Demoscope closed Winterthur phone lab after internal investigation
After reports of fabricated interviews came to light, the market research firm Demoscope commissioned an investigation and closed a call center in Winterthur. The VSMS (Association of Swiss Market and Social Researchers) is satisfied with the results.
Following the discovery of falsified interviews, the market research company Demoscope commissioned an investigation and closed a telephone laboratory in Winterthur. The VSMS (Association of Swiss Market and Social Researchers) is satisfied with the results. The consumer magazine K-Tipp reported on manipulation at Demoscope at the beginning of May: It was said that employees had to fill out questionnaires themselves at the behest of their superiors or falsify socio-demographic information (see
). An investigation carried out by Demoscope together with an external lawyer, apparently even before the report, showed that a large number of interviews had in fact been falsified over a long period of time or in some cases factually fabricated with the knowledge of supervisors. The main reasons for this were management and control errors that had led to clear violations of internal directives. The VSMS wrote this in a press release on Tuesday. Demoscope has informed the clients concerned directly. It has succeeded in identifying the misleading interviews and correcting the results of the time series surveys retrospectively, the press release continues. On this basis, Demoscope was able to reach an agreement with the clients.
Demoscope's internal investigations were concluded in mid-April. Shortly afterwards, the Board of Directors ordered the closure of the telephone laboratory and dismissed all management staff. The institute has two other laboratories in Adligenswil and Geneva. Interestingly, the market research institute did not mention the internal investigation to K-Tipp, which reported on the abuses on May 7 - or K-Tipp did not publish this part of the statement. The article in question had already mentioned the closure of the Winterthur laboratory.
The VSMS had been informed by Demoscope in the meantime. The Executive Committee appointed a working group to monitor the handling of the matter in contact with the market researcher and report on progress within the association. According to the press release, the Executive Committee's working group considers the measures taken to be timely and effective. However, the association apparently wants to prevent further abuses: it intends to press ahead with the quality and controlling initiative that has already been launched. Systematic controls are to be expanded and become an industry standard. The VSMS intends to present its members with a package of appropriate measures within a year. The aim is to prevent another "Winterthur case".
). An investigation carried out by Demoscope together with an external lawyer, apparently even before the report, showed that a large number of interviews had in fact been falsified over a long period of time or in some cases factually fabricated with the knowledge of supervisors. The main reasons for this were management and control errors that had led to clear violations of internal directives. The VSMS wrote this in a press release on Tuesday. Demoscope has informed the clients concerned directly. It has succeeded in identifying the misleading interviews and correcting the results of the time series surveys retrospectively, the press release continues. On this basis, Demoscope was able to reach an agreement with the clients.
Demoscope's internal investigations were concluded in mid-April. Shortly afterwards, the Board of Directors ordered the closure of the telephone laboratory and dismissed all management staff. The institute has two other laboratories in Adligenswil and Geneva. Interestingly, the market research institute did not mention the internal investigation to K-Tipp, which reported on the abuses on May 7 - or K-Tipp did not publish this part of the statement. The article in question had already mentioned the closure of the Winterthur laboratory.
The VSMS had been informed by Demoscope in the meantime. The Executive Committee appointed a working group to monitor the handling of the matter in contact with the market researcher and report on progress within the association. According to the press release, the Executive Committee's working group considers the measures taken to be timely and effective. However, the association apparently wants to prevent further abuses: it intends to press ahead with the quality and controlling initiative that has already been launched. Systematic controls are to be expanded and become an industry standard. The VSMS intends to present its members with a package of appropriate measures within a year. The aim is to prevent another "Winterthur case".
