http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief Short articles about Qualitative Research and trends in the QR industry. Many of these articles were previously published in InBrief, the bimonthly magazine of the AQR. Copyright (c) AQR, 2008 80 33 http://www.aqr.org.uk/icon/footer-logo.gif http://www.aqr.org.uk 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 19 20 21 22 23 Saturday Sunday en-GB info@aqr.org.uk info@skillzone.ltd.uk 16 Jan 2010 20:44:44 GMT 1440 http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=jess.francis.16-01-2010.textbook People who know me well say that I am one of life's great sceptics and as such I've always been chary of the value of "textbooks" and their relevance to the real world. 16 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=jess.francis.16-01-2010.textbook http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=rebekah.yock.15-01-2010.celebrity Water-cooler talk often revolves around celebs – but then who else should we discuss, asks Rebekah Yock? 15 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=rebekah.yock.15-01-2010.celebrity http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=louella.miles.15-01-2010.unimagine The issues from the Copenhagen Conference on climate change continue to rumble on. Will the policies decided on make a difference? The jury's out. 15 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=louella.miles.15-01-2010.unimagine http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=shabana.ebrahem.16-11-2009.mind Shabana Ebrahem explores why marketers must get to grips with the dark side of the social blogosphere 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=shabana.ebrahem.16-11-2009.mind http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=marcel.zbinden.16-11-2009.switzerland Marcel Zbinden reveals why qual work in Switzerland, with seven million inhabitants but four national languages, is so challenging 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=marcel.zbinden.16-11-2009.switzerland http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=louella.miles.16-11-2009.tweet Communication just keeps getting faster. In October I attended a fascinating conference by Echo Research at which Rita Clifton, chairman of Interbrand and president of the MRS, talked the audience through those who'd gone up and down her company's 100 "Best Global Brands" list. 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=louella.miles.16-11-2009.tweet http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=judith.wardle.16-11-2009.vinopolis Abi Almond and Judith Wardle review a day where talks ranged from waistlines to property, and trauma to targeted design 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=judith.wardle.16-11-2009.vinopolis http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=andrea.higgins.16-11-2009.shopping From coffee to cloves, ice cream to face cream, there are now a staggering 4,500 Fairtrade products available. In such price-sensitive times, when we're seeing declining sales and consumer down-switching, Fairtrade has defied the odds and experienced growth (see page 4). Intrigued, Green Light set out to discover more about consumer awareness, understanding, attitudes and behaviours towards this recession-resilient offering. 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=andrea.higgins.16-11-2009.shopping http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=abi.almond.16-11-2009.vinopolis Abi Almond and Judith Wardle review a day where talks ranged from waistlines to property, and trauma to targeted design 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=abi.almond.16-11-2009.vinopolis http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=rosie.campbell.30-09-2009.moreca In the spirit of conversation I, too, would like to add a few thoughts – especially as I have pontificated somewhat stridently of late on the subject of language and the need for more careful listening (and reading) in qual analysis. 30 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=rosie.campbell.30-09-2009.moreca http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=marc.dumoulin.30-09-2009.belgium Marc Dumoulin challenges pre-conceptions about one of the EU's smallest, but most accessible markets 30 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=marc.dumoulin.30-09-2009.belgium http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=manish.sinha.30-09-2009.purefold Purefold is a revolutionary new platform for clients beset by rising costs – but, asks Manish Sinha – will clients risk it? 30 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=manish.sinha.30-09-2009.purefold http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=liz.sykes.30-09-2009.alternatives Everyone knows someone who's had swine flu but will the situation worsen and how will it affect qual, asks Liz Sykes? 30 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=liz.sykes.30-09-2009.alternatives http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=kevin.mclean.30-09-2009.conversation Are qualitative researchers "conversation experts"? Or, is what we do a pale imitation of what "real" conversation experts do? The latest In Depth has sparked debate about why quallies should bother with Conversation Analysis. 30 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=kevin.mclean.30-09-2009.conversation http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=gareth.roberts.30-09-2009.useabuse I have a question for you. Imagine you were having your car serviced, would you pay the mechanic up front? Or if you had the builders in would you hand over all of the cash before a trowel had been raised? Probably not. Why is it then that we tend to pay our respondents before we've asked them a single question? Talk about a touching faith in human nature. 