Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about working with Busch Labs — from methods and timelines to pricing and data quality.
Research Services
First results are often there in hours or days. Most consumer studies are completed within 7 days, B2B experts within 14 to 21 days. A full usability study with analysis is typically done within 3 days.
We replace no-shows for free. We verify and confirm every participant before they join a session.
Yes. You can book just recruiting and run the sessions yourself, or we handle everything end-to-end.
UX (User Experience) tests, usability tests, user interviews, surveys, card sorting, tree testing, diary studies, A/B tests, expert reviews, brand experience studies, and employee experience studies. We match the method to your research question.
Every participant passes multi-step identity verification (email, bank data name matching, external profile review) before entering any study. We maintain three verification levels — Verified, Confirmed, and Known — and combine this with fair compensation, strict frequency limits, and personal study review before launch. Learn more about our recruitment process and our data quality approach.
Yes. We specialize in hard-to-reach professional audiences including C-level executives, healthcare professionals, and technical specialists.
Multi-step identity verification (email, bank data name matching, external profile review) before any study invitation. Three verification levels: Verified, Confirmed, and Known. Combined with fair compensation, strict frequency limits, and personal study review before launch. Learn more about our recruitment process and our data quality approach.
We verify B2B participants through LinkedIn profile review, company website confirmation, and in some cases direct professional outreach. We don't accept self-reported job titles at face value.
From C-level executives to team leads, technical specialists, and procurement decision-makers. We recruit across industries and verify each participant's actual role and authority level.
First results are often there in hours or days. Most B2B studies are completed within 14 to 21 days. If we need additional time for very niche audiences, we will communicate this upfront. If you need it extra speedy, get in touch and we will find a way.
First results are often there in hours or days. Most consumer studies are completed within 7 days. If you need it extra speedy, get in touch and we will find a way.
Multi-step identity verification including bank data name matching, strict frequency limits (no more than once a month for consumers), and continuous behavioral monitoring including response timing and open-end quality scoring.
We recruit through targeted online and offline campaigns across multiple channels. Every participant goes through screening that matches your specific study requirements. We don't stretch definitions to fill quotas.
Healthcare specialists, financial advisors, engineers, educators, niche hobbyists, rare user segments. Audiences that don't exist in standard consumer panels and require custom sourcing strategies.
Custom sourcing through professional networks, community partnerships, targeted advertising, and physical recruitment at relevant locations. We don't rely on a single channel.
Yes. We have strong DACH coverage and cooperate with freelancers and vendors globally. The recruitment approach stays the same regardless of geography: targeted, verified, quality-first.
It depends on your research goals. For quantitative studies, sample size is driven by your confidence level, margin of error, and effect size. Use our sample size calculator to get a tailored recommendation.
Yes. We can distribute to your list, use our panel, or combine both for broader reach.
Web surveys (desktop/mobile), email distribution, embedded surveys, and kiosk mode for in-person collection.
Most surveys complete in 2-3 weeks: 1 week for design, 1 week for fielding, 3-5 days for analysis. Rush projects available.
Before going to field (study design review), before presenting findings (analysis review), or when you want to improve your overall research practice (ops audit).
Senior UX researchers with 10+ years experience. All reviewers have run hundreds of studies and can spot issues quickly.
A detailed written review with specific feedback, suggestions, and examples. For complex projects, we include a call to discuss.
Study design reviews: within 2 days. Analysis reviews: within 3 days. Ops audits: 14 to 21 days.
Full-service means we handle everything—recruiting, scheduling, moderation, and analysis. You give us the brief and receive a finished report. Self-service gives you the tools to run research yourself.
Yes. You can observe all sessions in real-time through a separate viewing link. Many clients find this invaluable for stakeholder buy-in.
For qualitative research (interviews, usability tests), 5-8 participants typically reveal 80% of issues. We'll recommend the right sample size based on your goals.
First results often come within within 2 days. A typical end-to-end project — recruiting, sessions, and analysis — takes 7 to 14 days for consumer audiences or 14 to 21 days for professional audiences.
Insights Consulting
It depends on scope. Focused sprints can deliver results within days. Complex strategic projects with multiple stakeholder groups typically take a few weeks. We scope every project individually and give you an honest timeline upfront.
We start with your decision, not a generic framework. Every finding is tied to what you need to decide, not just interesting data.
Yes. M&A due diligence, competitive intelligence, new market evaluation - we handle sensitive work regularly with appropriate confidentiality.
Yes. We deliver board-ready materials and present findings directly to your leadership if needed.
We combine trend analysis, expert interviews (often 15-20 domain experts), scenario planning, and where relevant, primary research with target audiences. It's not prediction—it's informed preparation.
Industry reports are generic. We conduct custom research tailored to your strategic questions, with primary data from experts and stakeholders relevant to your specific situation.
We've conducted market studies across technology, healthcare, financial services, manufacturing, and consumer goods. Our strength is methodology, not just domain expertise.
We combine qualitative methods (in-depth interviews, focus groups, ethnography) with quantitative approaches (surveys, conjoint analysis, MaxDiff). The mix depends on your questions and decision context.
We bring strategic synthesis and cross-industry perspective. Your team knows your customers; we help you see patterns they might miss and translate findings into strategic action.
