Malaysian MR Society Builds Respondent Database

Malaysia's MR association is to launch a database of qualified respondents for group discussions, to avoid 'professional respondent' syndrome and improve research quality.

According to association President Barry Ooi, interviewed by www.thestar.com.my , the MRSM (Marketing Research Society Malaysia) developed the idea in response to discussions with the CEOs and owners of agencies in the country and is intended to ensure all research conducted is in line with ESOMAR's international standards.

MRSM members will be able to cross-reference and check the authenticity of ad hoc survey respondents, checking the recency of their last participation in a group. 'If it's too frequent, they become professional' respondents' he comments. 'Their answers won't be genuine and spontaneous feedback, as they are very familiar with the kinds of questions to be asked'. Asked whether the problem is rampant in Malaysia, Ooi said it was 'one of those that we try to prevent and minimise.'

Almost all the association's 70 members have agreed to form a common database and to pay a nominal fee for the technology involved. Respondents' permission will be asked in order to store their data, and if they refuse the implication is that this will be one indicator of possible abuse.

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.