ETHICSMarket Trends Research is strongly committed to honest and ethical business practices. Part of this committment is our adherence to the ethical guidelines of the Qualitative Research Consultant's Association and the Institute for Management Consultants.
Code of Ethics of the Institute of Management Consultants
Clients
1. We will serve our clients with integrity, competence, and objectivity.
2. We will keep client information confidential and will use proprietary client information only with the client's permission.
3. We will not take advantage of confidential client information for ourselves or our firms.
4. We will not allow conflicts of interest which provide a competitive advantage to one client through our use of confidential information from another client who is a direct competitor without our client's permission.Engagements
5. We will only accept assignments for which we are qualified by our experience and competence.
6. We will assign staff to assignments in accord with their experience, knowledge, and expertise.
7. We will immediately acknowledge any influences on our objectivity to our clients and offer to withdraw from an assignment when our objectivity or integrity may be impaired.Fees
8. We will agree independently and in advance on the basis for our fees and expenses and will charge fees and expenses that are reasonable, legitimate, and commensurate with the services we deliver and the responsibility we accept.
9. We will disclose to our clients in advance any fees or commissions that we will receive for equipment, supplies, or services we recommend to our clients.Profession
10. We will respect the intellectual property rights of our clients, other consulting firms, and sole practitioners, and will not use proprietary information or methodology without permission.
11. We will not advertise our services in a deceptive manner and will not misrepresent the consulting profession, consulting firms, or sole practitioners.
12. We will report violations of this Code of Ethics.
Code of Ethics of the Qualitative Research Consultants Association [QRCA]
As a QRCA Member, Market Trends Research, Inc. agrees to abide by the following principles:
1. To conduct qualitative research in a professional manner, and to strive at all times to ensure that respondent recruiting, analysis, and report preparation meet high standards of excellence.
2. To avoid discriminatory practices in respondent selection. Unless clearly justified by the research project, members will not arbitrarily exclude participants based on age, sex, race, religion, or physical appearance.
3. To represent honestly their professional credentials, academic degrees, research experience and client lists.
4. Not to misrepresent their credentials in order to secure or maintain membership in QRCA, nor to assert or imply that QRCA membership is evidence of accreditation or endorsement.
5. Not to offer or accept kickbacks or other favors in return for research business.
6. To respect client and respondent confidentiality, and not to reveal proprietary research findings to others without explicit client approval.
7. To use qualitative research procedures only for legitimate research purposes, and not, for example, as a ruse for product promotion.
8. To treat respondents with respect and consideration, and at all times to conduct themselves in such a manner as to reflect favorably on the profession which they represent.
9. To support the QRCA Charter and Bylaws, and to endeavor to further QRCA's key objective: to enhance the professionalism of qualitative research.
Market Trends Research Incorporated
303-823-5811 / 727-421-6214
info@MarketTrendsResearch.com
© 2000-2007 Market Trends Research Inc.