MRS Announces Last Chance to Shape Ethical Standards

Date: 13 December 2004

The Market Research Society (MRS) is calling on everyone involved in market and social research to seize a final chance to comment on a revised version of its Code of Conduct – the professional standards that govern the research industry.

This year, the MRS Code of Conduct celebrated its 50th anniversary. To commemorate this landmark occasion, the MRS has revisited and revamped the Code, updating its language, format and some content to ensure its relevancy to researchers in the 21st century.

Before the new-look Code is published during 2005, the MRS wants to ensure that the maximum number of people who have an interest in market research have seen the draft and are satisfied with the proposed changes. To this end, the Society is calling on researchers in agencies and client-side, as well as commissioners of research and anyone else with an interest in research standards, to provide comment before the consultation closes on 31 December 2004.

Rowland Lloyd, MRS Council Member and Chairman of the Professional Standards Committee, the committee responsible for the re-drafting of the Code, commented, “We are very keen that as many people as possible provide feedback on the revised MRS Code of Conduct. During its 50-year history the Code has been subject to many changes, but this recent revision is one of the most significant the Society has ever undertaken.

“A whole new section has been introduced which details rules based on the research process, all geared to adding clarity and to strengthen the MRS drive for better self regulation. These rules have been taken from existing MRS guidelines, removing duplication and providing all the mandatory elements in one document. With external input to our new improved Code we will enhance standards, thus demonstrating to the public and buyers the ethical and commercial importance of adherence,” Rowland Lloyd added.

The MRS Code of Conduct is designed to support all those engaged in marketing or social research in maintaining professional standards. It applies to all members of the MRS and guides most aspects of their professional conduct through all the stages of the research process.

Rowland Lloyd concluded, “The level of response we’ve received so far has been very encouraging but we are eager to get the opinions of as many more people as possible in these final few weeks of consultation. Everyone with an interest in market research has a view on the Code, so please let us know yours.”

For more information on the MRS Code of Conduct, or to provide a comment on the revised Code online, log onto www.mrs.org.uk/standards/codeconduct.htm. The deadline for comments is 31st December 2004.

Note for editors

The MRS is the world's largest international membership organisation for professional researchers and others involved or interested in market, social or opinion research.
The MRS is the Code-holding body for market research
For more information on The MRS, the Code of Conduct, and its activities, please visit its website at www.mrs.org.uk.

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