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PMR's Editorial philosophy:
"It is only by standing on the shoulders of
giants that I have been able to see further."
Sir Isaac Newton,
1642–1727
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Research Methodology
PMR.Intelligence Research Surveys
PMR is the only publication in southern Africa to base all its awards and
much of its editorial on independent surveys, conducted by PMR.Intelligence.
Most surveys focus on defining customer satisfaction levels by obtaining:
- current client perceptions of the strengths and weaknesses of companies
with whom they conduct business;
- ratings by clients on a scale of 1 to 5 on attributes;
- an overall rating – after full consideration has been given to all key
decision factors.
Unless indicated differently in editorial coverage, the following procedures
are standard.
Standard methodology details and quality assurance
- Telephonic interviews using semi-structured questionnaires
- based on previous surveys to facilitate trend analysis
- updated with input from industry/sector leaders on key decision
factors, attributes, sampling/universe, etc
- no bias in any one area or from a particular player:
- Random samples – the nth person out of the universe – called up to 6 times
if not available;
- Interviews at highest decision-making level with major customers
- i.e. account for substantial part (preferably +60%) of business in
industry reviewed;
- Client names and assessments confidential;
- Interviewer’s conduct and professionalism – minimum 10% backchecks, 20%
often and 100% on new interviewers – calls monitored and/or respondents called
for input;
- 100% of questionnaires checked for input quality, logic and completeness
before data capture, referring back to respondents if necessary (only those
fully-answered are used);
- All stages of data capture, analysis and data interpretation backchecked;
- All rated/nominated companies consulted for endorsement of results’
accuracy;
- 95% confidence level aim in any rankings or ratings released using
statistical tools (weighting, mean scores);
- Niches, names, products, parent companies and other relevant details
verified with appropriate organisations.
Value
Analysed in competitive frames, each survey’s findings are used by PMR
to
a) provide unique and authoritative editorial for PMR readers (SA’s corporate
and government sectors’ leaders and decision-makers) in print and on this
website and links thereto;
b) collate industry research reports which
- enable fast and authoritative competitive SWOT analysis of all rated
companies, trends, etc, to facilitate strategic/tactical decisions
- being based on excellence levels, can be used to persuade/motivate/
influence or change incorrect perceptions of customers, suppliers,
distributors, investors and financiers, staff and key staff sources e.g.
universities, partners with technology and collaborate mergers, tender bids,
etc.
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