The Consumers' Choice Award™ commissions an independent research company to survey a sampling of consumers in the Indianapolis area. The research study, conducted over a period of 8 weeks, does not use a panel of so-called judges, experts, or select few to decide on the winners. All winners are literally chosen by the consumers.

OBJECTIVE:
The study is aimed at determining opinions of consumers with regard to their establishments of choice in the Indianapolis area. Consumers are divided into two major groups: general public (for business-to-consumer services) and top ranking managers and business owners from all sizes of businesses (for business-to-business services).

METHODOLOGY:
The 2010 Consumers’ Choice Award™ survey was conducted by Information Alliance, a market research firm employing widely accepted methodology using state-of-the-art technology, and working closely with Utah State University (www.infoalli.com). Survey respondents were reached using online and telephone interviewing methods.

Consumers and business respondents were recruited by email invitation from consumer samples provided by Survey Sampling International (SSI), the premiere global provider of online statistical samples for survey research (www.surveysampling.com). Respondents were screened based on geographic location (Indianapolis DMA). Online interviews were completed following the email invitations. Visitors to www.ccaindy.com were also permitted to participate in the survey. All respondents must be 18 years of age or older. Respondents were permitted to vote only once per category in up to 138 categories. Surveys were completed using internet questionnaires and the data was tabulated using research specific software.

QUESTIONNAIRE:
The study is conducted in two phases: the Nomination phase and the Voting phase.

Nomination phase: For every category included in the questionnaire, respondents are asked to nominate one Indianapolis-area company of their choice based on quality and value of service. Companies with a significant number of mentions are then included in the ballot list for each category in the voting phase. Nominees not operating in the Indianapolis DMA or with demonstrated disreputable business practices, are disqualified.

Voting phase: The question asked is the following: "We are interested in your opinion about Indianapolis-area companies that have distinguished themselves the most over the past year in terms of their quality and value of service. Your response will help acknowledge the best companies, retail stores and organizations in your community. In your opinion, among the following nominees, what company is your choice of the year in the category of _____?" Relevant demographic data concerning respondents and companies is also collected, in addition to demographic data concerning age, gender, education, and income of the respondents.

DATA ANALYSIS:
Results were tabulated by Information Alliance using research specific software. For each category, the most frequently mentioned companies are identified. Categories with an insufficient number of responses are eliminated from use for the current year. Two winners were identified in each category based on those businesses receiving the most votes. In the case of a category with a statistical tie, there may be three winners identified.