--- title: How do I run qualitative research internationally? description: "How to run qualitative research internationally: local partners, local-language briefing and realistic timings, from an agency that's worked in 69 countries." image: https://hello.watchmethink.com/hubfs/Untitled%20Design%20(3)-Nov-12-2026-04-35-24-0004-PM.png --- [![Bombayworks logotype](https://hello.watchmethink.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/WatchMeThink_September_2023/images/wmt-logo_inverse.svg "Bombayworks logotype")](https://watchmethink.com/) - [What we do](https://watchmethink.com/#) - [Watch Me Explore](https://watchmethink.com/what-we-do/watch-me-explore) - [Watch Me Develop](https://watchmethink.com/what-we-do/watch-me-develop) - [Watch Me Use](https://watchmethink.com/what-we-do/watch-me-use) - [Watch Me Shop](https://watchmethink.com/what-we-do/watch-me-shop) - [Who it's for](https://watchmethink.com/#) - [Consumer Insights](https://watchmethink.com/who-its-for/consumer-insights) - [Shopper Insights](https://watchmethink.com/who-its-for/shopper-insights) - [Category Management](https://watchmethink.com/who-its-for/category-mangement) - [Innovation & Product Development](https://watchmethink.com/who-its-for/innovation) - [Sensory & Consumer Science](https://watchmethink.com/who-its-for/consumer-science) - [Packaging](https://watchmethink.com/who-its-for/packaging) - [Marketing](https://watchmethink.com/who-its-for/marketing) - [About](https://watchmethink.com/about) - [The 100 Blog](https://blog.watchmethink.com/) - [Contact](https://watchmethink.com/contact) - [Login](https://watchmethink.com/dashboard) - [Sign up](https://watchmethink.com/#) - [Corporate users](https://watchmethink.com/account/register/client) - [Request registration here](https://watchmethink.com/account/register/client) - [Consumer](https://watchmethink.com/account/register/contributor) - [Get paid to review products](https://watchmethink.com/account/register/contributor) Menu ![RGB\_WMT\_Bubble\_Background\_Medblue\_large](https://hello.watchmethink.com/hubfs/RGB_WMT_Bubble_Background_Medblue_large.jpg) # How do I run qualitative research internationally? - Home - [Guides & FAQs](https://hello.watchmethink.com/guides) - How do I run qualitative research internationally? - [Guides & FAQs home /](https://hello.watchmethink.com/guides) [Bo Beep](https://hello.watchmethink.com/guides/author/bo-beep) 13/11/2026 [Guides](https://hello.watchmethink.com/guides/tag/guides) [0 Comments](https://hello.watchmethink.com/guides/how-do-i-run-qualitative-research-internationally#postComment) 3 Minutes We've worked in 69 countries around the world since 2011, so ya could say we know our onions here :-) In short, the things we always do are: Proactively build a network of trusted partners, thoroughly research local considerations, make sure participants are briefed and respond in the local language, and factor in extra time.  ![Experiment\_1\_medblue](https://hello.watchmethink.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Experiment_1_medblue.gif?width=700&height=58&name=Experiment_1_medblue.gif) #### Build a network of trusted partners in local markets who know your expectations Outside the US, UK and Australia, where we have offices, we recruit through local partners. We've been working with many of these partners for years and so have excellent working relationships. When we start working with a new partner the most important thing is building a mutual understanding. We spend a lot of time coaching them on our standards and procedures, sharing examples, and explaining our expectations. But we also want to learn about them, such as whether they need anything extra from us, or foresee any difficulties. We're constantly having conversations with new partners in new markets so that we're prepared to deliver high quality research ahead of a brief coming in. We put a lot of effort into researching who to work with and will ask our partners in neighbouring countries for any recommendations too. ![Experiment\_1\_medblue](https://hello.watchmethink.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Experiment_1_medblue.gif?width=700&height=58&name=Experiment_1_medblue.gif) #### Lean on those partners to help you understand local differences Before starting work in any market we will, of course, conduct desk research to understand details related to the brief and specifics about conducting research in that market. For example, data protection rules vary across countries. To keep everything watertight and straightforward, we apply GDPR standards in every country as our baseline, plus any local requirements on top. However, having a local partner with feet on the ground is invaluable for sense checking local stores and brands, and flagging details that desk research may otherwise miss. For example, a local partner may advise you that recruitment will take longer because of slightly more hesitance to appear on camera in that market, such as in Saudi Arabia. Or they may highlight that local expectations around incentives are different, such as being higher in the Nordics and South Korea. They may also flag local regulations around filming. In Germany, for example, Thinkers aren't able to film in stores. Instead, they record audio, photograph the aisle and film after the shop. ![Experiment\_1\_medblue](https://hello.watchmethink.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Experiment_1_medblue.gif?width=700&height=58&name=Experiment_1_medblue.gif) #### Always make sure participants are briefed and respond in the local language You want answers that are as natural and authentic as possible, so always ask respondents to record in the local language, rather than English. The activity guide should then be translated into each language and verified by a human who speaks both languages and understands the research intent. ![Experiment\_1\_medblue](https://hello.watchmethink.