Marketing Research Association releases new Best Practices in Recognition of Data Privacy Day 2009.

The Marketing Research Association (MRA) released new best practices for survey and opinion research. These papers feature critical, current guidance vetted by industry leaders and MRA volunteers. Designed as “jumping-off” points, they will help survey and opinion researchers legally and ethically navigate the increasingly complex relationship between researchers, respondents and regulators.

The new one page papers were posted on the MRA Web site in recognition of Data Privacy Day, January 28, 2009. The second annual event will be celebrated in the U.S., Canada and 27 European countries. Data Privacy Day was created to generate discussion about data privacy practices and rights.

Shredding events and academic conferences featuring data privacy topics are just a few of the events that will be taking place on January 28. The U.S. government and other world officials will also take part in Data Privacy Day from a proposed house resolution in support of the event to providing privacy tips to consumers.

MRA’s new best practices papers include information on privacy policies, data disposal, e-mail and spam, the EU data directive and financial privacy. MRA’s Director of Government Affairs, Howard Fienberg, commented, “Protection of consumer and data privacy is the cornerstone of the research business. This worldwide celebration is the perfect occasion to forge new and better relations with respondents and reinforce the research profession’s standing with legislators and regulators.”

All of the MRA best practice one pagers can be found at http://www.cmor.org/ga/bestpractices.cfm>