WHAT IS IQCA?

Interviewer Quality Control Australia (IQCA) is the quality assurance scheme established by the market research industry to ensure that data collection procedures used provide reliable, high quality results. Annual audit reviews of accredited companies are carried out to ensure the standards are maintained and foster a quality assurance culture within the organisation.
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BACKGROUND OF IQCA

Interviewer Quality Control Australia (IQCA) was founded in 1991 to establish a system of quality control for the Australian market research industry. Initial funding was provided by a group of major research buyers. IQCA is now funded by annual subscriptions from companies participating in the scheme. The concept of an industry quality control scheme was backed by the Market Research Society (AMSRS) representing all sections of the industry and by the Association of Market and Social Research Organisations (AMSRO), the representative body for suppliers in the industry. Following the widespread discussions within the industry it was decided to extend quality control measures and develop accreditation systems beyond those administered by IQCA. As a result, the IQCA scheme is now operated by AMSRO.

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BENEFITS OF IQCA:

• Research buyers and users can be confident that fieldwork will be carried out in accordance with industry practice.
• A commitment to high standards in training and supervision of staff and survey administration by member organisations.
• An enhanced reputation of research among respondents and the general public.
• Member organisations are recognised as superior suppliers of fieldwork by adhering to these professional standards that have been set by the market research industry.
• Auditors annually examine the records and procedures of the IQCA member organisations and recommend accreditation for those suppliers who satisfy the standards.
• A cost effective quality assurance that promotes the importance of continuous quality improvement of the smaller part of the industry.

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ENTRY INTO THE IQCA SCHEME:

Companies wishing to participate in the IQCA Scheme must be;

• Companies who conduct Fieldwork (data collection) and or Recruitment only
• Must agree to comply with the AMSRS Code of Professional Behaviour.
• Companies are required to register at least one senior executive as a member of the AMSRS.

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IQCA STANDARDS:

IQCA standards are included in the IQCA Accreditation Manual. They cover four main categories of interviewing:

1. Face to Face Interviewing for:
       a. Door to Door Interviews
       b. Central Location Interviews
       c. Business Interviews
2. Telephone Interviewing
3. Audits and Observational Studies
4. Recruitment for Qualitative Research

IQCA ACCREDITATION:

IQCA research auditors make annual inspections of participating companies’ records to verify compliance with IQCA standards. Qualifying companies are recommended for accreditation and issued with accreditation certificates after approval by Council. Certificates are valid for a 12-month period.

It should be noted that IQCA accreditation certificates show the full extent of accreditation at individual company offices, including the particular categories of accredited research.

Accredited companies may also use the IQCA logo in their promotional materials. The logo does not imply that a company is necessarily accredited in all categories of interviewing and fieldwork procedures - research users may check details with the company or the IQCA office.

A list of companies accredited by IQCA in 2006 is shown on the final page of this section. This list will be revised following the 2007 audit round in the period March-May, 2007. Changes to the list and details of individual company offices' accreditations can be obtained from AMSRO.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT IQCA:

AMSRO Secretariat
Tel: 02 9566 3131
Fax: 02 9571 4944
Email: amsro@amsro.com.au
Web: www.mrqa.com.au

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