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Experiment_1_medblue.gif?width=700&height=58&name=Experiment_1_medblue.gif) #### Keep the tasks the same, but make market adjustments as necessary If you're running the research across multiple markets you'll want to keep the tasks virtually identical so that you can still draw cross market conclusions. Things such as local examples, product names, retailers, and anything culturally specific that would confuse a participant or impact the behaviour should be adapted across markets, but the bare bones should stay the same. ![Experiment\_1\_medblue](https://hello.watchmethink.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Experiment_1_medblue.gif?width=700&height=58&name=Experiment_1_medblue.gif) #### Factor in extra time for briefing, QCing and translations from the outset In the US, UK and Australia we recruit from our own panels, so projects follow our standard timings.  In markets outside of these, we work with our trusted network of local partners to recruit and run the fieldwork for us. That adds around 3 days for briefing them and checking that what comes back meets our standards. In non-English speaking markets, footage also needs translating and those translations need checking, which adds around 3 more days. Highlight reels are also transcribed and subtitled into English. ![Experiment\_1\_medblue](https://hello.watchmethink.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Experiment_1_medblue.gif?width=700&height=58&name=Experiment_1_medblue.gif) *"My team have been very pleased with the insights this methodology has been able to capture and the 'wow' moments that we as an R&D team wouldn't have known about or seen without seeing our consumers using our products in their own homes. I have always been so pleased with Watch Me Think's attention to detail, timely and informative responses, as well as their continued ability to deliver actionable insights."* Kelly Millen, Hair Care Technical Insight Specialist, Unilever   Watch Me Think is the qual market research agency for when you can't afford to get it wrong. Real consumers film themselves as they use your products, shop, or go about daily life. Human researchers pore over every minute, tease out the threads and do the strategic thinking. They turn what they see into a report with clear, actionable advice and creative highlight reels to land the findings, win the room and get things moving.   --- #### Tag: [Guides](https://hello.watchmethink.com/guides/tag/guides) #### Share: - [Follow us on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://hello.watchmethink.com/guides/how-do-i-run-qualitative-research-internationally) - [Follow us on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://hello.watchmethink.com/guides/how-do-i-run-qualitative-research-internationally&text=How%20do%20I%20run%20qualitative%20research%20internationally) - [Follow us on Linkedin](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://hello.watchmethink.com/guides/how-do-i-run-qualitative-research-internationally) - [Follow us on Pinterest](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://hello.watchmethink.com/guides/how-do-i-run-qualitative-research-internationally&text=How%20do%20I%20run%20qualitative%20research%20internationally?description=We've%20worked%20in%2069%20countries%20around%20the%20world%20since%202011,%20so%20ya%20could%20say%20we%20know%20our%20onions%20here%20:-\)%20In%20short,%20the%20things%20we%20always%20do%20are:%20Proactively%20build[...]&media=https://3461170.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/3461170/Untitled%20Design%20%283%29-Nov-12-2026-04-35-24-0004-PM.png) --- --- ## From the archives If you like The100, maybe even found it vaguely enjoyable (steady now), you can have a ganders at our previous issues. Fill your boots. [Guides](https://hello.watchmethink.com/guides/tag/guides) 13 November, 2026 #### [How long does a video ethnography project take?](https://hello.watchmethink.com/guides/how-long-does-a-video-ethnography-project-take) Around 5-6 weeks from sign off to debrief for a typical project with human analysis. Without the… [Read More](https://hello.watchmethink.com/guides/how-long-does-a-video-ethnography-project-take) [Guides](https://hello.watchmethink.com/guides/tag/guides) 13 November, 2026 #### [How can I watch consumer behaviour in-the-moment?](https://hello.watchmethink.com/guides/how-can-i-watch-consumer-behaviour-in-the-moment) You can arrange an in-home visit where you physically go to your consumer's home or accompany them… [Read More](https://hello.watchmethink.com/guides/how-can-i-watch-consumer-behaviour-in-the-moment) - Get started - [Login](https://watchmethink.com/account/login) - [Sign up: Corporate User](https://watchmethink.com/account/register/client) - [Sign up: Consumer](https://watchmethink.com/account/register/contributor) - Resources - [Terms for Thinkers](https://watchmethink.com/terms) - [Terms for Adhoc Work](https://watchmethink.com/terms-for-adhoc-work) - [Terms for Subscriptions](https://watchmethink.com/terms-for-subscriptions) - [Terms for Agents](https://watchmethink.com/agent) - About - [Contact us](https://watchmethink.com/contact) - [About us](https://watchmethink.com/about) - [Blog](https://blog.watchmethink.com/) - [Privacy policy](https://watchmethink.com/privacy) - [Equality, diversity and labour standards](https://watchmethink.com/equality-diversity-labour-standards) - Social - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/watch-me-think) - [Twitter](https://twitter.com/watchmethink) ![cyber-essentials-plus](https://hello.watchmethink.com/hs-fs/hubfs/WatchMeThink_September_2023/images/cyber-essentials-plus.png?width=96&name=cyber-essentials-plus.png "cyber-essentials-plus") ![mrs-logo-cps](https://hello.watchmethink.com/hs-fs/hubfs/WatchMeThink_September_2023/images/mrs-logo-cps.png?width=216&name=mrs-logo-cps.png "mrs-logo-cps") ![watch](https://hello.watchmethink.com/hs-fs/hubfs/WatchMeThink_September_2023/images/watch.png?width=213&name=watch.png "watch") Watch Me Think © 2026. 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