Guidelines for CRIC members using the Research Verification Service

CRIC Pledge to Canadians

The CRIC Pledge to Canadians highlights the commitment of CRIC member companies to the highest standards when conducting research with Canadians and all CRIC members must fully comply with the pledge.  The CRIC Pledge to Canadians distinguishes requests to participate in research conducted by CRIC member companies from the other requests that Canadians receive.  CRIC member companies are required to include a copy or link to the CRIC Pledge to Canadians on their website.  CRIC member companies are encouraged to include a copy of the CRIC Pledge to Canadians at research facilities and at other locations where they conduct research with Canadians.  CRIC member companies are also encouraged to reference the CRIC Pledge to Canadians when inviting Canadians to participant in research.

CRIC Research Verification Service

The CRIC Research Verification Service allows Canadians to verify the legitimacy of a research project they have been invited to participate in and it also allows Canadians to share their feedback on research.  Together with the CRIC Pledge to Canadians, the Research Verification Service is designed to increase public trust in research and encourage greater participation.

As part of CRIC’s Pledge to Canadians, CRIC member companies are required to register all qualitative and quantitative research projects that invite Canadians to participate in research.  The Research Verification Services is included as a member benefit for all CRIC members. Visit the CRIC Research Verification Service website and login to add projects. The Research Verification Service is also available to non-member companies conducting legitimate research for a fee of $500 for the first project each year and $100 for each additional project. Non-member companies must register first to gain access to the service.

Informing Canadians about the CRIC Pledge to Canadians and the Research Verification Service

By referencing the CRIC Pledge to Canadians and the Research Verification Service when inviting Canadians to participate in research, you are helping our industry differentiate legitimate research requests from the numerous other types of requests that Canadians receive.  At a minimum, all CRIC member companies must include a reference to the research being registered with CRIC for all studies they conduct.  CRIC member companies are also encouraged to inform the public of the CRIC Pledge to Canadians and the Research Verification Service on their websites, on registration forms for signing up for panels and in research invitations.

Examples of how references could be included are provided below based on the research methodology

For online/mobile research

Although not required, CRIC recommends including the RVS Code in invitations to complete surveys online.  It should be visible but care should be taken to ensure it is not confused with the link to complete/continue the survey.

The following text can be displayed in invitations (e-mail/text/other) and/or in browser/app used to deliver the survey:

This research is being conducted by <Company Name>, a CRIC member company that follows the CRIC Pledge to Canadians. This research project is registered with the CRIC Research Verification Service that allows you to verify its legitimacy and share your feedback.  If you have feedback on this research, you can share it by going to: (us link for project with RVS Code embedded)

For live-interviewer phone/in-person (surveys/invitations to participate)

Include in Intro:

The research is being conducted by <COMPANY NAME>.  This project has been registered with the Canadian Research Insights Council.

If concerned expressed about the legitimacy of the research:

This research (survey/focus group/etc.) is registered with the Canadian Research Insight Council’s (CRIC) Research Verification Service.  I can provide you the unique code should you wish to verify this project.  You can also use this code to share your feedback about this research.  (Provide CRIC Research Verification Code and web link if requested-Go to: canadianresearchinsightscouncil.ca/rvs and use the RVS code: ###########.)

For IVR

This research is conducted by <COMPANY NAME> and is registered with the Canadian Research Insights Council.  Please contact <contact name> at <local or toll-free phone and email> for more information. Message must be repeated at end if call is longer than 60 seconds.

Feedback Received through the CRIC Research Verification Service.

Potential research participants can provide feedback to a research company through the CRIC Research Verification Service in three ways.  Feedback can be provided using the CRIC Research Verification Service project code.  This feedback will be sent to the contact name and e-mail address that is associated with the project.  If a potential research participant does not know the Project Code, they can search the Directory of Companies using the CRIC Research Verification Service Code.  Feedback provided without a Project Code will go to the primary contact for the research company.  If a potential research participant doesn’t recall the name of the research company that contacted them, they can also provide feedback to CRIC and CRIC staff will try to identify the company to relay the feedback.

When submitting feedback, potential research participants are asked to indicate if they require a response.  If they have requested a response, it is important that the research company respond promptly (within 2 businesses days) to their feedback.  If they do not require a response, then it is up to the research agency to determine whether a response is warranted.

Regardless of whether a response is warranted, it is essential that research companies sign on to the CRIC Research Verification Service and visit the “Feedback” section under the Companies tab to acknowledge that they have read feedback received.

When more than one research company is involved, who is responsible for registering the project?

CRIC member companies are responsible for ensuring that all research projects inviting Canadians to participate in research that they are involved in are registered with the CRIC Research Verification Service.  The company registering the research project must be named in the invitation and will be responsible for responding to feedback.  This will typically be the company that is conducting the fieldwork. If more than one company is involved in conducting fieldwork, then both companies must register their portion of the research separately.

What if my client does not want a reference to the RVS included in research sent to a client supplied list?

CRIC member companies should encourage their clients to include a reference to the project being registered with CRIC.  If the client refuses to have a reference in the invitation, the project should still be registered with the RVS in case an individual on the list chooses to submit feedback to CRIC about the research project.