Hybrid Sampling for Low-Incidence Segments

Solving the Impossible: How DataDiggers Reached a 1% Incidence Rate Audience Using Brainactive + Correlix

Client Challenge

A leading innovation consultancy approached DataDiggers with a complex request: reach senior decision-makers in biotech startups with fewer than 10 employees—across six European countries—for a feasibility study on a niche medtech product. The incidence rate was estimated at just 1% of the general business population.

The client had previously attempted to launch the study through two other panel providers but was forced to stop the project due to:

• Extremely low conversion rates
• High cost-per-complete (CPC)
• Inconsistent respondent profiles
• Insufficient data volume for directional insights

They needed a solution that balanced speed, scale, and integrity—without inflating the budget or diluting quality.

Our Solution: Hybrid Sampling with Brainactive + Correlix

To overcome this low-incidence challenge, DataDiggers implemented a hybrid sampling framework that strategically combined:

Live Respondents via BrainactiveThrough Brainactive’s integrated marketplace and proprietary panels (MyVoice), we targeted biotech professionals based on deep B2B profiling, including industry, company size, function, and decision-making power. Using pre-screening layers and real-time quota monitoring, we optimized targeting precision and respondent validation.

Synthetic Data Augmentation with CorrelixTo enrich the sample and simulate broader perspectives without compromising integrity, we activated Correlix, our advanced synthetic data engine. Correlix leveraged a matched statistical model based on:

• Known population distributions
• Patterns in verified responses
• Bayesian weighting for response bias correction

This approach generated high-integrity synthetic data that mirrored real-world response distributions, with embedded explainability and traceability.

AI-Powered Validation and Data Fusion
Post-fieldwork, we fused both respondent types using Correlix’s hybrid modeling framework, applying:

• Deduplication algorithms
• Anomaly detection protocols
• Consistency scoring across variables

The result was a harmonized dataset fit for both quantitative and qualitative interpretation.

Outcome Highlights

“We were amazed not just by the feasibility, but the clarity and confidence we got from the insights. This was a textbook example of modern research innovation.”
– Head of Research, European Innovation Consultancy

Why It Worked

Brainactive’s Targeting Precision
With over 250 million verified global respondents and deep B2B profiling, Brainactive allowed us to isolate viable biotech professionals with pinpoint accuracy—reducing waste and maximizing response quality.

Correlix’s Synthetic Layering
By introducing synthetic cases based on real-world input signals, we filled gaps without extrapolating or introducing bias—ensuring full transparency and methodological rigor.

Data Quality Protocols at Every Stage
The fusion process included IP validation, behavioral flagging, reCAPTCHA, digital fingerprinting, and Research Defender integration—guaranteeing real, clean, and compliant data.

Key Takeaways for Researchers

• Hybrid sampling is not a shortcut—it’s a strategic framework for expanding access to critical insights when traditional methods fall short.
• With the right tools and protocols, even sub-1% incidence targets can become accessible, cost-effective, and methodologically valid.
• AI-powered augmentation, when applied transparently, can accelerate insights without compromising data quality or compliance.

Explore the Technology Behind the Success

• Brainactive: Get real-time access to deeply profiled global audiences with intelligent survey automation.
• Correlix: Generate synthetic insights that reflect reality—faster, safer, and bias-free.

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Need help reaching hard-to-access audiences?
Let DataDiggers design a custom hybrid sampling plan for your next study. Contact us now!