MRS endorses TSAPI as an industry standard for transferring survey data

MRS has endorsed the application programming interface (API) standard for transferring survey data (TSAPI), which simplifies the exchange of survey data between different platforms or software tools.

Building on the previous TripleS standard, TSAPI allows programs and platforms to communicate directly without relying on intermediate files. It improves connectivity within the research sector, acting as a bridge between insights and other industries and encouraging greater innovation and smoother, more efficient practices.

An independent standard, it has been developed following a consultation with a diverse range of software providers and survey data users to ensure maximum benefit for all. TSAPI is offered on an open-source basis, meaning all material is freely available for anyone to use. The API allows integration – both in batch and in real-time – into data pipelines, and cloud and desktop software.

It is governed by the independent TSAPI Steering Group, which comprises leaders from across data and software organisations.

Jane Frost CBE, CEO of MRS, comments: “The ability to seamlessly transfer data is increasingly vital in our interconnected world, but frustratingly there are occasions where it can be trapped in siloes, with different systems failing to communicate with each other. The TSAPI Standard plays a crucial role in connecting different platforms and helping us to learn from different sectors, ensuring smoother collaboration, saving time, and allowing researchers to focus on what they do best. MRS is pleased to endorse such an important contribution to the work of our sector.”

Matt Gibbs, chair of TSAPI Steering Group, comments: “Our mission for TSAPI has always been to provide a cost-free means for practitioners around the world to more effectively transfer data, freeing them up to focus on delivering high-quality insights. This endorsement by MRS will encourage wider adoption of the standard, fostering greater innovation, leading to sector-wide growth and greater appreciation of the value of the work of research professionals. We would like to thank MRS for endorsing TSAPI and recognising the importance of this standard.”