Call for Papers

As the pace of change accelerates across an expanding spectrum of platforms, technologists in the market research industry are hard-pressed to stay ahead of the curve.

That's why industry professionals rely on the CASRO Technology Conference to learn how to implement the latest, most effective technologies in the market research space.

For years this event has been broadly acclaimed for featuring detailed explanations and demonstrations of real world solutions and collaboration among companies.

With an open "Call for Papers" focused on the most vital topics, presentations are chosen by an objective committee of expert practitioners for their value and applicability. Once again, CASRO is challenging our industry to add to the body of knowledge by submitting topics by Friday, February 10, 2012 that demonstrate practical applications put into production and impartial assessments of emerging technologies that impact important IT, research and business issues, including the following:

Paper Topics

Data Visualization and Storytelling

Clients crave market research data with a pulse. They want to see different concepts woven together into a pertinent, actionable story that relates to the bigger picture and retains the interest of senior decision makers. Too often we generate dull, boring PowerPoint decks to deliver our results. Are there data visualization tools to better engage our audience? Are online reporting dashboards sufficient in communicating results?

Big Data

There's a lot of talk across all businesses about "Big Data", however it remains a rather abstract topic, especially in the market research industry. What makes "Big Data" valuable also makes it a challenge to manage. That is its sheer scope and size on three fronts (as noted by IBM): Variety - it extends beyond structured data to include text, audio, video, click streams, log files and more; Velocity - often time-sensitive, it must be used as it is streaming into the enterprise to maximize value; Volume - Big data comes in one size: large; and enterprises are already awash with data. How can traditional market research data collection and analysis intersect with big data, or should it even attempt to? What tools, techniques and systems are effective in analyzing big data? Can traditional data management tools suffice? What new ones are emerging?

Gamification

Have gaming techniques impacted online market research? Can the use of games create breakthrough engagement with respondents? What game mechanics work best? Can conducting surveys utilizing gaming techniques produce better results or enhance the data collected? What technology innovations are required? Can traditional data collection systems support this type of research?

Mobile

With extensive market penetration of smart phones and tablet devices, we now live in an "everything is mobile" world. Discussion to date has largely focused on mobile's emerging role in data collection. However it's becoming imperative to deliver the complete value chain (from data collection to delivery) on mobile devices. How and what needs to be developed to deliver rich, useful content on mobile devices? How can we deliver reporting and dashboards ready for mobile computing devices? What considerations must be accounted for to accommodate varying platforms, screen sizes and the changing landscape?

Social Networks

How are social networks being used for market research? What technologies are being used to support social network-based research activities? Are social networks replacing MROC's? How can the data obtained from social network platforms interface effectively with established market research analysis and reporting technologies and practices?

Analysis of Social Media

Have advances in technology had an impact on the analysis of social media and other unstructured data? Are standard off-the-shelf text analytics software packages enough? What are the best ways to present unstructured information to the client? Have technology changes helped to improve the quality of the information collected?

Technology Trends and Emerging Technologies

We also welcome contributions that introduce and demonstrate new ideas and technologies that are relevant to market research. Topics may include federated cloud computing, security trends, data privacy compliance and regulations, data integration techniques, developing green IT organizations, or new tools and techniques that can help reduce costs or improve quality.

As you can see, we have many topics listed, but we are also fortunate that marketing research is an industry with a collaborative nature that can produce sound insights to industry challenges. We encourage collaboration between research companies and technology providers and favor these types of paper submissions where applicable.

Paper Submission Process

Please provide a one- or two-page synopsis of the proposed paper/topic according to the following layout:

• Principal author(s) and proposed presenter(s), including company affiliation, role and a 100-word bio for each author and presenter. Note: if your paper is accepted we require that the proposed presenter(s) remain unchanged.
• Description of the topic and how the paper would address the topics outlined in the "call for papers".
• Include all of the above information in one document (Word or PDF format). Do not include the information in the body of your email. Note: the committee will only review the one document submitted.

Note: Our goal is to encourage new topics/presentations. If your submission is based on a past topic or if you have or will be presenting the topic at another conference, please disclose that information in your submission. You can access past presentations and papers below using the password casro.

Conference Registration Fees for Selected Papers/Presenters

To help cover event costs, a special discounted registration fee will apply to each presenter. The discounted rates only apply if you stay on-site at the host hotel within CASRO's room block. Travel and sleeping room costs accrue to the presenter.

Send your submission(s) to papers@casro.org by Friday, February 10, 2012. You will receive an acknowledgment by email that we have received your paper and we will announce the selected submissions on March 9, 2012. If your paper is selected you will be asked to present a 20- to 30-minute (depending on the session) presentation at the conference with additional time allotted for questions from the audience. Papers may also be considered for inclusion in the CASRO Journal. We will contact authors if their work has been selected and if additional information is required.

Timetable

February 10, 2012
Deadline for submissions.

March 9, 2012
Selection of papers announced.

April 16, 2012
Draft presentation due.

May 9, 2012
Final presentation due.

May 30 & 31, 2012
Presentation at CASRO Technology Conference.

CASRO Technology Conference Committee:

Tony DiPonio, Senior Vice President, Information Systems, Market Strategies International, Co-Chair
Tim Macer, Managing Director, meaning limited, Co-Chair
Christian Super, Senior Vice President, Ipsos Information Delivery Solutions
Michael Webster, Vice President, Technology, Burke, Inc.
Antonio A. Yenidjeian, CIO Global, Lightspeed Research
Frank Petruzzo, Vice President, Operations, CASRO