The Insights Association called for vigilance and transparency in response to the revelation that a self-described polling firm admitted to the LA Times it distributed fake data on recent state primary elections. The results of these “polls” were widely cited by national media, deceived the public, and possibly skewed election results.
“What happened with Median Strategies wasn’t research; it was fabrication dressed up to look like research,” commented Anita Watkins, CEO of the Insights Association, the leading nonprofit organization representing the market research, insights and analytics industry.
Watkins noted that such distinctions matter. “Deceptive practices in political and public opinion polling pop up from time to time, particularly “push polls,” and legitimate researchers draw a clear ethical line against them. Real insights professionals follow rigorous methodologies, are transparent about how their work is conducted, and are accountable to professional and ethical standards. As a key example, the Insights Association has long emphasized the importance of keeping marketing and market research separate, including clear guidance on avoiding the use of research as a marketing or promotional tool. Insights work has become so valuable that bad actors can seek to imitate it -- and the legitimate industry strives to expose the difference.”
“The Insights Association takes fraud seriously,” Watkins concluded, “whether from bad actors targeting insights work or people/organizations falsely presenting themselves as researchers. Trust is the foundation of our profession, exemplified in the IA Code of Standards and Ethics, and protecting that trust requires transparency, accountability, and consequences for misconduct.”
About the Author
Based in Washington, DC, Howard is the Insights Association's lobbyist for the marketing research and data analytics industry, focusing primarily on consumer privacy and data security, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), tort reform, and the funding and integrity of the decennial Census and the American Community Survey (ACS).
Howard has more than two decades of public policy experience. Before the Insights Association, he worked in Congress as senior legislative staffer for then-Representatives Christopher Cox (CA-48) and Cliff Stearns (FL-06). He also served more than four years with a science policy think tank, working to improve the understanding of scientific and social research and methodology among journalists and policymakers.
Howard is also co-director of The Census Project, a 900+ member coalition in support of a fair and accurate Census and ACS.
He has also served previously on the Board of Directors for the National Institute for Lobbying and Ethics and and the Association of Government Relations Professionals.
Howard has an MA International Relations from the University of Essex in England and a BA Honors Political Studies from Trent University in Canada, and has obtained the Certified Association Executive (CAE), Professional Lobbying Certificate (PLC) and the Public Policy Certificate (PPC).
When not running advocacy for the Insights Association, Howard enjoys hockey, NFL football, sci-fi and horror movies, playing with his dog, and spending time with family and friends.