Many of our most impactful projects combine both — sequentially or in parallel — to give you both depth and confidence.
How do you ensure data quality in online surveys?
We apply multiple layers of quality control: speeder detection based on median response times, straight-lining filters, inconsistency checks, and additional anti-fraud measures for low-incidence studies. We never set unfair traps — but we do take data integrity seriously.
What is the difference between a blind and branded product test?
A blind test removes brand context so you can evaluate the product on its own merits — taste, texture, performance. A branded test includes brand information to capture the full consumer experience, including the influence of brand equity and expectations. We advise on which is right depending on your research question.
Start your quantitative journey today
With Haystack Consulting's quantitative research, you can validate ideas, track performance, and measure what truly drives choice, from early discovery all the way through to activation.
If you are ready to see how the right method, the right sample, and the right analysis can shape smarter, more confident decisions, our team is here to help.
