Is an electronic signature legally valid?

Yes. Electronic signatures are generally legally binding under the federal ESIGN Act and state UETA statutes when intent, consent, attribution, and retention are met; exceptions (for example, wills) apply.

Do I need special consent for health or student data?

Yes. Studies that collect protected health information require HIPAA safeguards and usually a BAA with vendors; student data frequently triggers FERPA considerations and parental consent rules.

What file types should I store for audit purposes?

Store a final signed PDF for the official record and retain raw response exports (CSV/XLSX/JSON) for analysis to preserve both presentation and raw data.

Can I revise the template after distribution?

You can revise the master template, but track version history and record who approved changes to ensure reproducibility and to reconcile differences between pilot and live instruments.

How should I authenticate signers?

Choose authentication strength based on data sensitivity: email confirmation for low-risk forms, SMS or multi-factor authentication for higher-risk or PHI-related studies.

Where are completed templates stored securely?

Store final signed documents and data in secured, access-controlled repositories with retention policies aligned to legal and organizational requirements.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Marketing
Marketing Research Template

Marketing Research Template

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

MARKETING RESEARCH TEMPLATE

This Marketing Research Agreement (the Agreement) is entered into by and between Client Name: and Agency Name: . Effective Date: .

1. Definitions

For purposes of this Agreement, "Deliverables" means the final research reports, datasets, creative assets and executive summaries specifically described in Section 3. "Confidential Information" means non-public business information, personal data, and research materials exchanged in connection with this engagement.

2. Campaign Description & Objectives

Campaign Name Primary Objectives Target Audience Channels and Touchpoints

3. Scope of Work and Deliverables

The Agency will design, field, analyze and deliver the research set forth below in accordance with the methodology and timelines specified. Deliverables will be accepted or rejected under the acceptance criteria in Section 4.

Methodology / Approach Sampling & Recruitment

Online panel Telephone In-person Mixed methods

Target Sample Size

Deliverables (Itemized)

Specify deliverable items, formats, quantities and deadlines. Additional items may be added by written amendment.

Deliverable 1 — Description

Format:

Quantity:

Due Date:

Deliverable 2 — Description

Format:

Quantity:

Due Date:

Additional Deliverables / Notes

4. Acceptance & Revisions

Client will review Deliverables within days of receipt and may reject on substantive non-conformance to the agreed scope. Agency will supply up to rounds of reasonable revisions at no additional charge. Additional revisions will be billed as set forth in Section 5.

5. Compensation & Payment

Total Fee Payment Schedule / Milestones Deposit Amount

Late payments incur interest at on outstanding balances.

6. Expenses & Third-Party Costs

Out-of-pocket expenses (e.g., incentives, travel, panel costs) are reimbursable with prior written approval. Expense cap without prior approval: .

7. Usage Rights & IP

Upon full payment, Agency grants Client a non-exclusive, worldwide license to use the final Deliverables for Client's internal and external marketing, advertising and corporate reporting for a period of unless otherwise agreed. Raw data and underlying research instruments remain the property of , subject to any agreed transfer and confidentiality provisions.

Exclusivity

Exclusive engagement for the research topic during the term Non-exclusive

8. Confidentiality & Data Protection

Each party will treat the other's Confidential Information with at least the same degree of care as its own confidential materials and will not disclose it except as necessary to perform this Agreement. Agency will process personal data only as instructed by Client and will implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect personal data. Describe any specific data handling requirements:

9. FTC Disclosure & Influencer Compliance

Agency represents that any participant-driven content, endorsements or influencer activity performed in connection with the Deliverables will comply with applicable advertising and disclosure laws and guidelines. Agency will provide clear disclosure language for participant posts when applicable:

Agency confirms all influencer/participant disclosures will be in conformance with applicable advertising disclosure requirements and will retain records evidencing compliance.

10. Termination

Either party may terminate for convenience with days' written notice. Termination for cause is permitted where a material breach is not cured within days of written notice. In the event of early termination by Client without cause, Client will pay a kill fee of plus reimbursable expenses incurred to the date of termination.

