Doing research in the pandemic introduced new challenges. COVID-19 impact varied vastly by location and geography and across different groups. CRIC agency members tracked marketplace disruption, attitudes and opinions throughout the pandemic, measuring vaccine hesitancy and confidence among Canadians and North Americans and the values that influenced their behaviours. Today, half of all Canadians surveyed (48%) fear contracting Coronavirus, according to Leger. This fear is the lowest it has been since the pandemic started, even as a similar proportion (52%) report anxiety about returning to normal.  

More studies in Canada and abroad repeatedly point to how the urgency of COVID-19 had pushed other issues lower on priority for voters, consumers and businesses. CRIC offers pandemic guidance to support researchers on issues like respondent and staff safety as they adapted and gathered critical insights during the crisis. As businesses and governments consider "vaccine passports" that gain more support among Canadians who travel, Canada's federal, provincial, and territorial Privacy Commissioners offer guidelines on their scope and use in this joint statement. 

At the 76th AAPOR Conference this year (the second consecutive year of virtual conferences) the theme of "Data Collection, Measurement, and Public Opinion During a Pandemic" offered presentations that sought to separate misinformation from fact in the age of COVID as brands, researchers and governments used tried-and-tested methods but also innovation to be accountable to their stakeholders with good and timely data. The accelerated digitization and adoption of online research has enabled researchers to reconsider accessibility and inclusion issues, urging industry participants to review their tools, software and methods in designing accessible research. 

Congratulations to CRIC’s client-side member companies Telus and Bell for being listed among The Globe and Mail’s top Canadian B2B brands for social responsibility. Telus was named for making a positive impact by supporting those with disabilities and vulnerable populations during the pandemic. Bell was also recognized for its support for charitable and community causes including "Bell Let’s Talk" that recently announced new mental health funding. CRIC members continue to offer examples of how leading with ethics and social responsibility empowers business growth. 

Early career success is a steppingstone for new researchers. If you are a Canadian employer of marketing research program graduates, your input is critical to helping assess the training needs and skills required of today's research professionals. Please take the ten-minute industry survey by CRIC member Algonquin College to share your advice on top skills needed for early career success in either English or in French. 

We hope you will keep engaging with our posts on social media as well to stay connected with our membership and other news.

CRIC's Blog 

Events

Upcoming Webinars and Professional Development from CRIC, CAIP Canada, ESOMAR, and UGA/MRII

Featuring:
Thor Olof Philogène, CEO & Co-Founder, Stravito
Tania Poelmann, Enterprise Business Development Manager, Stravito

Strategy Analytics: Navigating the fear factor in consumer choice - Thursday, June 10, 2021, 12 PM EDT

Featuring:
Matt Hester, Senior Director, Consumer Insights Practice Strategy Analytics

Social Networking

Industry Early Career Skills Survey 

Careers: Job Postings

Take Advantage of CRIC Member Benefits

Research Spotlight

Most Canadians Support Vaccine Passports 

Canadians Support Rising Interest Rates on Homes

"Brain freeze" Affects Working Mothers Disproportionately

Delivering Frictionless Commerce with Online Grocery

Three Traits of Successful Insights Enterprises

Bracing for an Emptier Planet 

2021 Trends in Marketing Research

Towards Inclusivity in Research

Competition Winners

Credentials and Education

Partners