What is UWIchoice?
UWIchoice is the acronym for the UWI Cave Hill Online Insight Community for Enhancement. UWIchoice is an online community of UWI students who want to make it easier for you to make decisions. It’s a diverse group. Membership is open to all students – those who are mature or young, of all nationalities and backgrounds, and with a broad range of interests. Members have signed up to regularly provide feedback to the university and organisations like yours by completing online research activities.
Which organisations can use UWIchoice for research?
Any organisation can commission UWIchoice research. Corporations, non-profit organisations, small businesses, government departments, educational institutions and any other entity can submit research questions and receive answers from UWIchoice within a short time.
Who runs UWIchoice?
UWIchoice is administered by the Student Experience Team (SXT), Office of Institutional Planning & Infrastructural Services at The University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus.
What kind of research is suitable for UWIchoice?
Consider using UWIchoice if you want to get feedback or input from university students about products and services that are likely to appeal to a broad group, and if you need research results in a relatively short period of time. Research questions that are likely to be suitable include those that are relatively easy-to-answer and aimed at: developing a better understanding of prospective or existing customers’ and their evolving needs; understanding the market’s awareness or perceptions of brands, products or services; or getting feedback about product or services that are being planned, or have recently been launched. The Student Experience Team will review your brief and design UWIchoice research activities that are best suited to your needs. Such activities may take the form of quantitative research (e.g. surveys), as well as qualitative research, which asks participants for more in-depth responses, or is exploratory in nature.
Note that online insight community research may not be suited to niche markets, as there may not be sufficient numbers within UWIchoice who fall into such specialist groups and can provide robust research results.
How can my organisation start using UWIchoice for research?
The first step is to tell us about your research interests – what would you like to know? An easy way to do this is to send us a research brief. You can download and use our research brief template by clicking here, or just send an email to natasha.seaforth@cavehill.uwi.edu describing what you hope to find out, and how you would like to use that information.
How does the research process work?
We will review your research brief or other submission and contact you in case we need further information or would like to discuss your requirements. After we have a clear, mutual understanding of your needs, we will submit a proposal for the research for your review. This will include an estimate of fees and a research schedule. When we agree on the approach and terms of service, SXT will coordinate the research activity, inviting UWIchoice members to participate.
After UWIchoice members complete the research activity, within two weeks, SXT will provide you with an electronic report of findings. This will include any breakdowns that you have requested e.g. results by respondents’ age, gender or nationality. As part of their contract with us, clients will also have the option of delivery of their results as an oral presentation or in another format, as well as the inclusion of our conclusions and recommendations. We will also invite you to provide an update on your usage of insights provided by UWIchoice (e.g. decisions made, new products/ services considered or launched), which we may use to update members on the impact of their participation.
How far in advance must I submit a research request or brief?
In general, you should submit your brief at least two weeks before you would like the research to be completed. This ensures that SXT has sufficient time to prepare a research proposal and make arrangements to administer the research.
For simple projects, it may be possible to conduct the research activity within one week of submission of your research brief. In all cases, the research proposal will include a detailed research schedule.
How much does it cost to use UWIchoice for research?
The cost of your UWIchoice research project depends on the number and type of questions required to meet your research needs, as well as the way you would like to have your results delivered. See our Service Rates to explore your options and see how we will work out the price that we include when we send you a research proposal.
Where can I get more information?
Contact Ms. Natasha Seaforth, Research Associate– Student Experience at natasha.seaforth@cavehill.uwi.edu with any questions.
