The Insights Association, the leading voice for the insights and analytics industry, announces the publication of the Participant Bill of Rights, accompanied by an in-depth report. This groundbreaking initiative underscores IA’s commitment to fostering trust, transparency, and respect between research participants and the profession.
The Participant Bill of Rights establishes a foundational framework that outlines the rights participants should expect in market research studies. This includes the right to clear communication, privacy, freedom from harassment, and fair treatment. These principles aim to enhance the research experience for participants, ultimately bolstering data quality and reliability. Market researchers are encouraged to communicate these rights to participants prior to focus group sessions, and by noting them prominently on company websites, and in survey footers, email solicitations, and research communities. They also should be incorporated into staff training and relayed to clients.
“The Participant Bill of Rights, comprised of 16 fundamental rights people should expect when participating in a research study, is a call to action for the entire insights and analytics community,” said Melanie Courtright, CEO of the Insights Association. “By committing to these standards, we can build a culture of trust that benefits participants and researchers alike.”
The accompanying report explores the vital role participants play in the success of insights-driven projects, emphasizing the importance of positive participant experiences in achieving accurate and actionable data. It also highlights key considerations for implementing the Bill of Rights, such as minimizing survey fatigue, ensuring accessibility, and offering fair incentives.
Key Features of the Participant Bill of Rights:
• Transparency: Participants have the right to know the purpose of the study and how their data will be used.
• Privacy Protection: Commitment to safeguarding personal information and notifying participants of any breaches.
• Equity and Respect: Ensuring studies are free from discrimination and inclusive of diverse perspectives.
• Informed Consent: Clear communication of risks, benefits, and the ability to withdraw at any time.
Why is it Needed?
• To outline critical rights and protections for the people who participate in studies in an ever-evolving landscape as an extension of the Duty of Care section in the Insights Association’s Code of Standards.
• To push the industry’s perspective on participant well-being to the forefront of a new business model that centers on their experience yet maintains high data quality.
• To protect the industry’s participant pool and, subsequently, its insights from erosion due to poor participant experience and growing fraud.
Led by 10K Humans’ Kerry Hecht, the Bill of Rights has been created through collaboration between the Insights Association’s Council for Data Integrity and the insights and analytics industry via several public feedback sessions.
“We’re so thankful to the many volunteers and contributors from across the profession who shared their expertise and good sense in bringing this essential initiative to fruition,” commented Shannon Danzy, IA’s Senior Director of Research Strategy. “The work is far from over, however. To have real impact, the entire profession must embrace the tenets outlined here and incorporate them across each project and interaction.”
Call to Action
The Insights Association urges industry stakeholders – corporate researchers, agencies, and consultancies – to adopt and integrate the Participant Bill of Rights into their practices. Together, we can drive transformative change in data integrity and public trust.
The Participant Bill of Rights – in English and Spanish – as well as the full report are available here.