First Research

First Research applies professional standards to all projects undertaken. As a member of the Market Research Society (MRS), we are bound by the MRS Code of Conduct, which also incorporates the ICC/ESOMAR International Code of Marketing and Social Research.

The MRS is the world's largest international membership organisation for professional researchers, and the Code of Conduct applies to all members whether they are engaged in consumer, business to business, social, opinion, international or any other type of confidential research project. It also applies to MRS members when conducting non-market research exercises using research techniques (e.g. database building), and provides an assurance that projects are undertaken in an ethical and professional manner.

Some of the guiding principles:

• Research is founded upon the willing co-operation of respondents
• It must be conducted honestly and objectively, and must not directly try to create sales or influence opinions
• Rights of privacy must be respected and assurances must be made that information will remain confidential to the researcher
• The purpose of the research should be explained and information supplied must not be used for other purposes
• Respondents should be informed of the time necessary for the collection of information
• Research findings must always be reported accurately and never be used to mislead anyone, in any way

The Code of Conduct provides guidelines as to:

• Fieldwork
• Questionnaire design
• Telephone interviewing
• Face to face interviews
• Incentives
• Qualitative research
• Mystery shopping
• Observation studies
• Analysis and reporting
• Data storage

The Code of Conduct and a full list of guidelines, which provides additional best practice guidance, appear on the Society's website.

Data Protection

As well as adhering to the guidelines as set out in the MRS Code of Conduct, First Research is also registered with the Jersey Data Protection Registrar.