Shelton, Connecticut, USA, October 14, 2009 - Survey Sampling International (SSI) announces that after thorough review, the company is endorsing the ARF's recently announced QeP initiative for the enhancement of quality in online research.

"What ARF created is a big step forward for quality management within this part of the industry," said Kees de Jong, CEO of SSI. "It is a thorough piece of work and thinking, and it deserves the recognition it needs to be successful."

The ARF initiative is based on a significant amount of research into what affects data quality online. It focuses on the basic processes and metrics of conducting online research, and emphasizes transparency between client and supplier.

"We believe this should be only the beginning," said Kees. "Next steps might be around alignment with ESOMAR guidelines and ISO auditing. But the main issue remains that much of the online quality problem rests with poorly designed questionnaires, lengthy and boring interviews, expedited field times, and inadequate thought being given to sample design. Now that we are coming to grips with the data collection process, we believe a similar initiative is warranted in these areas as well."

"Quality assurance in online research has to address the entire process," Kees continued. "It is certainly not to be had merely through the application of technology or the creation of an industry database of 'bad' respondents. Let's give respondents the chance to be 'good' for a change!"

To continue the conversation on how to help research participants become more engaged in quality surveys, SSI encourages researchers to join Research Voice. For more information, please visit www.research-voice.com.

About Survey Sampling International
Survey Sampling International is the premier global provider of sampling solutions for survey research. SSI offers access to more than 6 million consumer and business-to-business research respondents in 54 countries via Internet, telephone, and mobile. Additional client services include custom profiling, survey programming and hosting, data processing, sampling consulting, and survey optimization.

SSI serves more than 1,800 clients worldwide, including three-quarters of the top researchers. Founded in 1977, SSI has an international staff of 400 people representing 50 countries and 36 languages. The company has 17 offices worldwide in Beijing, Frankfurt, La Quinta (CA), London, Madrid, Mexico City, Mumbai, Paris, Rotterdam, Seoul, Shanghai, Shelton (CT), Singapore, Stockholm, Sydney, Tokyo, and Toronto, with additional representatives in Hong Kong. For more information, email info@surveysampling.com.