The ARF has established a Research Quality Certification Program to raise the standards and increase the transparency of advertising and marketing studies.

Quality certification is available to ARF members and allows them to have their research projects reviewed and certified as meeting high scientific standards regarding the study purpose and design, its methods, and data analysis. It offers ARF members the opportunity to receive expert input for their research efforts and have their best studies recognized for their quality and objectivity.

The program differs from accreditation in that it is not intended for syndicated currency-related research. Additionally, it goes beyond assessments of the validity and reliability of measures used and considers all aspects of a study and its relationship to scientific principles in design, methods chosen, analysis, and interpretation of the data.

Research that has been certified through the ARF Research Quality Certification Program will receive a logo that can be used on the research document and in promotions for verification.

As part of the certification, the study data must be placed in a repository and made available for public review and reanalysis. A sample data request form is available here.

This Research Quality Certification program is central to the ARF’s mission to improve the practice of advertising, marketing, and media research through objective research-based insights. There is no better way to generate such insights and achieve industry leadership than through research that addresses gaps in our knowledge with scientific rigor and transparency.

To see an example of an ARF Certified Research Study, click here.

For more information on the Research Quality Certification Program or to submit a research proposal, please contact certification@thearf.org.