What's New entries from the past year
May 2007
Building Bridges - Public Sector Research - 25 May 2007
The latest NortheRN meeting will be held at Lumley Castle, Co. Durham. The Keynote speaker is Professor Hood, the Director of ‘The Public Services Programme’ for the Economic and Social Research Council. Full details.
Advanced Certificate in Market & Social Research Practice
67% of the 127candidates participating in the February 2007 assessment round were awarded the MRS Advanced Certificate. Congratulations to the following who successfully passed this qualification
MRS Debate - 14 May, House of Commons
The motion is: Politicians are stronger than their brands. Further details.
April 2007
Data Collection for Compensation Claims - Frequently Asked Questions
New FAQs on the Compensation Act 2006 and Compensation (Regulated Claims Management Services) Order 2006. Learn more.
Updated LitSearch resource sheets
The LitSearch resource sheets on online research, research with children and young people, Ethnic minority research, customer satisfaction and Ethnography have all been updated. These resource sheets are exclusively for individual MRS members and employees of MRS Company Partners, and provide 'instant' literature searches, plus other resources, on specific areas of research. Log into the MRS Members' Area or the MRS Company Partner Area to download these sheet and others in the series.
Census User Consultation on Ethnicity, National Identity, Religion and Language
The MRS Census and Geodemographics Group has responded to the ONS Census User Consultation on Ethnicity, National Identity, Religion and Language for the 2011 Census in England and Wales. Read our response.
MRS Five-A-Side Football Tournament 2007
This year's MRS Five-A-Side Football tournament will take place on 1 July at Hanwell Town FC.
March 2007
Research Excellence & Effectiveness Awards 2007
Now in its fourth year, our Awards scheme exists to encourage and reward outstanding achievement in both the practice and business of market and social research.
Call for Entries
Field Conference
This year's Field Conference will take place on the 9 & 10 July 2007.
Conference Awards
The shortlists have been announced for this year's Conference Awards.
Conference blog
WARC will be reporting daily from Research 2007, via a dedicated conference blog featuring summaries and comment on all the key sessions. Join the debate by visiting www.warc.com/Research2007.
A Guide to MRS Qualifications
MRS has developed a suite of qualifications, drawing on best practice across the profession, ensuring that there is a qualification that’s right for you, whatever your level of experience. Find out more with the Guide to MRS Qualifications
February 2007
Research Clinics
Find out the latest guidance with Research Clinics on Incentives and Employee Research.
International Journal of Market Research - summaries from latest issue available
Summaries of articles from the latest issue of the International Journal of Market Research are now available. Individual MRS members and employees of MRS Company Partners can also access summaries of articles from all 2005 and 2006 issues by logging into either the Members' Area or the Company Partner Area.
January 2007
Small Area Geography - Planning for the Future
Monday 5th February 2007 1.30-5pm
MRS, London EC1
This meeting is being held by the MRS Census and Geodemographics Group (CGG), in order to give you an opportunity to contribute your views on the future National Statistics small area geography policy for England and Wales. Book your place now.
Training Course A-Z
An A-Z of MRS training courses is now available for the 2007 Training Programme.
Advanced Certificate in Market & Social Research Practice
64% of the 125 candidates participating in the October 2006 assessment round were awarded the MRS Advanced Certificate. Congratulations to the following who successfully passed this qualification
December 2006
Consultation - Market Research Processes & the Data Protection Act 1998
A new document has been prepared based on existing guidelines, and combining guidance that previously appeared in two separate documents. We would like to hear your views.
Press coverage
The MRS Press Office regularly contributes spokespeople, and helps develop articles, which highlight the benefits of research. A month-by-month summary of recent coverage, which has resulted from MRS Press Office contributions, is now available for December.
November 2006
Research Excellence & Effectiveness Awards 2006
The winners of the 2006 Research Excellence & Effectiveness Awards were announced at a dinner and ceremony on Monday 6 November.
