An orchestra cannot play without a conductor. Without a conductor, the musicians would be nothing more than soloists, certainly excellent individually, but incapable of playing a symphony together.
In the same way, a network of Public Opinion and Market Research agencies will only be a reality if it is run by a Coordination Centre separate from these legal entities. It is this independence, and the quality of the communication it establishes, that will guarantee the neutrality of the evaluation of the institutes’ work, and more specifically the monitoring of compliance with the instructions given to network members.
In fact, conducting multi-country public opinion surveys is a complex undertaking filled with challenges. Differences in language, culture, and market dynamics often pose significant obstacles, necessitating the assistance of a range of market research agencies. Therefore, the need for a single, independent coordination centre is absolutely crucial to the successful execution of these surveys. As a Coordination Centre, Demoscopy acts as the lead of a carefully selected network of market research agencies, creating synergies and ensuring the harmonious functioning of the entire research project.
Let’s highlight 5 key roles of a Coordination Centre in the execution of Multi-Country Projects.
- Advisor in Methodological Issues and Questionnaire Design
The coordination centre plays a vital role in guiding clients designing meaningful methodologies and questionnaire designs that are culturally appropriate and relevant to the specific international context the project is taking place in. This includes ensuring that questions are translated correctly and that they resonate with local audiences, while still maintaining the overall objective of the survey.
- Defining Coherent Instructions
A key function of the coordination centre is to provide clear and consistent instructions to all partner agencies involved in the project. This ensures that every agency is on the same page and working towards the same goal, preventing any miscommunication or divergence from the project’s objectives.
- Monitoring and Management of Project Execution
The coordination centre is responsible for overseeing the entire research project from start to finish. This includes monitoring the progress of the survey, ensuring that all deadlines are met, and that the project stays within budget. It also involves managing any issues that may arise during the course of the survey and ensuring that they are resolved promptly.
- Data Controller and Aggregator
Once the survey is completed, the coordination centre takes on the role of data controller and aggregator. This involves collecting and analysing the data gathered by the various partner agencies, ensuring that it is representative, accurate and reliable.
- Sole Entity Responsible Towards the Client
Finally, the coordination centre is the sole entity responsible towards the client. This means that the client has a single point of contact, simplifying the communication process and ensuring that the client receives unified and coherent data sets and reports that meet their needs.
The role of an independent coordination centre in multi-country public opinion surveys cannot be overstated. The coordination centre acts as the linchpin that holds the entire project together, ensuring that everything runs smoothly and that the final results are of the highest quality.
By creating synergies and providing expert guidance, Demoscopy guarantees the success of the research project, ultimately benefiting both the client and our partner agencies involved.
