Introduction

This international award, first presented in 2003, is organised annually by the ASC in association with the MRS. It is awarded for outstanding innovation in the application of software or technology to market, opinion and social research in achieving greater effectiveness in research. The award aims to bring deserved prominence and greater recognition to those whose excellence in the application of technology is making an outstanding contribution to research effectiveness. Entry to the award is open to to any individual, group of individuals or companies that consider the technology he/she/they have developed meets the entry criteria. For the purpose of this award, technology will be considered as any computer software, hardware, equipment or device that has either been developed or adapted specifically for market, opinion and social research.

As the award is for technology effectiveness, it is important that the benefits of this technology can be demonstrated as having been attained in a real life research situation, in either market research, opinion research or social research, and that the technology is applicable to other situations which will provide a wider or more lasting benefit.

The award is judged by a panel of industry experts and is presented to the company or individual considered to have achieved the highest level of excellence in creating technology that promotes and improves research effectiveness. Judging will take place in two stages. In the first stage, candidates will be invited to enter a written award submission to explain the technology, its application, and describe the benefits it has brought in such a way as to provide evidence of the technology’s overall effectiveness. In the second stage, judges will examine the technology and carry out enquiries among the beneficiaries of the technology.

Entries for the 2010 award are invited in June. The shortlist of finalists for the prize will be announced at the ASC Conference on 30th September 2010 and then evaluated in-depth by the judges. The winner will be announced at the MRS Research Excellence & Effectiveness Awards held in London on the evening of 13th December 2010.

To download the entry pack click here.

ASC / MRS Technology Award Winner 2009

The 2009 ASC / MRS Technology Award 2009 was presented to QSR for their NVivo8 Software.

The Award was presented at the MRS Research Excellence & Effectiveness Awards Dinner held in London on 14th December 2009. Chair of the judging committee AJ Johnson presented the award to Sarah Taylor of QSR. 

The other finalist and runner-up was Cint for Cint Automated Tracker (CAT). Stephen Hughes of Cint was presented with a certificate.

Both award finalists were guests of the ASC, joining the ASC table at the awards ceremony and dinner.