September 2006
MRS submissions to recent consultations
In September MRS responded to the Gambling Commission's paper on Prize Competitions and Free Prize Draws and the Department of Constitutional Affairs consultation on increasing penalties for deliberate and wilful misuse of personal data. Read these two submissions in the Code/Guidelines section.
26 September 2006
International Journal of Market Research - summaries from latest issue available
Summaries of articles from the latest issue of the International Journal of Market Research are now available. Individual MRS members and employees of MRS Company Partners can also access summaries of articles from all 2005 and 2006 issues by logging into either the Members' Area or the Company Partner Area.
12 September 2006
UK Strategy for Geographical Information (GI) - contribute your views
The Geographic Information Panel was established in 2005 in order to provide high-level advice on GI issues. Know Edge Ltd is currently developing a GI Strategy for the UK and members of the GI community are invited to contribute.
5 September 2006
Research Excellence & Effectiveness Awards - finalists announced
The shortlists have been published for the Research Excellence & Effectiveness Awards 2006. The winners will be announced and presented with their Awards at a ceremony on Monday 6 November at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London.
4 September 2006
Advanced Certificate in Market & Social Research Practice - congratulations
Congratulations to everyone who has been awarded the MRS Advanced Certificate following the June 2006 Assessment. 72% of the 178 candidates participating in this assessment round were awarded the Advanced Certificate qualification.
4 September 2006
MRS Annual Review
The MRS Annual Review has been published; it records the activities and achievements of MRS during 2005-06.
4 September 2006
August 2006
Online Research - one-day conference
Following the success of Online Research: Advances and Opportunities in Market Research Online earlier this year, this one-day conference is being run again on 3 October in central London. The programme, which has been developed since June, draws together an impressive line-up of speakers and panelists including users and providers of online research.
24 August 2006
Government consultations
There are a number of current Government consultations, of interest to the industry, open at the moment. Information on these can be found in the Code/Guidelines section.
21 August 2006
Press coverage
The MRS Press Office regularly contributes spokespeople, and helps develop articles, which highlight the benefits of research. A month-by-month summary of recent coverage, which has resulted from MRS Press Office contributions, is now available for June to August.
21 August 2006
Research Excellence & Effectiveness Awards 2006
Book now for this evening to celebrate achievement in research, taking place on 6 November at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London.
16 August 2006
Pricing research - LitSearch resource sheet
The latest in the series of LitSearch resource sheets has been published - Pricing research. These resource sheets are exclusively for individual MRS members and employees of MRS Company Partners, and provide 'instant' literature searches, plus other resources, on specific areas of research. Log into the MRS Members' Area or the MRS Company Partner Area to download this sheet and others in the series.
10 August 2006
Business and leadership skills for autumn 2006
From September, the MRS training programme will be bigger and better than ever. Incorporating courses previously offered by the British Market Research Association (BMRA), the new programme will help you develop not only a wide range of research skills but also essential business and leadership skills.
9 August 2006
Geography and People: How academic theory has evolved into business benefit - seminar
Government is constantly trying to build better bridges between the academic and commercial sectors, so that new research may better impact on the country’s success. But this has proven difficult. This one-day seminar, taking place on 27 November, will bring together experts from both the academic and commercial sectors to talk from their alternative perspectives on a series of common topics relating to ‘Geography and People’.
7 August 2006
International Journal of Market Research - summaries from latest issue available
Summaries of articles from the latest issue of the International Journal of Market Research are now available. Individual MRS members and employees of MRS Company Partners can access summaries of articles from all 2005 and 2006 issues by logging into either the Members' Area or the Company Partner Area.
3 August 2006
MRS Regulations for the Conduct of Consultation Projects - consultation
These draft regulations, MRS Regulations for the Conduct of Consultation Projects, which will be binding on MRS members and Company Partners, are now available. Comments are invited by 3 November 2006.
3 August 2006
MRS Field Conference 2006 - presentations
The presentations from the MRS Field Conference 2006 are available to download.
1 August 2006
Occupation Groupings: A Job Dictionary - new edition
A new edition of the indispensable Occupation Groupings: A Job Dictionary has just been published. The Dictionary is used to determine the social grade (A-E) of respondents and covers most job titles. It is available both in print and electronically in PDF format.
