Secretariat Complaints in 2006/2007
There were 73 Secretariat Complaints recorded between April 1 2006 and March 31 2007.
Do not contact
MRS receives two kinds of complaints about this. The first is where a respondent has specifically refused to participate in a research project and is contacted again. It is this kind that is recorded here. Secondly, MRS receives on a daily basis requests by members of the public to be taken off a master list of respondents they believe that MRS holds. MRS does not hold such a list. Most callers are referred to the TPS to restrict commercial messages or advised to tell interviewers when they are contacted that they wish to be put on the organisation’s own “do not contact” list.
Incentives
This is a problem for both quantitative and qualitative projects. Complaints result from either poor administration or failure to clearly explain to respondents the circumstances in which an incentive will be paid.
Interviewer behaviour
This section covers a wide range of problems. Complaints under this heading in 2004 /2005 include trespass, accidental damage to property, interviewing children, calling at unreasonable hours and other inappropriate behaviour.
Misleading respondents
Respondents feel misled in a number of ways. In 2004/2005 the main complaints were about interviews that took longer than promised and research where the subject was not what was explained to the respondent at recruitment.
Questionnaire Design
This category covers both sections of questionnaires and the content of group or depth interviews. Respondents may feel that questions are leading, misleading or inappropriate.
Data Protection
Respondents complained about excessive collection of personal details or being used for purposes not specified at the time of collection.
Withdrawal from Research
This covers respondents who have participated in research but now do not want to have any further part in the project. This may also include a request for their answers and personal data to be deleted.
Other
Other complaints handled by the secretariat in 2006/2007 included the selling under the guise of research, cancellation of groups, types of methodology and disputes over employment terms and conditions.
|
Site Map
