Category: Blog
What Translation Cannot Fix in Research
10th April 2026
Translation plays a critical role in international research. It ensures that questions are understood, that responses are captured accurately and that insight can move between markets. But translation has limits. And some of the most common challenges in global research cannot be solved by translation at all. The Problem Starts Earlier Many research issues originate… Read more »
Why the Most Obvious Answer Is Often the Least Reliable
7th April 2026
In research, obvious answers are reassuring. They feel clear. Immediate. Intuitive. When respondents agree quickly, or when patterns emerge without resistance, it creates confidence that the question has worked and the insight is sound. In international research, this confidence can be misplaced. Obvious to Whom? What feels “obvious” is rarely universal. It is shaped by:… Read more »
Why “Easy” Questions Are Often the Most Misleading
1st April 2026
In research, simplicity is often treated as a virtue. Questions are shortened, language is simplified and complexity is removed, all in the pursuit of clarity and ease of response. The assumption is straightforward: if a question is easy to answer, the data will be reliable. In international research, the opposite is often true. Ease Encourages… Read more »
Why “Clear” Questions Still Produce Confusing Answers
25th March 2026
In research, clarity is often treated as the objective. Questions are refined, simplified and tested to ensure they are easy to understand. The assumption is straightforward: if a question is clear, the answers will be reliable. In international research, this assumption does not always hold. A question can be perfectly clear, and still produce confusing… Read more »
The Reassurance That Is Not: Why Back-Translation Can Mislead
24th March 2026
Back-translation has become something of a standard reassurance in international research. The process is straightforward: translate your survey into the target language, then have a separate translator render it back into English. If the two English versions match, the translation is deemed sound. It is a logical step. It is also, on its own, an… Read more »
What the Numbers Do Not Tell You
18th March 2026
In quantitative research, the numbers are supposed to speak for themselves. Percentages are compared. Indices are built. Confidence intervals are calculated. The data is clean, the methodology is sound and the report is delivered. But in international research, there is a question that often goes unasked: Did all respondents understand the scale the same way?… Read more »
When the Conversation Continues
11th March 2026
Yesterday’s Market Research Society Annual Conference brought together researchers from across the industry to explore the evolving challenges and opportunities facing the profession. Throughout the day, presentations examined methodology, innovation and the future direction of market research. But as is often the case, some of the most valuable exchanges occurred after the formal programme had… Read more »
Where Research Conversations Continue
9th March 2026
Research conferences are designed to concentrate ideas. Across a day of presentations, panels and discussion, new methods are explored, emerging challenges are debated and the future direction of the industry is considered. But the work of understanding rarely finishes when the final session ends. At the Market Research Society Annual Conference today, the formal programme… Read more »
What Gets Said Between Sessions Often Matters More Than What Is On Stage
4th March 2026
“I’m not convinced that question travelled well.” “Our respondents answered, but I’m not sure they meant what we think.” “That finding doesn’t quite align with how people spoke locally.” These are not weaknesses in research. They are signs of rigour. Language Surfaces Late, But Decisively In international research, language issues rarely announce themselves early. They… Read more »
Why the Best Research Conversations Happen After the Conference
2nd March 2026
Conferences are where ideas are presented. But understanding often emerges after the final slide. At the Market Research Society Annual Conference 2026, the programme will rightly focus on methods, innovation and the future of our sector. Yet some of the most valuable research conversations will happen later, informally, reflectively and without an agenda. That is… Read more »