1 August 2006
Customer satisfaction research - LitSearch resource sheet
The latest in the series of LitSearch resource sheets has been published - Customer satisfaction research. These resource sheets are exclusively for individual MRS members and employees of MRS Company Partners, and provide 'instant' literature searches, plus other resources, on specific areas of research. Log into the MRS Members' Area or the MRS Company Partner Area to download this sheet and others in the series.
1 August 2006
July 2006
Press coverage
The MRS Press Office regularly contributes spokespeople, and helps develop articles, which highlight the benefits of research. A month-by-month summary of recent coverage, which has resulted from MRS Press Office contributions, is now available for April and May.
24 July 2006
International Journal of Market Research - 2005 summaries available
Individual MRS members and employees of MRS Company Partners can now read summaries of articles that were published in the International Journal of Market Research during 2005. Access these summaries via the MRS Research Portal - Search Services, in the MRS Members' Area or the MRS Company Partner Area.
18 July 2006
Employee research - LitSearch resource sheet
The latest in the series of LitSearch resource sheets has been published - Employee research. These resource sheets are exclusively for individual MRS members and employees of MRS Company Partners, and provide 'instant' literature searches, plus other resources, on specific areas of research. Log into the MRS Members' Area or the MRS Company Partner Area to download this sheet and others in the series.
18 July 2006
June 2006
Snowdonia Marathon: Former chairmen on the run
Two former Chairmen of MRS (David Smith and Justin Gutmann) will be taking part in the Snowdonia Marathon on the 29 October and raising money for the Market Research Benevolent Association.
4 July 2006
Draft qualitative research guidelines
Draft Qualitative research guidelines have been issued for consultation. The Guidelines have been updated in accordance with the new MRS Code of Conduct. We would welcome your views on this document no later than Friday 11 August.
4 July 2006
MRS Gold Medallists
Tony Cowling and John Samuels have both been awarded an MRS Gold Medal in recognition of an outstanding lifetime contribution to market research.
26 June 2006
MRS Field Conference 2006
The full programme for the MRS Field Conference 2006 is now available, with details of sessions and speakers.
15 June 2006
Independence for Statistics Consultation
MRS recently responded to the HM Treasury’s independence for statistics consultation - read the full submission.
15 June 2006
2006 MRS Fellowships awarded
MRS Fellowships are awarded in recognition of an exceptional contribution to market research. Seven fellowships have been awarded in 2006.
12 June 2006
Thank You leaflet
The text for the Thank You leaflets has been updated. Members are invited to use this text for their own Thank You leaflets.
8 June 2006
Research 2007, the next fifty years – call for contributors
The Research 2007 Programme Team is setting out a very broad canvas for next year’s Golden Jubilee Conference: what the future has in store and how research can contribute to the key issues facing business and society in the coming years across the globe. We are also looking back over the last 50 years of MRS Conferences to capture the essential wisdom and key insights that can help take us forward. The Call for Contributors is now available with details about the themes and information on how to submit your ideas. The deadline for submissions is Friday 8 September 2006.
6 June 2006
LitSearch resource sheets
Two new LitSearch resource sheets have been published - Research with children and young people, and Focus groups. These resource sheets are exclusively for individual MRS members and employees of MRS Company Partners, and provide 'instant' literature searches, plus other resources, on specific areas of research. Log into the MRS Members' Area or the MRS Company Partner Area to download them.
5 June 2006
May 2006
Guidelines published
Two new guidelines have been published: Questionnaire design guidelines and Business-to-business research guidelines.
25 May 2006
Employee research - textbook
While understanding one's customers has long been a tenet of successful management strategy, the critical importance of understanding one's own employees is increasingly being acknowledged. Employee Research, published by Kogan Page in association with MRS, is an authoritative guide which outlines the key principles behind undertaking research among employees.
