Independent Research Group For Australia

The Market Research Society of Australia (MRSA) has announced it is to hold the inaugural meeting of its new Independent Research Group (IRG) during the first week of May. The group has been set up in response to the reported needs of independent researchers.

The MRSA says it received a proposal concerning the move at its last NSW Division meeting. On the basis of receiving sufficient interest, the MRSA has now stated that it will form a section to 'represent independent market researchers, many of whom work from home.'

The society has outlined a number of issues that it believes particularly affect these independent researchers. They include the following thorny areas:

• working in isolation and lack of contact with other researchers;
  
• being unable to take time out to attend professional development events;
  
• the use of subcontractors for qualitative recruitment, fieldwork and data processing;
  
• obtaining suitable freelance research support for larger jobs;
  
• dealing with administrative tasks during busy periods
  
• the administrative, insurance and contractual obligations of some projects.

The MRSA has stated that it hopes the IRG will seek to address these issues through a combination of networking opportunities, information exchange mechanisms and professional support. MRSA's Victorian Division has also expressed interest in setting up a similar group.

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

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