Strong fieldwork is the foundation of strong research.
Before you brief a fieldwork agency, it’s worth checking whether they can genuinely support your project, protect your data and deliver participants or data you can rely on. These are some questions you should ask to enable you to separate a true partner from a supplier.
Here are some suggested questions.
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Who will manage my project from start to finish?
You should expect named senior project management from briefing to debrief. Not a new face at every stage. One person who:
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- Understands your objectives in detail
- Maintains continuity throughout the project
- Spots issues early because they know the context
- Saves you time because you never have to repeat information
If you’re constantly re explaining your project, you’re not getting project management.
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What quality and data integrity accreditations do you hold?
Quality standards matter because they show how seriously an agency takes data security, participant welfare and overall project management.
Ask specifically about:
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- ISO 27001 – The internationally recognised standard for information security management. Demonstrates that an agency has robust processes in place to protect client data, participant information and business systems, with regular audits to ensure compliance.
- MRS Company Partner – Shows a commitment to the professional standards set by the UK Market Research Society, including ethical research practices, participant welfare, transparency and data protection.
- RAS (Recruiter Accreditation Scheme) – Specific to qualitative recruitment. Indicates that recruiters have been independently assessed against recognised best-practice standards for participant recruitment, screening and project management.
- MRS Fair Data – Demonstrates a commitment to collecting and using data responsibly, ensuring participants are treated fairly, informed appropriately, and their data is handled transparently and securely.
- GDQ (Global Data Quality Excellence Pledge) – An industry initiative focused on improving research data quality. Signatories commit to actively tackling issues such as fraudulent respondents, poor-quality data, survey bots and AI-generated responses.
While accreditations alone don’t guarantee a successful project, they provide reassurance that an agency has invested in recognised standards, independent audits and robust processes designed to protect both the quality of your data and the experience of your participants.
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How do you communicate when things change?
Because things will change. Participants drop out. Quotas shift. Timelines move.
You want an agency that is:
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- Proactive, not reactive
- Transparent, not defensive
- Focused on solutions, not excuses
You should hear from them before a problem becomes a crisis.
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What does your problem solving look like in practice?
Every experienced fieldwork partner has handled difficult situations. They should be able to explain how.
Look for:
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- Calm, senior judgement
- Clear decision making
- Practical, experience based solutions
- No blame shifting
A good agency has seen it before and knows what to do next.
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What exactly will you deliver for qual and quant?
This is where expectations may differ, so clarity matters.
For qualitative projects, your agency should deliver:
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- High quality, well screened participants
- Accurate profiling
- Smooth logistics and communication
For quantitative projects, your agency should deliver:
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- Reassurance in terms of quality of participants
- Bespoke data outputs aligned to your project
You’re not buying generic data. You’re buying data that is shaped to your needs and ready for analysis.
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How do you maintain sample and data quality throughout the project and what recommendations will you make along the way?
This is where experienced agencies stand out.
Ask how they:
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- Validate participants
- Monitor quotas and progress
- Handle issues without disrupting timelines
- Recommend adjustments when feasibility, timings or sample integrity need protecting
- Deliver clean, bespoke data outputs, including tabulations and additional cuts once analysis has begun
This is what keeps fieldwork on track and data accurate.
How Face Facts Delivers on All of This
Face Facts has been recognised by the Market Research Society for the quality of our work, with multiple nominations at the MRS Oppies and category wins that reflect the strength of our project management, participant quality and operational standards. These awards matter because they are judged by industry peers who understand what reliable fieldwork really looks like. They confirm that the way we work is not just effective for clients, but respected across the sector.
Face Facts is built around the exact standards outlined above. We don’t just agree with these expectations, we operate by them.
- Named senior project management: You work with one key experienced project manager (with a team behind them) from briefing to delivery. No handovers. No gaps. No repetition.
- Recognised quality accreditations: Our ISO 27001 certified, MRS Partners, RAS accredited company, Fair Data and GDQ credentials demonstrate our commitment to data security, participant welfare and project management.
- Proactive communication: You hear from us before issues escalate. We flag risks early, explain options clearly and keep projects moving.
- Experienced problem solving: Our team has seen most scenarios before. We act quickly, calmly and transparently, providing solutions.
- Clear, reliable deliverables: For qual, we provide high quality participants and smooth logistics. For quant, our quality checks mean we deliver clean, bespoke data outputs, including tabulations and additional cuts once analysis has begun.
- Quality protection and practical recommendations: Throughout the project, we monitor feasibility, sample integrity and timelines and we make practical recommendations whenever they’re needed to protect the outcome.
Face Facts doesn’t just deliver fieldwork. We deliver confidence.