SAQA

All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.

SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Occupational Certificate: Survey Interviewer

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
97232	Occupational Certificate: Survey Interviewer
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner - SAMRA
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-			OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Occupational Certificate	Field 07 - Human and Social Studies		Industrial & Organisational Governance and Human Resource Development
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	60	Not Applicable	NQF Level 04	Regular-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered		EXCO 0425/24	2018-07-01	2025-12-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-12-30		2029-12-30

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Survey Interviewer. A Survey Interviewer should be able to interview research participants and collect data on a variety of topics. A qualified learner will be able to:

Prepare for an interview.

Plan the interview processes.

Select and interview participants.

Report (feedback/observations) on the processes and interviewing approach.

Rationale:
The market research (including social and opinion polling research) industry contributes more than R2 billion directly to the South African economy annually. This figure has been growing annually for some years now, and this is only possible if research is of good quality (ESOMAR Global Market Research Study, 2014).

Market research is a vital tool to grow almost any business, whether the business wishes to assess the need for a new product or service, evaluate and improve an existing product or service, or improve its competitiveness. It provides economic, industry/sector, supply chain, customer, consumer or government level information and assists organisations to plan, based on stakeholder needs. Research is only effective if the quality of data collected is of a high standard.
Good-quality market research, based on good-quality data from good-quality interviewing, helps organisations to improve and become more competitive, which in turn ensures:

Better products.

Faster services.

Higher individual productivity.

More efficient use of resources.

Attracting and retaining foreign investment.

Better access to information.

Improved social development and service delivery.

Improved planning by governments, and many more.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment: Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related Curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a Statement of Results or certifying a Work Experience Record.

RPL for access to the qualification: Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements.

Entry Requirements:
NQF Level 4 with Mathematical Literacy, English and one other of the recognised South African language.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification is made up of the following compulsory Knowledge and Practical Skill Modules:

Knowledge Modules:

422701000-KM-01, Principles of Marketing Research, at NQF Level 4, 3 Credits.

422701000-KM-02, Interviewing Principles, at NQF Level 4, 6 Credits.

422701000-KM-03, Research Ethics, at NQF Level 4, 3 Credits.
Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 12.

Practical Skill Modules:

422701000-PM-01, Identify the pre-described target respondent, at NQF Level 4, 2 Credits.

422701000-PM-02, Plan and manage interview schedule and resources, at NQF Level 4, 4 Credits.

422701000-PM-03, Select participants, at NQF Level 4, 6 Credits.

422701000-PM-04, Negotiate access, at NQF Level 4, 4 Credits.

422701000-PM-05, Interview participants, at NQF Level 4, 10 Credits.

422701000-PM-06, Feedback on interview progress, at NQF Level 4, 2 Credits.
Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 28.

This qualification also requires the following Work Experience Modules:

422701000-WM-01, Participation in project briefing session, at NQF Level 4, 2 Credits.

422701000-WM-02, Planning procedures for scheduling interviews, at NQF Level 4, 2 Credits.

422701000-WM-03, Complete interview questionnaire, at NQF Level 4, 14 Credits.

422701000-WM-04, Compliance with reporting procedures, at NQF Level 4, 2 Credits.
Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 20.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1: Plan own resources, schedule projects and prepare documentation for the commencement of interviews.
2: Select, access and interview participants specified in project briefings.
3: Report on interviewing progress and issues impacting on interviewing.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

The role of different role-players within the research industry and the specific role of the interviewer are identified and explained within the context of different projects.

Different procedures for data collection and methods for interviewing are explained within the context of specific projects.

Different technologies used in research and data collection are identified and their functions are explained in terms of specific contexts.

Data collection is differentiated within the overall market research process.

Different types of research are discussed, and methodologies associated with each type of research are accurately identified in terms of specific contexts.

All required materials are collected to meet briefing and contractual requirements.

Random sampling and non-random sampling are defined and differentiated, and their uses explained in specified contexts.

Administrative and logistic implications of concurrent projects are taken into account to develop schedules that meet ethical, briefing and contractual requirements.

