How the Research Panel Works

Online methodology

The Youth Cafe runs both Online and In-person survey platforms where young people’s unique perspectives are their gain. Registering with us and answering the survey questions is all you have to do to access our great rewards catalogue! About 12,000 (80%) of the young people will be reached via online surveys. This is 1,200 young people per country. Online surveys will be done via mobile phones, SMS surveys, mobile web surveys and SMS API.

Mobile web links: Mobile web surveys are sent to respondents via an initial text message containing a link to a mobile web survey, which we or an external platform can host. Secondly, we use SMS Surveys which can be sent to any type of phone, with or without internet access, and will be received even if the phone does not have service or is turned off when the message is sent.

Finally, we use SMS API, which allows us to programmatically send and receive messages through shortcodes that are free to participating youth. We also run our own traffic through the connections by sending messages directly to users' phone numbers or providing youth with a keyword that enables them to start an SMS session with you. 

The online survey will take the following form:

  1. Sign Up

  2. Get A Study Notification

  3. Take Studies

  4. Earn Points

  5. Redeem Points

In-Person (Offline Survey)

The Youth Cafe runs an offline survey (In-person) where your unique perspective is your gain.  Registering with us and answering the survey questions is all you have to do to access our great rewards catalogue!  3,000 (20%) of the young people will be reached via offline surveys (In-person). This will be broken down into 300 young people per country.  

TYC will identify affiliated youth organizations in its network with ground expertise on youth issues to work within this area.  An MOU with local in-country parties detailing the level of arrangement will be signed.

For In-person methodology: 

We print the survey on paper and pass out copies to respondents to fill out with a pen or pencil. The hard copies are later keyed into the system. We will always create an offline digital survey and use the tool to collect answers.