New Award for Technology Effectiveness

The Market Research Society (MRS) and the Association for Survey Computing (ASC) in the UK have announced a new award, the MRS/ASC Joint Award for Technology Effectiveness.

It is believed to be the first such award from any professional body worldwide for excellence in technology for market, opinion and social research. Judged by a panel of industry experts, the award will be presented to the company or individual considered to have achieved the highest level of excellence in creating software or other technology that promotes greater effectiveness in the practice and delivery of research, at the Research Excellence & Effectiveness Awards to be held in London on the 25 November.

ASC and MRS invite nominations for the award from either those using technology in the practice of professional research, or those who have developed software or technology for market, opinion and social research. Entry criteria and an entry form are available from either the ASC or MRS web sites. Nominations should be forwarded to ASC no later than 30 June. The judging panel will announce a short list of four nominations at the ASC International Conference 'The Impact of Technology on the Survey Process' at Warwick University in September.

David Barr, Director General of The Market Research Society, said: 'Effective deployment of software and technology is now vital in all information and knowledge management disciplines. In addition to organising traditional surveys, many researchers have become 'data integrators' from multiple sources. In conventional applications, technology already contributes greatly to speedy and cost-effective information collection and processing. Now it is becoming central to enhancing the capabilities for analysis and insight so sought after by researchers. This new award will bring deserved prominence and greater recognition to those whose excellence in technology applications makes an outstanding contributionto research effectiveness.'

Tim Macer, ASC Committee member and Chair of the judging panel, commented: 'Technological innovation is only ever half of the equation; it is the application of the technology that yields the result. By focussing on technology effectiveness, our aim is to recognise and reward those who are innovative enough to develop something fresh, yet expert enough to ensure it provides a practical answer to those involved in research.'

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas unless otherwise stated.