MRA's Research Confidence Index Stays High

The MRA's quarterly Research Industry Index (RII) confidence measure has celebrated its 25th wave with a good result: a third consecutive three figure score, for the first time since 2008.

RII is produced in partnership with Issues & Answers and Cooper Roberts Research, and this wave was based on online interviews with 212 owners and senior level managers from both corporate researchers and marketing research firms in February and March of 2014.

The study tracks the health of the marketing research industry in the USA, and shows continuing improvements in key metrics such as RFPs/proposals, projects/booked revenue and staffing levels, behind the headline index figure. The new headline figure of 100 is for the 4th quarter of 2013, and follows 100 for the 2nd quarter and a peak of 102 for the third.

The MRA cautions that despite healthy improvements overall, the climate of business remains tough for some smaller firms (under $1 million in annual revenue).

Amy Shields, PRC, who is MRA's Director of Research, says the findings from 2013 are 'the most optimistic we've seen'.

Details are at www.marketingresearch.org/research-industry-index .