Typically 4-8 weeks depending on scope. A focused perception study might take 4 weeks; a comprehensive segmentation could take 8-10 weeks.
Confidentiality is paramount. We never share individual responses with leadership. Our reports focus on patterns and themes, not attributable quotes. Employees trust external researchers more than internal surveys.
That's often where the value is. We help leadership understand difficult feedback constructively and develop action plans. Knowing hard truths is better than being blindsided.
Engagement surveys measure; we diagnose. We go deeper to understand why scores are what they are and what specifically needs to change. We also bring external benchmarks and best practices.
Research Operations (ResearchOps) is the infrastructure that enables research to scale: processes, tools, governance, and knowledge management. It's what allows you to do more research with less friction.
Typically when research demand outpaces capacity, insights get lost, or quality becomes inconsistent. Signs include: researchers spending more time on logistics than research, repeated studies, or insights that don't reach decision-makers.
Yes. We're vendor-agnostic and help you evaluate tools based on your specific needs, team capabilities, and budget. We focus on tool strategy, not just point solutions.
Engagements typically run 2-4 months depending on scope. We can do focused assessments (2-3 weeks), specific implementations (1-2 months), or comprehensive transformations (3-4 months).
That's fine. Many clients come with a question or challenge rather than a detailed brief. We'll help you scope the project during our initial conversation and can draft a research brief together.
Depending on scope, first results can come within days. Complex custom projects with multiple phases typically take a few weeks. We'll give you an honest timeline upfront based on your specific requirements.
Absolutely. We often collaborate with internal teams—either as an extension of their capacity or bringing specific expertise they lack. We're comfortable in collaborative or independent roles.
We're flexible. Standard deliverables include a full report and executive summary. We can also provide raw data, presentation decks, workshop facilitation, or whatever format works for your organization.
We train product managers, designers, marketers, and anyone who needs to conduct or use research. Programs are tailored to your audience—executives get different content than practitioners.
We offer half-day workshops, full-day intensives, and multi-session programs. Training can be in-person (preferred for hands-on practice) or remote. We also do ongoing coaching engagements.
We use real examples from your domain, hands-on exercises, and optional follow-up coaching. The goal is behavior change, not just knowledge transfer. We can also provide reference materials and templates.
Yes. We run remote workshops regularly, though in-person is preferred for hands-on practice. For distributed teams, we often recommend a hybrid: remote theory sessions plus an in-person intensive.
Player Labs
Every player in our panel has a verified gaming profile: platforms, hours played, genres, favorite titles. We match based on actual behavior, not self-reported preferences.
Beta players are self-selected fans. They forgive issues that would turn off new players. Testing earlier with neutral players catches problems before they are baked in.
Yes. We use secure distribution, NDAs, and our Vienna lab offers fully controlled on-site testing for sensitive projects.
Remote gives you scale and natural play environments. Lab testing adds observation, biometrics, and tighter control. Many studios combine both.
For qualitative research (interviews, playtests), 6–24 players per segment depending on depth needed. For quantitative studies (surveys), it depends on confidence level and effect size. Use our sample size calculator for a tailored recommendation.
Players connect their Steam account. We verify based on games owned, hours played, achievement patterns, and account age. No self-reported data.
We match players based on comparable titles. Tell us games similar to yours and we find players who love that genre.
Yes. We support Steam keys, Epic keys, direct downloads, and password-protected builds. NDAs enforced.
Standard sessions are 60 minutes of gameplay plus a short survey. Extended sessions (90 min) available.
For moderated sessions, yes. For unmoderated, you receive recordings after completion.
PC (any launcher), browser games, and mobile (iOS/Android). Console testing requires our Vienna lab.
Four pillars: multi-step identity verification (including Steam profile validation), fair incentives and participant-controlled invitation frequency with strict upper bounds, personal review of every study before players are invited, and continuous quality monitoring including environment consistency checking. We reject studies that don't meet our standards.
Steam library verification. We match based on actual games played, hours logged, and achievement patterns—not self-reported preferences.
It depends on your research goals. For quantitative studies, sample size is driven by your confidence level, margin of error, and effect size. Use our sample size calculator to get a tailored recommendation.
Yes. We can distribute surveys to your player base, our panel, or combine both.
Statistical analysis, visualization, segmentation (if applicable), key findings summary, and strategic recommendations.
Surveys: 2-3 weeks from design to report. Interviews: 3-4 weeks depending on sample size.
We verify players through Steam libraries, platform accounts, and play history. We know what they play, how much they play, and whether they match your genre. No self-reported 'I play games sometimes.'
Yes. Every player in our panel has a confirmed gaming profile with genres, platforms, hours played, and favorite titles. We match to your exact criteria.
Discord communities give you self-selected fans who already love your game. Our panel gives you verified players matched to your genre and platform criteria, including people who have never heard of your title. That's how you catch new-player issues.
People & Culture Lab
Third-party data collection, minimum response thresholds for segment reporting, and no individual responses shared. Employees hear this directly from us, not just from HR.
Standard surveys measure satisfaction. We measure the underlying drivers: psychological safety, trust, clarity, belonging. These predict engagement, not the other way around.
Yes. We have benchmark data across industries and company sizes for validated instruments like psychological safety assessments.
We present findings to leadership with appropriate context. If we uncover serious issues, we help you plan the response, not just drop a report.