30 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=gareth.roberts.30-09-2009.useabuse http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=anne.ward.30-09-2009.hotseat Anne Ward ploughs through a new book offering invaluable insights into sales and marketing, and help with your career 30 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=anne.ward.30-09-2009.hotseat http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=steve.lacey.15-07-2009.frontier Steve Lacey is no stranger to the world of crack cocaine, sex workers and drug dealers – and can take the client there, too 15 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=steve.lacey.15-07-2009.frontier http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=joanne.geere.15-07-2009.newbreed The recession is having an impact on many areas of our professional lives, but for qualitative researchers there is a positive outcome in the form of new and more engaged respondents. This is opening up a range of new research possibilities. 15 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=joanne.geere.15-07-2009.newbreed http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=irwin.hankins.15-07-2009.dragons In this, the latest stop-off on In Brief's worldwide tour, Irwin Hankins contrasts qual in two very different countries: China and Japan 15 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=irwin.hankins.15-07-2009.dragons http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=coleen.sadler.15-07-2009.crunch There are always two sides to a coin. This issue examines how the current crisis has impacted on respondents and recruiters 15 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=coleen.sadler.15-07-2009.crunch http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=teresa.orange.25-05-2009.rights A new book, Consumer Kids, raises issues about the commercialisation of children that need to be addressed 25 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=teresa.orange.25-05-2009.rights http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=sally.whetton.25-05-2009.sensibility If clients seem to be taking an even greater interest in data security these days, says Sally Whetton, there is a reason why 25 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=sally.whetton.25-05-2009.sensibility http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=reshma.anand.25-05-2009.bricolage Reshma Anand canvasses for views on how the TNS/RI merger might impact on the industry. Would traditional qual survive? 25 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=reshma.anand.25-05-2009.bricolage http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=lizzie.haycocks.25-05-2009.engagement I'm sure I'm not unique in my reaction to the Draper-McBride debacle that broke over the Easter weekend. Dismayed, a little saddened – but not wholly surprised. 25 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=lizzie.haycocks.25-05-2009.engagement http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=john.habershon.25-05-2009.decisions How do our emotions help us to make decisions? Malcolm Gladwell in Blink gave us some pretty persuasive examples of how quickly good decisions can be made by the unconscious mind. 25 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=john.habershon.25-05-2009.decisions http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=jo.shaw.25-05-2009.metamorphosis The personal story of a qual researcher who challenged perhaps the biggest assumption of all – to become herself 25 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=jo.shaw.25-05-2009.metamorphosis http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=siamack.salari.26-03-2009.unveiling Siamack Salari discovers that some rules need to be broken, or at least bent, when observing respondents in the Middle East 26 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=siamack.salari.26-03-2009.unveiling http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=sarah.davies.26-03-2009.hiring The way a client views a brand can be completely at odds with how a potential employee does, says Sarah Davies 26 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=sarah.davies.26-03-2009.hiring http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=katie.tait.26-03-2009.scenery Katie Tait advises how employers and potential employees can marry up their respective needs when it comes to filling a post 26 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=katie.tait.26-03-2009.scenery http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=carol.prest.26-03-2009.fluffy Carol Prest explores Aberdeen Journals" use of research, and explains why qual is currently such a difficult internal sell 26 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=carol.prest.26-03-2009.fluffy http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=amy.brewer.26-03-2009.xmas I could tell the AQR "Not the Christmas Party" was going to be memorable from the moment I arrived. We descended the stairs away from the grey, drizzly London night to be greeted by three towering, garishly gorgeous drag queens adorned with a few strategically placed sequins. 26 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=amy.brewer.26-03-2009.xmas http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=ruth.flood.10-03-2009.checklist Buying research is, in a way, like buying any commodity. The purchaser needs to think through, clearly and rationally, what they're looking for and to be open to whatever the market has to offer. Sounds straightforward? Maybe, but many a researcher has spent long meeting hours trying to ascertain exactly what their client is after. 10 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=ruth.flood.10-03-2009.checklist http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=rosie.campbell.10-03-2009.cheerful It's the job of Chair to say forward-looking, uplifting, motivating things and, despite the bombardment of bleak economic news, the outlook is certainly not all bad for the qualitative world. 10 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=rosie.campbell.10-03-2009.cheerful http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=oliver.murphy.10-03-2009.pluspoints Qualitative researchers are probably not the most natural breed for taking orders without quibbling. We are unlikely to think that "Nanny knows best". For many quallies, their idea of a self-regulating industry is one where they decide personally what is right and what is wrong. 