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August 2006
Vol. 2 No. 8 |
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What Do THEY Think About Research?
By Patrick Glaser, CMOR Director of Respondent Cooperation |
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Do you ever wonder what the American public thinks about surveys and focus groups?
On the one hand, the survey research profession is determined to invent new ways to improve respondent cooperation. It’s a reaction to the decline in response rates -- something that can both drive up costs and threaten validity.
On the other hand, it’s obvious that the public has interest in surveys, too. After all, individuals have a general desire to express their opinions and a natural curiosity about one another’s opinions. News magazines and newspapers that publish polls reflect this notion. The same goes for the type of unscientific polls found on popular websites in which so many people participate. For the full article, visit this link: http://www.cmor.org/rc/rcResearch.cfm
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By Howard Gershowitz, Mktg., Inc.
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I had the opportunity to spend some time in our nations capital during the last few months, and had a scheduled appointment on Capitol Hill with one of our elected leaders. The purpose of my visit this one day was to visit a NY Congressman that I have known for over 10 years, and introduce him to CMOR's Director of Government Affairs and Counsel, Chris Lee. |
Representative Steve Israel was familiar with my career in marketing research, but I felt that it would be a valuable experience for him to hear from a different perspective the impact that specific negative legislation could have on our industry as a whole, but more importantly the effect that it could have on the vast number of constituents that the Congressman represented in his district.
As we got into a discussion of privacy, and the need to protect the rights of the consumers and at the same time allow the dissemination of valuable information to be used in a constructive manner, it was clear that the Congressman could see the validity of our argument and the value that CMOR could provide in educating him to the issues at hand. Chris Lee represented his knowledge in the area of technology and the web, and offered this expertise to the Congressman going forward on issues that he might offer council. Our meeting ended with the knowledge that we had relayed our message regarding the importance of CMOR and who we represented. We also were pleased to leave the congressman with a resource that he can count on in the future.
I was able to see first hand the value of the personal interaction between our elected leaders and the highly qualified staff that we employ at CMOR. I would suggest that each and every one of us think about contacts that we might have on both the State and Federal side of government. Introduce us to the people you know, and we will do our part in educating these elected officials as to the value of research. More importantly we will offer our expertise as a resource to help them do their job better. |
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| Survey Research and Physician Honoraria: State Level Overview |
| By LaToya Rembert, Esq., State Legislative Coordinator |
| In an effort to prevent drug manufacturers from unduly influencing physicians, several states have passed legislation regulating physician gift-giving related to pharmaceutical marketing. Other states are considering placing monetary limits on gifts to physicians. For example, Massachusetts is considering a ban on all gifts from drug manufacturers to medical professionals. |
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The question for the survey research profession is whether honoraria provided to physicians for survey research activities are considered a gift. At present, the process of conducting surveys and providing honoraria does not appear to be included in the scope of the laws regulating physician gifts.
The Legislative Scope
The American Medical Association (AMA) adopted voluntary ethical guidelines regarding gifts from pharmaceutical companies to physicians in 1990 that were endorsed by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). Some state legislators felt those self-regulatory efforts failed, as ethical violations were still present within the pharmaceutical industry. In response, state legislators began introducing two categories of legislation regarding enforcement of physician gift giving practices.
To read the full article visit this link: http://www.cmor.org/ga/article806.cfm |
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Respective House and Senate appropriations subcommittees have approved bills that are $58.5 million and $50 million less than Census Bureau’s 2007 presidential budget request. Those funds have instead been allocated to support police, the war on drugs and homeland security. At stake are Census Bureau plans to use GPS hand-held computers to collect data, cancellation of group quarters coverage (dormitories, nursing homes, prisons and military barracks) and initiatives to reduce undercounts and overcounts. Final action on Census Bureau appropriations is expected after the November 2006 elections in a lame duck session of Congress.
Last year, CMOR worked in conjunction with AAPOR, MRA, other industry associations, as well as groups who formed the U.S. Census Project, on protecting the 2006 Census Funding (visit this link for the full article). Since the U.S. Census Bureau provides crucial data, records, and other information for a wide array of research-related interests, CMOR worked to protect the Census budget so the research professional can continue to benefit from its critical data.
CMOR recently provided comment on the importance of the Census and its funding http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=68947. We will continue our involvement with the Census Project (which began in 2005) and will work with other stakeholders towards the goal of fully funding the Census Bureau to protect the interests of the research profession. If you have any questions regarding the Census issue, please contact Chris Lee at clee@cmor.org.
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September Is Respondent Cooperation Month! |
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At A Glance:
State and Federal Legislative Activity - August 2006 |
Congress continues consideration of several privacy and identity theft bills. A formal vote on those bills is unlikely to occur until after the 2006 mid-term elections.
Most states have ended their legislative sessions for 2006. However, privacy, identity theft and telephone records bills that were not adopted in 2006 are likely to appear again during the 2007 legislative session.
A few state legislatures are still in session. CMOR continues to monitor and review trends in legislative activity and has action plans to address any unfavorable issues that may arise.
An upcoming edition of the CMOR e-Newsletter will highlight 2006 legislative activity and provide insight on what to anticipate in the upcoming 2007 session. Keep apprised of the latest developments by reading the CMOR e-Newsletter and visiting the CMOR website at www.cmor.org.
Identity Theft
- President Bush withdrew a request for $160.5 million for credit monitoring services for veterans whose names and personal information were on a stolen Department of Veterans Affairs laptop. The FBI recovered the stolen laptop. Computer forensics tests indicate no data was accessed or breached after the laptop was stolen.
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- DE and NC enrolled and adopted legislation to protect consumers, military service members and veterans from identity theft by allowing them to freeze account access to their respective credit reports.
Phishing
- RI adopted legislation to establish criminal provisions for the creation of fraudulent “phishing” web sites that seek to obtain personally identifiable information.
Privacy
Telephone Records
- MI and RI adopted legislation to protect the confidentiality of cellular and telephone records.
- NY introduced legislation that creates an expectation of privacy and confidentiality over the use of cellular and telephone records.
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For more information on advertising in this newsletter, call 860-657-1881 |
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Save the Date!
MRA's Fall Conference and Research Industry Forum
November 8-10, 2006
Sheraton Wild Horse Pass - Phoenix, AZ |
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Information provided in this document are provided for informational purposes only.
It is not intended as or a substitute for legal advice. It is advisable to consult with private legal counsel regarding the interpretation and application of any laws to your business or activities. |
CMOR. Shielding the Profession. |
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