23 May 2006
Research Conferences - call for speakers
Would you like the chance to speak at future Research Conferences? We are seeking speaking proposals on: creativity in MR, qualitative research, quantitative research, research and the new media environment, researching youth, researching women and the pink pound.
16 May 2006
International Journal of Market Research 48(3) published
The latest issue of the International Journal of Market Research has been published. Read the table of contents and a thought-provoking Viewpoint from Nigel F Piercy entitled 'The trouble with marketing research is marketing researchers'.
10 May 2006
Rolled up holiday pay - update
Following the European Court of Justice ruling on rolled-up holiday pay in March 2006, the DTI has added a statement to their website.
9 May 2006
Research magazine awards - call for entries
Research magazine is inviting entries for its six awards: Best Agency, Best New Agency, Best Research Campaign, Research Champion of the Year, Research Newcomer of the Year and Innovative Employer of the Year. The closing date for entries is Friday 30 June.
4 May 2006
MRS Scotland - events
MRS Scotland's AGM and pub quiz will take place on Thursday 18 May in Edinburgh. This will be followed by their annual Five-a-side Football Tournament which takes place in Edinburgh on Saturday 10 June. Visit the MRS Scotland section for more details on both these events.
4 May 2006
Advanced Certificate - congratulations
Congratulations to everyone who has been awarded the MRS Advanced Certificate following the February 2006 Assessment.
3 May 2006
Online Research - one-day conference
This one-day conference, for both agency and client-side researchers, will focus on the latest developments in the online quantitative and qualitative research markets. It will take place on 27 June at the Crowne Plaza in London.
2 May 2006
LitSearch resource sheets
Exclusively for individual MRS members and employees of MRS Company Partners, a series of LitSearch resource sheets is being introduced. These sheets will provide 'instant' literature searches, plus other resources, on specific areas of research. The first two sheets in the series are now available - Ethnic minority research and Ethnographic research. Log into the MRS Members' Area or the MRS Company Partner Area to access these LitSearch resource sheets.
2 May 2006
April 2006
Guidelines published
A number of updated Guidelines have been published: Conducting research with employees, Conducting research with children and young people, and Internet research guidelines.
24 April 2006
Research 2006 Connections - conference papers
The Conference Papers from Research 2006 Connections are available to purchase.
4 April 2006
Research Excellence & Effectiveness Awards 2006 - call for entries
The MRS Call for Entries for its Research Excellence & Effectiveness Awards 2006 is now open. Now in its third year, our Awards scheme exists to encourage and recognise outstanding achievement in the market and social research profession by rewarding innovation in the creation and implementation of a research project.
3 April 2006
March 2006
MRQSA 2006 conference
Recently added to the Standards section is a copy of the presentation slides from the 2006 MRQSA conference which summarise the differences between the current British market research quality standard BS 7911 and the soon to be released international ISO 20252.
30 March 2006
Business to Business Research Guidelines - consultation
Draft Business to Business Research Guidelines have been issued for consultation. The Guidelines have been updated in accordance with the new MRS Code of Conduct. We would welcome your views on this document no later than Friday 21 April.
28 March 2006
Rolled up holiday pay illegal says European Court
On 16 March 2006 the European Court of Justice, ruling on two cases from English courts, found that rolled up holiday pay schemes breach the Working Time directive. The cases will now return to the English courts for a final decision. MRS has issued a report which outlines the basis of the decision and its possible impact.
27 March 2006
DTI Unfair Commercial Practices Consultation
MRS recently responded to the Department of Trade and Industry’s consultation on implementing the EU Directive on Unfair Commercial Practices. In its response MRS requested that selling and fund raising under the guise of market research be included within the scope of prohibited unfair commercial practices.
27 March 2006
MRS Conference Awards 2006 - shortlists announced
The shortlists for the five MRS Conference Awards have been published. The winners will be announced at the Research Excellence & Effectiveness Awards dinner on Monday 6 November at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London.
