An Introduction to Angelfish Fieldwork: Your Go-To for All Things Consumer Insight

At Angelfish Fieldwork, we're passionate about helping businesses uncover meaningful insights that drive better business decisions.

Since 2011, we’ve been connecting businesses with the very best participants for their qualitative market research. Based in the UK, we specialise in qualitative research recruitment, providing a full range of services to support projects from start to finish. 

This blog aims to answer some of the most common questions we get, give you a behind-the-scenes look at how we handle projects, and explain why our approach ensures your research runs smoothly and successfully. 

Let's dive in!

Why Choose Angelfish Fieldwork? 

Here at Angelfish Fieldwork, we’re all about transparency, clarity, and working as a true partner in your research. From your first conversation with us to the final deliverables, we aim to make the process as seamless as possible. 

The heart of our approach is our Client Services team—the dedicated and enthusiastic team who guide you every step of the way. They provide expert advice on feasibility, consult on methodology, and make sure everything stays on track. Their experience and consultative approach mean that we can tailor our services to meet your exact needs, and help you navigate any challenges along the way. 

1. Frequently Asked Questions 

In this section, we’re tackling some of the most frequently asked questions we get from our clients. If you’re considering Angelfish Fieldwork for your next project, read on to learn more about what we offer and how we work. 

What types of research do you specialise in? 

We’re all about qualitative research. Whether you need remote interviews, focus groups, ethnography, online communities (MROCs), and more. If it’s a qualitative methodology, we can help. We’ve got the expertise to recruit the perfect participants for your project. Our focus is on providing high-quality insights through engaging and impactful research.

What services do you offer? 

We offer a comprehensive range of services to make your market research as smooth as possible. Some of our key offerings include: 

• Participant recruitment (tailored to your exact specifications) 

• Screener creation 

• Venue booking for focus groups and interviews 

• Incentives for participants 

• Moderation of sessions and analysis 

Whatever stage your project is at, we can help make sure it’s a success. Always contact us about our qualitative offerings or discuss what you are looking and we will aim to help. 

What sectors do you cover? 

We have experience across a wide range of industries. Some of the key sectors we specialise in include: 

• Media 

• Retail 

• Charities 

• FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) 

• Consumer Health 

Whether you’re conducting consumer research for a new product launch, or you’re looking to get feedback on your latest advertising campaign, we have the right experience to help you get actionable insights. 

What geographical regions do you cover? 

We operate throughout the UK and can work with trusted partners to cover the Republic of Ireland if needed. 

How do you recruit participants? 

We recruit participants through multiple channels to ensure we get the best fit for your project: 

• Our opt-in community of over 45,000 participants is our primary source. You can download our community stats here for a full breakdown. 

• We also encourage participants to refer friends, covering referral fees to maximise this approach. 

• We use growing social media audiences, including Instagram (5k followers) and Facebook (15k followers), to reach new participants.
• If needed, we conduct desk research and engage with relevant charities or online groups to help expand our recruitment pool.

Regardless of the channel, our in-house project management team speaks to all respondents during the main stage of recruitment to cherry-pick the best participants for our clients. We love the human touch! 

What is the turnaround time for recruiting participants? 

We aim for a quick and efficient process, typically requiring 2 days for set-up and 10 days for recruitment. While we strive to meet your deadlines, quality is our top priority. If your project has specific time constraints, we’re flexible and encourage you to reach out to discuss tighter timelines—we’ll always do our best to accommodate your needs. 

How do you ensure data quality and prevent bias in your samples? 

Data quality is non-negotiable for us. Here’s how we maintain high standards: 

• All of our team members are RAS-accredited, and we are a RAS In-House Accreddited company. 

• We follow MRS and AQR guidelines to ensure ethical recruitment and data handling. 

• We use a participant exclusion list to avoid over-recruitment and ensure fresh, unbiased perspectives. 

• We have a blacklist for any participants who no-show or provide substandard responses. 