11. Warranties, Indemnity & Liability

Each party represents it has the authority to enter into this Agreement. Agency warrants that Deliverables will be performed in a professional manner consistent with prevailing industry standards. Agency will indemnify Client against third-party claims arising from Agency's negligent conduct in performing the Services. Except for breaches of confidentiality and indemnity obligations, neither party's aggregate liability for all claims arising from this Agreement will exceed the total fees paid to Agency under this Agreement.

12. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

This Agreement will be governed by the laws selected by the parties. Governing Law: . Parties agree to attempt good faith resolution by negotiation; unresolved disputes will be submitted to binding arbitration if requested by either party.

13. Miscellaneous

Amendments must be in writing and signed by authorized representatives. Neither party may assign this Agreement without the other's prior written consent, except in connection with a sale of substantially all assets. Severability: an invalid provision will be reformed to the extent necessary to carry out the parties' intent.

Additional Terms / Notes

By signing below, each party certifies that the person signing is authorized to bind the party and that the information and commitments contained in this Agreement are accurate and approved.

Client Name:

Print Name:

By:

Date:

Agency Name:

Print Name:

By:

Date:

What the Marketing Research Template Is and when to use it

A Marketing Research Template is a structured, reusable document that defines objectives, sampling, data-collection instruments, timelines, and deliverables for a market research project. It standardizes questionnaire items, field procedures, consent language, and reporting formats so teams collect comparable, auditable data across studies. Organizations use the template to brief internal stakeholders, external vendors, and data processors while ensuring consistent documentation of sampling frames, methodology, and analysis plans for quality control and regulatory review.

Why a standardized template matters for quality and compliance

A template reduces setup time, improves data consistency, and documents methodology for auditability. It helps teams meet privacy and industry requirements, reduces avoidable rework, and creates a single source of truth for stakeholders and vendors.

Who typically completes and relies on this template

Typical users span in-house marketing teams, research vendors, and product managers who need repeatable, auditable studies.

Marketing managers and analysts — define objectives, KPIs, and reporting requirements in one place for cross-functional alignment.
Market research agencies and consultants — use the template to scope work, estimate sampling costs, and manage deliverables for clients.
Product teams and UX researchers — adapt the template for customer interviews, usability testing, and quantitative surveys.

The template supports collaborators across the organization and external partners by clarifying responsibilities, timelines, and data handling expectations.

Core components to include in a professional template

A complete marketing research template groups project setup, fieldwork, and reporting into discrete sections so every study follows the same structure and quality gates.

Research Objective

Concise statement of the primary question(s), hypotheses, and business decision tied to study outcomes; drives method and sample selection.

Methodology

Defines approach (survey, interview, focus group), mode (online, phone, in-person), sampling frame, and any weighting or stratification rules.

Sampling Plan

Specifies target population, inclusion/exclusion criteria, sample size rationale, margin of error, and recruitment sources.

Questionnaire

Complete instrument with question wording, response options, routing logic, and translations where required for cross‑locale studies.

Data Analysis Plan

Lists planned analyses, key metrics, statistical tests, and reporting tables to ensure alignment between collection and deliverables.

Deliverables & Timeline

Schedule for milestones: instrument approval, pilot, fieldwork window, interim checks, final report and executive summary.

Essential data and fields every template should capture

Project Title: Short identifier

Primary Contact: Name and email

Target Population: Population descriptor

Sample Size: Planned N

Field Dates: Start and end dates

Confidentiality Level: Public/Restricted/PHI

Step-by-step: complete the template for a study

Follow these sequential steps to prepare a study from planning through reporting while preserving data integrity and compliance.

01

Define objectives: Write measurable research questions and business decisions informed by the study.
02

Choose methodology: Select mode, sampling approach, and required quotas or panels.
03

Pilot the instrument: Run a small test to check wording, logic, and timing before full launch.
04

Collect and analyze: Execute fieldwork, apply weights if needed, and produce prespecified tables and insights.

Configuring the online template and workflow

Set up the template to enforce required fields, routing, and export formats before you launch a study.

