Since 2016 experts from around the globe have been updating ISO 20252, the main ISO standard for research.  Work is nearing completion and the new standard should be issued in early 2019. The new ISO 20252 standard will be significantly different from the current 2012 version and businesses certified to the current standard should start to make themseleves familar with the changes, which include:
  • Integration of the mandatory requirements from the other two research standards:
    • ISO 26362: 2009, Access Panels in Market, Opinion and Social Research – Vocabulary and Service Requirements
    • ISO 19731: 2017, Digital Analytics and Web Analyses for Purposes of Market, Opinion and Social research – Vocabulary and Service Requirements
  • Restructure of the ’core requirements’ of the standard
  • Differentiation of the core requirements from the methodology specific requirements
  • Removal of duplication where it existed
  • Creation of new Annexes for specific methodologies
  • Addition of requirements for new and emerging issues such as data analytics, automation and so on.
  • Clarification that organisations’ undertake certification to relevant Annexes which are appropriate to business activities
Every business certified to the ISO standard will have to comply with the core requirements and at least one of the Annexes.  The new Annexes are:
  • Annex A —Sampling including access panels
  • Annex B —Fieldwork
  • Annex C —Physical observation
  • Annex D —Digital observation
  • Annex E —Self completion
  • Annex F —Data management and processing
To help practitioners and businesses MRS has issued a webinar summarising the proposed changes prepare for the changes.  The webinar is available via the MRS website and the ISO website. Debrah_Harding Debrah Harding Managing Director, MRS 22nd August 2018

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