IA Seeks Changes to 'Archaic' Federal Research Policy

US professional body the Insights Association (IA) has issued a strongly-worded call to the federal government, noting that its 'current approach to survey, opinion and market research [has been] unchanged since 2006', and needs 'urgent modernization'.

The IA filed comments with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) today, claiming that current policy 'wastes taxpayer resources and hurts the private sector.' Recommendations for improvement include streamlining the research approval process; 'accepting modern survey methods and technology, particularly online panels'; dropping 'arbitrary' demands for high response rates and caps on participant incentives; increasing competition in the marketplace for the provision of research services to the federal government - providing more opportunities for small businesses; and recognizing ISO standards as a mark of quality in research, thus helping federal agencies to identify trustworthy research partners.

The IA claims 'the current federal approach is 'onerous, archaic and antiquated', adding: 'The policy has not been updated in nearly twenty years (since 2006), while the real world in which research must operate, not to mention how rigorous research is conducted in the private sector, has changed dramatically.'

Full text at www.insightsassociation.org/News-Updates/Articles/ArticleID/1671/Insights-Association-Urges-Reform-of-Federal-Government-Research-Policy .