CIEEM typically achieves excellent membership retention rates. Last year, for example, 90% of all memberships were renewed overall, and in fact Associate and Full members renewed at a rate of 97% and 98% respectively. Whilst this is welcome news for CIEEM, we are determined that we do not view these renewal statistics as an indication that we are doing everything right. We hope that for most of you, much of what we deliver matches what you expect from us and genuinely benefits you. We are very conscious, however, that this may not always be the case. We seldom have structured opportunities to hear directly from the majority of you, so we plan to offer that now.
So, to help us feel more confident about our plans for membership development in the next operational year and beyond, as well to expand our understanding of how professional ecologists and environmental managers view us, we have engaged specialist research agency Research by Design to conduct a programme of research with members and non-members on our behalf. The insights from the research will help inform future decisions on how CIEEM operates and how we can best support our members and the wider sector.
Research by Design works with clients including the Royal Society of Chemistry, The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI). It operates under the Market Research Society’s (MRS) Code of Conduct, which ensures that research participants’ anonymity is protected, and that information provided is kept strictly confidential.
What’s the plan?
Over the next couple of months, the research programme, which includes an online survey and individual depth interviews (conducted online or via telephone), will begin. The online survey, devised by Research by Design, will be sent to all members (and some non-members) via an email invite containing a link to the survey. Research by Design will then send invitations by email to a proportion of respondents to invite them to participate in the interviews. Please look out for invitations to participate and make time to provide your valuable feedback.
FAQ’s
Research by Design have compiled some frequently asked questions about this work below.
Why is the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management undertaking this research?
The Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) has commissioned independent market research agency, Research by Design to conduct a study to understand how CIEEM is perceived by both members and non-members. This research will help inform CIEEM on how best to engage and support professionals within the sector.
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 CIEEM to undertake research on its behalf.
Research by Design was formed in 1994 and has been working with professional membership organisations for over 30 years. Research by Design adheres to the Market Research Society’s (MRS) guidance, ensuring that all research is undertaken with integrity and necessary safeguarding of information. Contributions to research are strictly confidential and overall findings will always be reported in aggregate.
Research by Design’s website is: https://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 1998 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 1998 and the new Data Protection Bill 2017
- 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 with follow up interviews with selected respondents willing to participate.
The online survey will launch early to mid-September.
Online interviews are expected to take place during October and November.
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@boxsurveys.net.
How is the online survey being undertaken?
The survey is available online with a link sent via email. Reminder emails will be sent at intervals throughout the fieldwork period to help encourage participation. Reminder emails are automated.
Is my anonymity assured?
The survey is anonymous. The link provided in the email invitation is unique to you to ensure the integrity of the results, however, your responses will be submitted directly to Research by Design and the unique identifier will be removed before results are shared with CIEEM.
What if I have not received a link to take the survey?
If you have not received a link to participate in the survey and would like to take part, please contact Jasmine Palin (jpalin@boxdelta.com) in the first instance with your query.
Is the online survey secure?
Respondent data is encrypted in transit (via HTTPS) and is stored encrypted in EU data centres.
How long might the online survey take?
This survey is likely to take around 10 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 Jasmine Palin (jpalin@boxdelta.com) 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.
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 CIEEM about the research, please contact Stuart Parks (stuartparks@CIEEM.net).
To speak to Research by Design about the research, please contact Jasmine Palin (jpalin@boxdelta.com).