• We bring a personal touch to our recruitment process, using our team's experience and intuition to identify the best participants for each methodology. We build rapport with participants to optimise engagement and ensure we select individuals who truly fit your needs. 

If you don’t have specific quotas (e.g., gender, age, location), we will always aim to include a diverse range of participants, ensuring your data is reflective of your target audience. 

Can you recruit hard-to-reach or niche audiences? 

Yes, we can recruit hard-to-reach or niche audiences. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your specific needs and work together to develop the best plan for your project. 

How do you handle GDPR/data privacy? 

As RAS-accredited professionals, we take data security seriously. We ensure that all participants are fully informed and provide consent before taking part in any research. We handle data according to the highest industry standards, maintaining privacy and confidentiality at all times. In addition, we are Cyber Essentials certified, ensuring robust IT security measures. Our team undergoes ongoing internal training to stay up-to-date with the latest policies and compliance regulations. For more details, you can refer to our privacy policy here.

What is the pricing structure for your services? 

We offer bespoke pricing tailored to the specific requirements of each project. We work closely with you to understand your needs and provide a clear, transparent cost estimate. For more details, you can contact us to request a quote.

2. Commissioning a Project: What You Need to Know

Once you’re ready to get started, we’ll guide you through the commissioning process. The first step is completing a Client Project Agreement (CPA). This agreement outlines the key details of your project and ensures that both parties are aligned on objectives and expectations. 

Key areas to complete in the CPA include: 

• PO Number for invoicing 

• Details on what can be disclosed to participants (e.g., project goals, confidentiality) 

• Accessibility requirements (e.g., screen reader compatibility, wheelchair access) 

• Data processing details (who has access, how long the data is kept, etc.) 

• Briefing availability: we want to hear about your project, aims, and objectives, as this will help us on validation calls. 

Taking the time to complete this form ensures a smooth and transparent process, making sure everyone is on the same page from day one. Once the CPA is complete, your project will be handed over to our experienced project management (PM) team, who will oversee every detail moving forward. Our client services team will personally brief the PM team to ensure seamless communication and execution. 

3. How We Handle Projects: From Start to Finish

We’re committed to making sure your project is handled efficiently and in line with industry standards. Here’s an overview of how we approach projects: 

Pre-Fieldwork: 

• We start with an initial consultation to fully understand your needs and objectives—preferably via a call. 

• Once we have a clear understanding, we move to the project set-up stage, where we handle client updates, project logistics, and confirm all details ahead of fieldwork. This includes ensuring accurate schedules, managing venue hire, coordinating tech checks, overseeing pre-task completion, and handling respondent onboarding to ensure everything is in place before we begin. 

• We then conduct a briefing call with the client services and project management teams to ensure everyone is aligned and ready for the next steps. 

• Next, we begin the participant recruitment process, including screening and profiling to match your exact specifications.  

During Fieldwork: 

• During this phase, we focus on confirmations, participant engagement, and ongoing management to ensure a smooth process while interviews or sessions are taking place. 

• We always recommend over-recruiting to account for any potential drop-outs or no-shows, but if necessary, we can work to find replacements, ensuring the project runs smoothly. 

Post-Fieldwork: 

• We ensure all deliverables are met. 

• We provide our clients with invaluable respondent feedback, conduct internal debriefs for learnings, and offer clients a debrief call to discuss. 

• Additionally, we can manage incentive payments and handle any related queries with respondents to ensure all aspects of the process are covered. 

Data Usage and MRS Guidelines 

We follow the latest MRS guidelines to ensure ethical practices and data protection throughout the research process. We are transparent about how data is collected, stored, and processed, and we adhere strictly to GDPR compliance. 

Ready to Work With Us? 

If you're looking for consumer insights through qualitative market research, Angelfish Fieldwork is here to help. We’re dedicated to providing the best participants for your research needs, offering expert support at every stage of the project. 

Get in touch with us today to discuss your upcoming research project and receive a bespoke quote!