Resources required (time, money, equipment, travel, etc.) are estimated accurately to meet ethical, briefing and contractual requirements.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Allocated resources and schedules are met in accordance with ethical, briefing and contractual requirements.

Different interviewing styles and approaches are adapted for different interviewing methodologies.

The ISO requirements for interviewing are adhered to.

Different questioning techniques and methods for collecting data are selected and applied to meet project requirements.

The requirements for introducing, executing and concluding interviews in different settings are met.

Voice tonality is used during the interview processes to maximise benefits and limit disadvantages.

Conflict, ethical issues and refusals are addressed effectively within the context of specific projects, based on industry standards and procedures.

Negotiation of access and obtaining informed consent with the industry standards are complied with.

Quality control requirements are met during interviews, and recording and evaluation of completed interviews based on industry procedures are conducted.

The principles and guidelines in the ESOMAR/SAMRA Code of Conduct that apply to specific projects are adhered to.

Problem-solving techniques and substitution strategies are correctly applied in accordance with the specific difficult environments.

Interviewing techniques, active listening skills, verbal and non-verbal communication skills are applied correctly during personal and telephone interviewing.

Stimulus materials are used and handled correctly for the use of different questioning techniques (probing, prompting, etc.).

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Legal requirements for working as freelancer and/or working as an employee are adhered to.

Reports are compiled as required during different stages of interview projects.

Research on quality and participation during interviews are not impacted by unethical conduct.

Integrated Assessment:
Integrated Formative Assessment:
The skills development provider will use the curriculum to guide the learners on the stipulated internal assessment criteria and weighting. They will also apply the scope of practical skills and applied knowledge as stipulated by the internal assessment criteria. This formative assessment leads to entrance into the integrated external summative assessment.

Integrated Summative Assessment:
An external integrated summative assessment, conducted through the relevant QCTO Assessment Quality Partner, is required for the issuing of this qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the Exit Level Outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria. The external assessment will be conducted through a combination of a written assessment and demonstration of practical tasks marked by registered Assessors. The combination of the written and practical assessment will be conducted over a period of two working days. During both the theoretical and practical assessments, the learner must demonstrate knowledge and understanding of preparation to do interviews, planning the interview processes, selecting and interviewing participants, as well as reporting (feedback/observations) on the processes and interviewing approaches.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

In South Africa, face-to-face and telephone interviewing generates 63% of market research data collected. Interviewing in the United Kingdom is considered best practice, especially for face-to-face interviewing, and is comparable with South Africa in terms of the occupational content and use of technology. The industry-accepted curriculum in the United Kingdom is also implemented in other parts of Africa (e.g. Nigeria and Kenya). In other countries (e.g. Australia), interviewer qualifications are limited and does not address what is required by the ISO 20252:2013 standard. Thus only one country was considered for comparison.

In the United Kingdom the Marketing Research Society (MRS) Certificate in Interviewing Skills was selected for comparison.
The purpose of the same qualification is to ensure that learners are equipped with a practical grounding in the techniques and behaviours that underpin effective interviewing. A qualified learner must be able to:

Sample participants.

Have the interviewing techniques.

Possess inter-personal skills necessary.

Observe and listen.

Conclusion:
The purpose of the qualification compares favourably with the South African qualification. The Marketing Research Society, whom is the custodian of the comparable qualification in the United Kingdom, has submitted its support for the South African qualification, thereby opening up the possibility of reciprocal recognition.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Horizontal articulation:

Further Education and Training Certificate: Marketing, at NQF Level 4.

Vertical articulation:

National Diploma: Marketing Research, at NQF Level 5.

NOTES

Qualifying for external assessment:
In order to qualify for an external assessment, learners must provide proof of completion of all required Modules by means of Statements of Results and Work Experience.
Foundational learning competence is a pre-requisite for the awarding of this qualification.

Additional legal or physical entry requirements:
None

Criteria for the accreditation of providers:
Accreditation of providers will be done against the criteria as reflected in the relevant Curriculum on the QCTO website.
The Curriculum title and code is: 422701000: Survey Interviewer.

This qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the NLRD:

This is not a trade.
Part Qualifications:

None.

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION:

NONE

PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION:

This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.

NONE