27 March 2006
Predictive diallers and silent calls
On 1 March 2006 Ofcom issued a new Statement of Policy on the persistent misuse of an electronic communications network or electronic communications service. This Statement is designed, in part, to address the problem of silent calls. To help members abide by this new statement, MRS has released Regulations for Use of Predictive Diallers (updated from the previous MRS document on this subject). These revised MRS Regulations are binding on all MRS members and MRS Company Partners.
22 March 2006
MRS Research Portal
Individual MRS members and employees of MRS Company Partners can access the new online MRS Research Portal, which provides easy access to the most relevant research information and databases. Log into the MRS Members' Area or MRS Company Partner Area to access the Portal.
16 March 2006
International Journal of Market Research 48(2) published
The latest issue of the International Journal of Market Research has been published. Read the table of contents and a thought-provoking Viewpoint from Agnes Nairn (University of Bath) on the commercialisation of childhood.
9 March 2006
Questionnaire Design Guidelines - consultation
Draft Questionnaire Design Guidelines have been issued for consultation. The Guidelines have been updated in accordance with the new MRS Code of Conduct. We would welcome your views on this document no later than Friday 21 April.
6 March 2006
Life and times of a new researcher - giving up the secrecy for Lent!
R-Net are giving up the secrecy for the 40 days of Lent and writing 40 days in the life of a researcher on the way up the career ladder . The 40 days are by different people - read about their typical days and find out how you can contribute.
1 March 2006
February 2006
Press release: Integration of BMRA services within MRS Company Partner Service
The MRS Council welcomes the announcement by the BMRA that its members have voted in favour of proposals to integrate BMRA services into the MRS Company Partner Service. Read the full press release.
23 February 2006
Social grade and the 2001 Census
The MRS Census & Geodemographics Group developed an algorithm for deriving approximate social grade codes (the 'ABC1' system) from the 2001 Census. In order to help users to use the results across the 16-64 age range MRS commissioned a customised set of Census tables from ONS. A description of these tables, a spreadsheet which provides the table outlines and details of how to obtain these tables free of charge is now available.
20 February 2006
The Regulatory and Investigatory Powers Act 2000
Frequently asked questions on The Regulatory and Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA 2000) have been published.
20 February 2006
Research Excellence & Effectiveness Awards 2006
The Research Excellence & Effectiveness Awards ceremony will this year take place on Monday 6 November at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London - further details will be announced in due course.
15 February 2006
Professional Standards - complaints
A new section on Complaints has been added to the Code/Guidelines section, which includes information on how to avoid complaints and investigation of complaints by MRS.
2 February 2006
January 2006
Product testing
MRS has published a check list and frequently asked questions for those involved in product testing, including food and drink testing.
30 January 2006
Guidance - Freedom of Information Act
MRS has published guidance on the Freedom of Information Act and a Data Protection Act Who's Who flow chart.
30 January 2006
BS7911 accredited companies
A list of BS7911 accredited companies is now available in the Professional Standards section.
26 January 2006
Research Buyer's Guide UK & Ireland
The Research Buyer's Guide UK & Ireland 2006 has been published. The Guide is a directory of organisations and consultants based in the UK and the Republic of Ireland offering market research and related services.
16 January 2006
New look Geodemographics Knowledge Base
The MRS Census & Geodemographics Group has launched its new look Geodemographics Knowledge Base website. Not only does the site now have a cleaner more contemporary design, but it offers improved navigation for visitors, who will find it easer to search for and find the information they require.
11 January 2006
Advanced Certificate awardees announced
The October 2005 Assessment for the Advanced Certificate in Market & Social Research Practice saw 77 students awarded the Certificate.
9 January 2006
MRS Company Partner Service
A register of MRS Company Partners has been published on the site. In addition, MRS Company Partners and their employees can now access an exclusive area, which includes information on professional standards, professional development and business advice.
3 January 2006
December 2005
Thank You leaflet
An approved text for Thank You leaflets is now available. Members are invited to use this text for their own Thank You leaflets.
14 December 2005
Integration of BMRA services into MRS
The Councils of MRS and BMRA today jointly announced their unanimous support for proposals to integrate BMRA services into MRS, with effect from April 2006.
8 December 2005
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