10 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=oliver.murphy.10-03-2009.pluspoints http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=louella.miles.10-03-2009.winner This year, 2009, will mark the seventh anniversary of the Prosper Riley-Smith Research Effectiveness Awards. Like the man they were named after, the entries have proved increasingly innovative, challenging, and demonstrably effective. So what's the secret of their success? 10 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=louella.miles.10-03-2009.winner http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=lizzie.horton.10-03-2009.newdirectory You will have noticed that we have made some changes to the Directory. We hope that you like them – agencies, clients and independents alike. 10 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=lizzie.horton.10-03-2009.newdirectory http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=liz.sykes.10-03-2009.quality Mention of quality standards makes most qualitative researchers" eyes glaze over. Yet standards can't be ignored, and it's essential that the AQR is seen as the definitive authority not just on this topic but on all qualitative research issues within the wider world of market research. 10 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=liz.sykes.10-03-2009.quality http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=liz.norman.10-03-2009.salaries Elizabeth Norman International, the international recruitment consultancy, has specialised in the market research sector since 1989. It has conducted a UK salary survey across the industry for a number of years which, at its most basic level, incorporates agency and client-side and quantitative and qualitative salaries by region. 10 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=liz.norman.10-03-2009.salaries http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=katie.tait.10-03-2009.salaries Elizabeth Norman International, the international recruitment consultancy, has specialised in the market research sector since 1989. It has conducted a UK salary survey across the industry for a number of years which, at its most basic level, incorporates agency and client-side and quantitative and qualitative salaries by region. 10 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=katie.tait.10-03-2009.salaries http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=geoff.bayley.10-03-2009.evolution Many of the activities that the AQR arranges for the benefit of members come under the heading of "education" and exactly what falls under this heading is perennially open to debate and change. This article looks at the evolution of the education programme, and what's in store for 2009. 10 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=geoff.bayley.10-03-2009.evolution http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=alan.dickinson.10-03-2009.website Some websites are designed to project a corporate image, others to advertise products. The AQR's has a much broader remit as this article shows, providing an update on its success story. 10 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=alan.dickinson.10-03-2009.website http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=sandra.macleod.08-01-2009.honeymoon It"s a new year, and a new US president. But will the challenges he faces prove insurmountable? 08 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=sandra.macleod.08-01-2009.honeymoon http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=martin.moritz.08-01-2009.crisis Pressure from consumers, upmarket chains and discounters is forcing mid-market brands to fight for survival. By Martin Moritz 08 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=martin.moritz.08-01-2009.crisis http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=john.sayers.08-01-2009.pictures Video and film have come a long way since their inception, says John Sayers, from being research companions to a parallel deliverable 08 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=john.sayers.08-01-2009.pictures http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=goli.lashkari.08-01-2009.qrca AQR newcomer, Goli Lashkari, finds benefits in the exchange of ideas at the AQR/QRCA seminar. 08 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=goli.lashkari.08-01-2009.qrca http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=vaughan.flood.04-11-2008.meltdown Vaughan Flood considers the impact on qual of markets in disarray and plunging house prices 04 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=vaughan.flood.04-11-2008.meltdown http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=stephanie.mccann.04-11-2008.therapy AQR’s Moderating Skills Workshop goes from strength to strength. This time round we offer three very different perspectives on the course. This perspective is jointly written by Stephanie McCann and Becki Harrison of Acumen Fieldwork. 04 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=stephanie.mccann.04-11-2008.therapy http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=sheila.keegan.04-11-2008.qmip The first Qualitative Methods in Psychology (QMiP) conference was held at Leeds University at the beginning of September. It was quite a milestone. Psychology, even in my undergraduate days in the ’70s, was struggling to decide whether it was an art or a science. It is still struggling. 04 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=sheila.keegan.04-11-2008.qmip http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=rina.igual.04-11-2008.upclose Rina Igual offers a very personal view of why ethnography is so useful when researching in the Philippines – and beyond 04 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=rina.igual.04-11-2008.upclose http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=lorraine.jones.04-11-2008.therapy AQR’s Moderating Skills Workshop goes from strength to strength. This time round we offer three very different perspectives on the course, this one from Lorraine Jones of PHD North. 04 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.aqr.org.uk/inbrief/document.shtml?doc=lorraine.jones.04-11-2008.therapy