Short Articles about Qualitative Research

Stand up for their rights, by Teresa Orange
A new book, Consumer Kids, raises issues about the commercialisation of children that need to be addressed (May 2009)

Data: Sense and Sensibility, by Sally Whetton
If clients seem to be taking an even greater interest in data security these days, says Sally Whetton, there is a reason why (May 2009)

Bricolage to standardisation, by Reshma Anand
Reshma Anand canvasses for views on how the TNS/RI merger might impact on the industry. Would traditional qual survive? (May 2009)

The New Rules of Engagement, by Lizzie Haycocks
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. (May 2009)

Countdown to a decision, by John Habershon
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. (May 2009)

Swimming in a different river, by Jo Shaw
The personal story of a qual researcher who challenged perhaps the biggest assumption of all – to become herself (May 2009)

The key to unveiling, by Siamack Salari
Siamack Salari discovers that some rules need to be broken, or at least bent, when observing respondents in the Middle East (March 2009)

Hiring: the bigger picture, by Sarah Davies
The way a client views a brand can be completely at odds with how a potential employee does, says Sarah Davies (March 2009)

Fancy a change of scenery? by Katie Tait
Katie Tait advises how employers and potential employees can marry up their respective needs when it comes to filling a post (March 2009)

Is Qual too "fluffy" for press? by Carol Prest
Carol Prest explores Aberdeen Journals" use of research, and explains why qual is currently such a difficult internal sell (March 2009)

Revels at "Not the Christmas Party", by Amy Brewer
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. (March 2009)

Research Buying Checklist, by Ruth Flood
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. (March 2009)

Reasons to be Cheerful, by Rosie Campbell
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. (March 2009)

Plus Points of the MRSB, by Oliver Murphy
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. (March 2009)

Profile of a Winner, by Louella Miles
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? (March 2009)

Using the New Directory, by Lizzie Horton
You will have noticed that we have made some changes to the Directory. We hope that you like them – agencies, clients and independents alike. (March 2009)

Checking Out Quality, by Liz Sykes
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. (March 2009)

How Much Do You Earn? by Liz Norman
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. (March 2009)

How Much Do You Earn? by Katie Tait
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. (March 2009)

Constant State of Evolution, by Geoff Bayley
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. (March 2009)

Website with Added Value, by Alan Dickinson
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. (March 2009)

Is the honeymoon over so soon? by Sandra Macleod
It"s a new year, and a new US president. But will the challenges he faces prove insurmountable? (January 2009)

Crisis in the high street, by Martin Moritz
Pressure from consumers, upmarket chains and discounters is forcing mid-market brands to fight for survival. By Martin Moritz (January 2009)

What's a picture worth? by John Sayers
Video and film have come a long way since their inception, says John Sayers, from being research companions to a parallel deliverable (January 2009)

AQR at the QRCA, by Goli Lashkari
AQR newcomer, Goli Lashkari, finds benefits in the exchange of ideas at the AQR/QRCA seminar. (January 2009)