Qual Association Widens Membership

Members of the US-based Qualitative Research Consultants Association (QRCA) have voted to open up the group to allow more people in the qual research field to join.

The amendment, voted upon and approved by members, opens QRCA's doors to a much wider range of execs involved in the qual sector. This includes research designers, recruiters, insight directors, report writers, analysts, fieldwork firms, technology providers, focus group facility operators, transcriptionists, qualitative research project managers, and anyone who plays a 'significant role' in planning, conducting and completing qual research.

Also approved was a plan to allow discounted memberships to applicants from low GDP countries, and a clarification of which individuals cannot be considered qualified QRCA members - such as advertisers, product manufacturers and individuals who purchase/outsource qual research services. Monica Zinchiak (pictured), QRCA's immediate past President, says the change 'opens the possibility of QRCA membership to more people who are involved in more aspects of supporting the qualitative research industry', and is both 'important, and overdue'.

Web site: www.qrca.org .