Occupational Classification for Market Research

Abstract

A S MARKET research becomes a more widely used tool of management, there is greater need for standardized terminologies and standardized techniques, so that surveys will be comparable. Because of this need, in February, 1942, Dr. Virgil D. Reed, as president of the American Marketing Association, appointed a committee on Occupational Classification, composed of D. E. Robinson, Paul W. Stewart, Raymond A. Robinson, Alba M. Edwards (non-member consultant), and the writer as chairman. The committee's instructions were study present practices in the use of occupational classifications in marketing and recommend standard procedures in tabulation, use and presentation. A first step in the committee's work was to send an inquiry to a considerable number of research men. Answers to this inquiry indicated little standardization in current occupational classification in market research; in fact, many systems of classifications reported were so vague as to be subject to frequent misunderstanding and misinterpretation. The most constructive work was found to be that of the Interdepartmental Committee on Occupations, sponsored by the American Statistical Association and the Central Statistical Board, whose conclusions formed the basis of the recommendations of the present committee. A standardized system of occupational classification suitable for wide use must have three characteristics: