RCoA Research FAQs
FAQs for the RCoA satisfaction survey
Why is the RCoA undertaking this research?
The RCoA is inviting its fellows and members to share with their views via the 2025 membership survey. The College last undertook a full membership survey in 2020, and since then, the College has navigated several challenges. Additionally, the current College strategy runs until 2027, and it is recognised that 2025 is an ideal time to invite the views of fellows and members of the College to contribute their views at this important time.
What assurances do I have that Research by Design is a bona fide market research company?
Research by Design is an independent market research company that has been commissioned by the RCoA to undertake research on its behalf. Research by Design operates under the Market Research Society’s (MRS) Code of Conduct, which ensures that research participants’ anonymity is protected. Research by Design is part of Box Delta Insights.
The RCoA has worked alongside Research by Design previously on many research projects.
Research by Design’s website is: http://www.researchbydesign.com/
What about data protection?
Research by Design is registered as a Data Controller to undertake research in any field, including market, health, lifestyle, scientific or technical research, under the UK GDPR, the EU GDPR, and the Data Protection Act 2018 as applicable; registration number Z5405593.
Research by Design is committed to meeting the requirements of the following laws and codes:
- The UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR)
- The EU General Data Protection Regulation (EU GDPR)
- Data Protection Act 2018
- ICC/ESOMAR (European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research) International Code on Market and Social Research
You can review Research by Design’s privacy policy here: Privacy Policy.
What type of research has been commissioned?
An online survey has been commissioned.
Is the online survey secure?
Respondent data is encrypted in transit (via HTTPS) and is stored encrypted in EU data centres.
How will I be invited to participate in the online survey?
Research by Design will send an email invitation to ask for your participation in the survey. You can verify the validity of the email by checking the ‘from’ address, which will be [email protected].
What if I am a member and have not received a link to take the survey?
If you are a member of the RCoA and have not received a link to participate in the survey, please contact the Membership Engagement team ([email protected]) in the first instance with your query.
How is the online survey being undertaken?
The survey is available online with a link sent to each member individually. Reminder emails will be sent at intervals throughout the fieldwork period to help encourage participation. Reminder emails are automated, and the RCoA will not know who has participated in the research and who has chosen not to.
How long might the online survey take?
The survey is likely to take around 15-20 minutes to complete, but this does depend on the answers you provide and the number of comments you wish to make.
Can I re-enter the online survey to make amendments or continue where I left off?
Each survey session contains a device-specific cookie which remembers your choices should you leave and return to the survey if you have not submitted your response. Each time you move to a new page of the survey your responses are saved.
Once you have submitted the survey, amendments are not possible; if you wish to make revisions once you have pressed ‘submit’, please contact Maisie Willmoth-Allsop ([email protected]) at Research by Design to discuss the options available.
How do I return my survey to Research by Design?
Once you have reached the final page of the survey you will be provided with a submit button at the bottom of the page. Your responses will be sent automatically to Research by Design. If you do not complete the survey, then your saved answers may still be used in the analysis as a partial response.
How will my responses be used?
All responses from the online survey will be aggregated and reported together. Free text insights will be reported thematically. All responses will remain anonymous. Specific comments will not be attributed to any individual.
For those who wish to speak to the RCoA about the research, please contact Emily Worth, Head of Membership Engagement via [email protected].
To speak to Research by Design about the research, please contact Maisie Willmoth ([email protected]).
