For a Library Music Test to produce statistically-sound, reliable and valid comparative data, these steps should be taken:

• The test should be conducted within a controlled environment (80-100 respondents should be exposed to the test material [i.e. songs] at approximately the same time and place - but not necessarily in the same order. If the test is individually-administered at numerous, different times, places and settings, the true “comparative” quality of the test is compromised and the projectability of the resulting data invalidated).
• There should be rotational controls (to neutralize song position-bias/burn-out).
• The music should be evaluated (it should not be a “test” of respondents -- or their endurance -- sessions should be limited to no more than two hours).
• The test should be professionally administered (not self-administered -- where possible questions, confusion and missing data can occur; not to mention personal differences in evaluation approach -- i.e., listening to each song twice, replaying songs to answer a second question, etc.).
• The data should be collected on a “consistent-exposure” basis -- not evaluating 100 songs at six different times, with possibly six or more different interruptive influences (i.e., call-waiting, door bells, children, extraneous noises, etc.).
• Questions should be worded in a relatable fashion (not with excessive questions that make respondents think they are programming radio stations or analyzing the image of specific songs).

Key Advantages of FMR’s Exclusive EARS® Music Testing System Include:

• Quality Recruitment -- Recruitment/validation conducted by central computer-assisted Fielding Facility, using an automated Predictive Dialing System. Custom screening is thoroughly conducted, with pre-screening and post-screening methods used as well.
• Digitally produced hooks presented in a portable MP3 player to respondents to ensure proper placement, spacing and sound quality -- as well as a rotation of the songs tested in multiple sessions.
• The use of personal, wireless, hand-held computers (which do not accept invalid responses) mean participants are not impacted by others in the room and are less likely to make response errors that are common with paper-and-pencil forms.
• A more “realistic” response method -- Pushing buttons is a more relatable way of responding to music -- either negatively or positively -- than scoring songs on a “test form” or turning a “dial.” A “test form” suggests there are “right” and “wrong” answers. (For Library Music Testing, this is clearly “wrong.”)
• Elimination or reduction of respondent fatigue -- “The psychology” of taking a 650-question “test” is eliminated. FMR limits the length of its sessions to two hours. Participants actually enjoy the process.
• Custom perceptual supplements -- An EARS® test always includes additional perceptual questions, along with the Library Test. The answers to perceptual questions are collected during the test (and sometimes during the recruitment process as well). As a result, statistically-projectable data can supplement the EARS® session respondent perceptual data -- to cross-validate and further quantify the perceptual findings.
• Speed -- With our internal recruiting controls and capabilities, EARS® music sessions can be scheduled in as quickly as two weeks -- with preliminary results (song scores and rankings) e-mailed in an Excel format the morning after a test. This allows the data to be imported easily into any kind of scheduling software you prefer. The full report is typically available within three working days.
• Flexibility and Customized Output -- A variety of unique indices and breakouts are possible based on clients’ needs. The output is typically provided electronically (in a variety of different formats), as well as hard copies.
• Cost-Efficiency -- Due to the unique EARS® technology, more songs can be reliably tested with the same set of respondents; not to mention the supplemental perceptual questions. If multiple station tests are conducted on consecutive days, further cost efficiencies are achieved in the recruiting, as well as travel expenses.

To request additional information about the EARS® technology, click here.