Skip to content
Client Bid Request
Participant Sign Up
About us

Local roots. Lasting impact.

Star City Research is formerly known as Martin Research, EST. 1970 in the Roanoke Valley and is a trusted name in the market research industry.

Talk with our team
Explore our facilities
Our story

Five decades of trusted research in Virginia.

Star City Research is formerly known as Martin Research, EST. 1970 in the Roanoke Valley and is a trusted name in the market research industry. We focus on the ever-changing market research trends and no topic is off-limits.

Star City Research focuses on all regions of Virginia, including rural areas, but we have branched out to Nationwide recruiting for all research needs. We deliver both traditional in-person focus groups as well as online research sessions. Contact us to learn more about our research testing and let our team help you understand the trends in your local market.

Since 1970, our company has helped with the setup of research logistics facilities throughout the state. Our research teams, management teams, and recruiters have been working remotely from home since 2016, and our experience has made us the top choice for research in Virginia.

Star City Research research method illustration

Comfortable, well-coordinated sessions, from conference-style focus groups to living-room settings.

Our history

Milestones we can stand behind.

1970Founded as Martin Research

Established in the Roanoke Valley and built into a trusted name in market research.

2005 to 2015Ranked #1 for recruiting and facilities

The Impulse Survey of Focus Facilities ranked the company first in Richmond, Virginia Beach, and Alexandria through the survey’s final year of publication.

2016Teams go remote

Research, management, and recruiting teams began working from home, keeping projects moving statewide.

TodayStar City Research

Operating under the same trusted leadership, recruiting in every region of Virginia and nationwide, in person and online.

Regional reach

Urban to rural recruiting in every region of Virginia.

And nationwide online or in-person research.

Northern Virginia skyline, Alexandria area, where Star City Research recruits participants
Northern Virginia
Alexandria and the D.C. suburbs
Roanoke, Virginia seen from the Mill Mountain Star at dusk, home of Star City Research
Roanoke / New River Valley
Southwest Virginia, our home since 1970
Virginia Beach Town Center, Eastern Virginia coastal region
Virginia Beach / Hampton Roads
Eastern Virginia and the coast
Richmond, Virginia, Central Virginia region
Central Virginia
Richmond and surrounding counties
Why Star City Research

Why research teams keep coming back.

Seasoned in a wide range of methodologies

Mock trials, music tests, intercepts, IDIs, dyads, triads, mini-groups, usability research, mystery shops, sensory testing, shop-alongs, and in-home studies.

Online research on any platform

Experienced with online focus groups using QualBoard and other platforms, online music tests, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams, and able to adapt to any platform your research requires.

Dedicated, experienced recruiters

A team of seasoned recruiters with 15+ years of experience who work diligently to fill your niche, even with the strictest criteria.

Quality hosts, on-site or off-site

Quality hosts handle all of your research needs at our facilities or at off-site locations.

Trusted AV partners for 30+ years

We have used the same AV companies in Virginia for more than 30 years for off-site research set-ups, specialists in focus groups and mock trials.

Proven in the public eye

Experience with televised focus groups on major TV networks, national newspaper articles built on our research, and 30+ years of great client reviews.

Trusted by

Researchers. Brands. Decision makers.

Agencies, law firms, and brands have relied on our recruiting and facilities across Virginia and nationwide for more than fifty years.

See our clients
9th Seat logo
Access Roanoke logo
Aeffect, Inc. logo
Davies+McKerr London logo
Eastcoast Research logo

What clients say

I've had the pleasure of working with Jennifer and the Star City Research team on several projects and have always been impressed by the dedication they show to the work and their diligence in ensuring my clients' needs are always met. I most appreciate their candidness and their ability to approach challenging or unusual recruitment projects creatively.
Rachel Spencer
Rachel Spencer
Jennifer Powell was such a pleasure to work with, and I am so happy I found her when I needed a focus group recruit. She asked me many detailed questions to ensure she understood our recruiting needs which resulted in a perfect recruit. Not only this, but she has a great personality to go with her competence and professionalism. I could not recommend her enough and wish all qualitative managers were as friendly. Thanks for all of your hard work!
Alison LanierBusiness Manager, Responsive Management
Alison Lanier
You and your team are always on top of it, and we also appreciate your honesty. We really value your work. When you use Star City Research, you know you will always get the quality, due diligence and professionalism from the team. Their communication is excellent, always keeping us updated, and we look forward to continued successful and smooth running projects together.
Jana9th Seat
Jana
Star City Research did a fantastic job recruiting a hard to reach, younger consumer target audience for us in a very short time frame! All of the Star City team members were highly responsive to our requests and were effective communicators. We received high show rates and Star City was quick to replace or reschedule respondents if they had a scheduling conflict. I especially enjoyed receiving "real-time" respondent profile grids to maintain high quality recruitment and to keep the project on schedule. I would highly recommend Star City Research team.
Frank DeMonteDirector, Aeffect, Inc.
Frank DeMonte
Jennifer and I have worked on many projects together in the past. They have incredible show rates, great respondents and a solid, professional team. They know what they are doing, and I trust them every time with a project. If Jennifer says they can accomplish the project – they will! You are in good hands.
Brooks AndersonOperations Manager
Brooks Anderson
Star City Research recruited a group for me recently. There were several terminates and a complex screener. We found out a few days before research that the streets in front of the facility (which we procured on our own) were closed from early morning till mid afternoon for a parade. Jennifer and her crew jumped right in, alerting the respondents of the street closure and suggesting they arrive a bit earlier to secure parking. We had almost a 100% show rate. She also provided us with the name of her AV guy, who did a great job and was great to work with. I highly recommend them, they are great people and easy to work with.
Jean HoffmanNational Jury Project–Midwest
Jean Hoffman
We've worked with Jennifer for over 6 years. She and her team have been integral to our work throughout Virginia. We've conducted focus groups with her support all over the state with a variety of audiences – from voters, to low-income Medicaid beneficiaries, to uninsured adults. She and her team are excellent communicators and our participants have always been stellar.
Naomi Mulligan KolbManaging Director / Senior VP, Perry Undem Research
Naomi Mulligan Kolb
The guys at Star City Research were brilliant from start to finish. The project involved a challenging recruit within a relatively short time frame, with an obscure audience that was particularly hard to reach. They kept us informed throughout with updates and went above and beyond to provide additional information on respondents to ensure they were bang on spec! Jen, Sherry and Nancy were always on hand to help things run smoothly and the in-house facility Roanoke was perfectly suited for running groups in a creative, relaxed environment. Cheers, Sion
Sion PayneAssociate Director, Davies+McKerr, London UK
Sion Payne
Read all testimonials

Let’s work together to uncover what matters.

Tell us the audience, the place, and the timing. We will come back with a recruiting plan, a facility recommendation, and a quote, usually within one business day.

Client Bid Request