Market research is integral to shaping business strategies and understanding consumer and public needs. Apprentices in this field undertake various responsibilities to support the creation, execution, and analysis of research projects. VQ Solutions offers a comprehensive Market Research Executive Apprenticeship that prepares apprentices for these tasks with a hands-on, structured learning approach over 15 months.
Duty 1: Research Project Design
Apprentices begin by investigating the objectives of research projects. They explore the needs of customers and citizens to aid in designing effective research projects. This involves developing cost proposals and selecting research methodologies that align with business objectives, ensuring that every project starts with a solid foundation.
Duty 2: Support Research Teams
Supporting research teams involves coordinating with various service providers, both internal and external. Apprentices learn to maintain relationships with data processors, analysts, translators, and client agencies. This collaboration is essential for running research projects throughout their lifecycle.
Duty 3: Preparation of Research Materials
Once a research proposal has been approved, apprentices organise and prepare the necessary research materials. This includes everything from questionnaires and discussion guides to briefing notes for interviewers. This preparation is essential for collecting accurate and relevant data.
Duty 4: Analysis of Previous Research
Apprentices also engage in summarising and evaluating existing research reports. This duty helps identify trends and new areas of interest while ensuring compliance with ethical and legal standards, such as those set by the Market Research Society’s code of conduct.
Duty 5: Data Collection
The apprenticeship teaches apprentices to capture and prepare primary research data using digital and traditional methods. Techniques like vox pops, observational studies, and pilot surveys are part of this learning, providing apprentices with a broad skill set in data collection.
Duty 6: Desk Research
Undertaking desk research into secondary data sources forms a core part of an apprentice’s duties. They explore various publications, online archives, and cultural resources to gather data that supports the research objectives.
Duty 7: Participant Database Management
Managing databases of participants is another critical area where apprentices learn to check, monitor, and screen processes used in participant recruitment. This ensures a reliable database for future research projects.
Duty 8: Data Analysis
The structure and analysis of participant data effectively are key. Apprentices learn to format data into tables, perform sentiment analysis, and prepare data for client reporting, ensuring that insights are communicated.
Duty 9: Data Validation
Validating previously collected data is essential to ensure its accuracy and suitability for analysis. Apprentices use statistical and social science methods to perform these checks, thus upholding the quality of research data.
Duty 10: Reporting Research Findings
Finally, apprentices prepare detailed research reports. They consider the most effective data presentation methods, such as graphs and charts in PowerPoint presentations or Word reports. These reports detail the findings and provide strategic recommendations for clients.
Conclusion
VQ Solutions offers a Market Research Executive Apprenticeship that stands out in preparing candidates for this dynamic role. This Level 4 programme, spread over 15 months, combines access to an award-winning Learning Management System (LMS) with over 30 live, tutor-led online lessons. Apprentices are supported throughout by a course mentor, enriching their learning journey. Through this apprenticeship, individuals learn to execute and lead research projects and make impactful contributions that drive business and policy decisions. This programme stands out for its depth, providing a strong foundation for a career in market research.
