How do I know it's research when I pick up the phone?
Many telemarketers start their calls by asking questions, then switch to selling a service or a product. A legitimate market research company will always start by telling you who they are and why they are calling. If you want to make sure at the beginning of a call whether you are talking to a telemarketer or a research company, stop the caller and ask their ultimate purpose of the call. Ask the person to explain what his or her company does, and what the outcome of the call will be.