From Apprentice to Researcher

1 min
Published on June 19th, 2025By Katherine Alexander

More CPD news! At The Survey Initiative, we believe learning doesn’t end with an apprenticeship – it’s only the beginning. Emily, who completed her apprenticeship with us at the end of last year, has recently taken the next step in her development.

She’s just completed the Market Research Society’s Introduction to Qualitative Research course – a one-day webinar designed to build foundational knowledge in qualitative techniques. The course provided a practical and comprehensive introduction to the role of qualitative research in contemporary practice, covering everything from planning a project to selecting the right approach and analysing results.

As part of her learning, Emily explored:

  • The purpose and application of qualitative research in real-world contexts
  • How to plan and structure a qualitative research project
  • Different approaches and when to use them
  • Interviewing methods and techniques, including how to apply them in practice
  • The process of collecting, processing, and thematically analysing data

Emily said of the webinar, “Taking the qualitative research course was incredibly insightful. Listening to expert researchers with extensive experience really deepened my appreciation for the value of qualitative methods. Over time, I have developed an interest for the qualitative side of research, and this course helped me understand how we can potentially add more value to our current work. It highlighted the importance of balancing qualitative and quantitative approaches; especially how free text survey comments can add depth and context to data.”

Next up, she’ll be attending GDPR training in July, further enhancing her understanding of data protection and compliance, a critical area for both our clients and our internal standards.

We’re proud of the dedication Emily has shown and the curiosity she continues to bring to her role. She’s a valued part of our team, and we look forward to supporting her as she continues to grow her skills. Well done Em!