Field	Configuration
Required Fields	Make key fields mandatory to prevent incomplete submissions
Notifications	Configure email alerts for approvals and completions
Conditional Logic	Use branching to show relevant questions only
Export Format	Select CSV, XLSX, or JSON for analysis

Where to send, file, or submit completed templates

Define clear destinations and distribution logic so completed templates and raw data reach the correct recipients securely.

Internal Archive: Save a signed, final PDF in your project repository for auditability.
Vendor Delivery: Share instrument and sample instructions with vendors using secure links or SFTP.
Data Warehouse: Export raw responses to analytics systems for cleaning and analysis.
Stakeholder Reporting: Deliver executive summary and appendices to designated approvers.

Technical considerations for sharing and eSubmission

Confirm file types, authentication, and integrations before distributing templates to teams or vendors.

File Formats: Use PDF or DOCX for fixed templates; export raw data as CSV or XLSX.
Integrations: Connect with CRM and cloud storage (Salesforce, Google Workspace, NetSuite).
Signer Authentication: Choose email, SMS, or stronger methods depending on data sensitivity.

Ensure chosen platform supports required security controls and audit logs; document the distribution path in the template metadata to meet compliance needs.

Typical timelines and processing expectations

Use these timeline checkpoints to plan resource allocation and avoid bottlenecks during study setup and fieldwork.

Kickoff and approval:

Allow 3–7 business days for stakeholder review and sign-off.

Instrument finalization:

Reserve 5–10 business days for revisions and translation if needed.

Pilot testing:

Run a 3–7 day pilot to validate logic and timing.

Fieldwork window:

Typical online surveys run 7–21 days depending on target sample.

Final reporting:

Allow 5–15 business days for analysis and executive summary.

Common mistakes to avoid when preparing the template

Unclear objectives — ambiguous goals lead to unusable data and misaligned analyses.
Inadequate sampling instructions — vague eligibility or recruitment sources produce biased results.
Missing consent language — omitting privacy disclosures can create compliance and recontact issues.
Poorly documented changes — failing to track instrument edits undermines reproducibility and auditability.

Key risks and potential consequences

Data breach: Regulatory fines possible

Privacy noncompliance: HIPAA or FERPA liabilities

Invalid results: Business decisions based on flawed data

Contract disputes: Vendor scope and deliverable conflicts

Financial waste: Costs from rework or repeated studies

Reputational harm: Loss of customer trust

Typical eSignature pricing and feature comparison for template workflows

Below is a concise vendor comparison focusing on starting price, trials, bulk-send support, audit trail capability, HIPAA support, and envelope caps relevant to high-volume template usage.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day free trial, no credit card	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan
Bulk Send	Available (plan-dependent)	Available (plan-dependent)	Available (plan-dependent)	Available (plan-dependent)	Varies
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes (BAA available)	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan

Frequently asked questions about using the Marketing Research Template

Answers to common implementation, compliance, and distribution questions when preparing or sharing marketing research templates.

Need help? Contact support

Is an electronic signature legally valid?
Yes. Electronic signatures are generally legally binding under the federal ESIGN Act and state UETA statutes when intent, consent, attribution, and retention are met; exceptions (for example, wills) apply.
Do I need special consent for health or student data?
Yes. Studies that collect protected health information require HIPAA safeguards and usually a BAA with vendors; student data frequently triggers FERPA considerations and parental consent rules.
What file types should I store for audit purposes?
Store a final signed PDF for the official record and retain raw response exports (CSV/XLSX/JSON) for analysis to preserve both presentation and raw data.
Can I revise the template after distribution?
You can revise the master template, but track version history and record who approved changes to ensure reproducibility and to reconcile differences between pilot and live instruments.
How should I authenticate signers?
Choose authentication strength based on data sensitivity: email confirmation for low-risk forms, SMS or multi-factor authentication for higher-risk or PHI-related studies.
Where are completed templates stored securely?
Store final signed documents and data in secured, access-controlled repositories with retention policies aligned to legal and organizational requirements.

be ready to get more

Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users

Sign Now