MRS Training Partnership with Pearson

The Market Research Society (MRS) has just completed a deal with publishers Pearson Education to develop a textbook and website for The MRS Advanced Certificate in Market and Social Research Practice.

Under the terms of the agreement, Pearson Education will produce a textbook, companion website, and an instructor's manual. The book, website material and the supporting instructor's manual will be written by Yvonne McGivern, an independent researcher and Visiting Lecturer at Trinity College, Dublin. The MRS will provide ongoing support, including the provision of a wide cross-section of reviewers from the research community to assess the project.

The Advanced Certificate, which recently received UK government accreditation, is increasingly regarded as an entry-level qualification for those pursuing a market research career. The qualification is currently only available at a selected number of colleges and universities within the UK, with a distant learning resource pack also available.

This new joint venture will provide the resources to allow students to study for the qualification worldwide. It is also hoped that it will help to set an international standard in market research practice - an increasing necessity as more companies undertake multi-national studies.

Ruth Martin, director of Professional Development at the MRS, commented 'The deal with Pearson Education is a very important development for The MRS and the market research profession as a whole. Not only will it provide a much-needed textbook to accompany the course, but the website will extend the resources necessary for taking the MRS Advanced Certificate in Market and Social Research Practice to a much wider audience. It also means that students taking the course will be able to continue with their studies if they are sent away on research projects, which they are currently unable to do.'

Lynn Brandon, Acquisition Editor for Marketing, Pearson Education, added 'We are delighted to have signed a deal with The MRS, which is an internationally-recognised organisation, to develop this important qualification worldwide. The MRS Advanced Certificate is highly regarded in the market research profession and we are pleased to have the opportunity to deliver products which will make it more widely accessible.'

All articles 2006-22 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas unless otherwise stated.