Frost & Sullivan's Decision Support Database (DSD) group is made up of research analysts who are experts in their fields. Each team member is responsible for compiling and developing quantitative information for his or her market sector of expertise using our proven research methodology. Through qualified secondary research and conscientious adherence to the following three-stage research process, we ensure our clients receive accurate and meaningful data for each market measurement.
1. Quantitative Data Collection Methodology
Where do we source the data?
Data is collected from authentic domestic government bodies, trade associations, regional development organizations, international organizations, industry research repositories, and Frost & Sullivan's exhaustive knowledge base.
How do we determine authenticity of the secondary research data source?
Organizations with an established continuous process of data collection, documentation and dissemination are considered authentic. Going by this definition, domestic government bodies and international organizations prove to be authentic resources for economic, demographic & social statistics. Authentic data on industry specific measurements are collected from industry research repositories, internal Frost & Sullivan resources including research publications and trade associations.
2. Quality Control
How do we reconcile data discrepancy across sources for the same measurement?
Data discrepancy across sources for the same measurement is managed through careful scrutiny of the definitions used. Consistency in value of inter-linked measurements is also considered to check the accuracy of data collected.
How do we factor in Industry Expert perspective?
Frost & Sullivan's global industry research teams continuously review work-in-progress samples of all DSD measurements to verify accuracy of historic and forecast data.
3. Forecast Methodology
What is the basis for forecasts?
Forecasts for each DSD measurement are based on 3 principal inputs:
- Analysis of the historical trend of the measurement
- Level of influence by macroeconomic, industry and relevant parameters on the growth of the DSD measurement being forecasted
- Published market information on the expected future course of the Decision Support Database measurement, macro economy, industry and relevant parameters
After thorough analysis of the above 3 inputs, an integrated scenario analysis results in final forecasts for the Decision Support Database measurement. This integration builds in the aspect of historic growth trend, market perspective and the movement of lead indicators. The impacts are analyzed through factors driving and restraining the growth of the measurement, with the historic growth trend and market perspective as guidelines. Our global research teams corroborate the validity of the assumptions involved through review of these forecasts.
Do we adopt any specific models in quantifying the influences of the impact?
The impact of factors driving and restraining the movement of a measurement is quantified for analysis. The impacts are graded on an eight-step scale from No Impact to High Impact, with appropriate weights being assigned for the corresponding driver or restraint. Appropriate selection of the impacts is then translated into index numbers to finally reflect the aggregated influence in the form of forecast growth rate.
The permissible level of growth for any impact is determined based on the historic growth trend and qualified matching of growth rates with the type of growth for the measurement. The selected growth rate is then matched against the appropriate impact level to generate growth rates across the entire eight-step spectrum. These permissible growth rates are further evaluated with inputs from the regional research teams.
| DECISION SUPPORT DATABASES BY MARKET |
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