Panels are a group of individuals who agree to take surveys through the internet. There are many types of panels, but most are online. Some use probability sampling techniques, while others use other methods. Most panels are composed of volunteers who receive compensation for completing surveys. The compensation can range from small amounts of money to frequent-flyer miles. Recruiting materials generally emphasize the fact that panel members will have a chance to influence the development of new products. In addition to compensation, panel members may also find it fun to participate.
Panels have many limitations. They are not representative of the general population, particularly the voting-age population. While most U.S. citizens have access to the internet, not all of them are active participants in politics. They are less educated and have lower incomes. This means that the results of these surveys are not representative of the public at large. Moreover, the demographics of the respondents are skewed by the fact that more older people are likely to vote than younger ones.
In addition to the organizational benefits, panels also allow users to create a more user-friendly workspace. For example, a custom workspace will display a list of all the panels available. The user will be able to select a tab from this list and keep the panel open. Other benefits of a custom workspace include the ability to group panels together and dock them at the bottom of other panels. Alternatively, a user can drag a tab from the title bar to the panel bin.
