MRS launches first online training course in Questionnaire Design

Date: 30 September 2002

The Market Research Society (MRS) has today announced the launch of its first internet-based training course. Developed in partnership with specialist electronic publisher Nelson Croom, The MRS Questionnaire Design course will be delivered entirely online and is designed to improve the professionalism and skills of research practitioners, both in the UK and internationally.

The innovative course is aimed at those with up to 12 months experience in market research. Accessible through the MRS website (www.mrs.org.uk), the course has a practical focus with registrants conducting the course entirely online.

Designed to provide a thorough grounding in the theory of questionnaire writing, the course will include a range of modules, taking participants from writing the questionnaire to analysing the results. It will also cover crucial pitfalls such as how to avoid bias and ambiguity.

Ian Brace, Executive Director of NFO-BJM, who was a major contributor to the course, said, "Questionnaires are a vital tool used by market researchers and are the main point of contact between the public and the industry. As an industry, we have a responsibility to ensure that questionnaires are suitably structured to present a positive image of market research to the community at large."

He added, "Two major issues which impact negatively on both quality of data collected and respondents' attitude towards market research are excessively lengthy questionnaires and repetitive questioning. Experiences such as these can affect respondents' willingness to participate in research."

John Samuels, a consultant in market and social research, and one of the country's leading experts in Questionnaire Design commented, "Questionnaire design is the single most important aspect of survey research and poor design is responsible for more error in obtaining valid results
than any other part of the process. Yet it is also probably the most difficult part of any survey. However experienced one is, there are countless pitfalls in writing valid and reliable questions. It is critical therefore that those starting a career in market research understand the basic principles and I welcome the MRS initiative."

The new training course is structured around the recently-launched MRS Questionnaire Design Guidelines. Accessible to all via the MRS website, the guidelines are designed to promote good practice and provide comprehensive information on writing and structuring the questionnaire, piloting and dealing with results, as well as how to secure and maintain co-operation between the interviewer and the respondent.

Notes for Editors

The Market Research Society is the world's largest international membership organisation for professional researchers and others involved or interested in market, social or opinion research.

For more information on the MRS, its activities and training programme, please visit its website at www.mrs.org.uk.

Nelson Croom specialises in designing online learning resources to engage learners and deliver desired learning outcomes. For more information on its activities, please visit its website at www.nelsoncroom.com.

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