Nielsen//NetRatings is advancing in its full audit by the Media Rating Council, which is currently reviewing the patented Nielsen//NetRatings desktop meter and data transmittal processes, the media and market research group announced Wednesday.

“Nielsen//NetRatings has always been committed to measurement quality and transparency, and we welcome the opportunity to have our methodology and patented technologies validated by a respected third party like the MRC,” Manish Bhatia, president of global services and U.S. sales for Nielsen Online stated in a press release.

The group also stated is has begun work on research studies “demonstrating the effectiveness of certain aspects of (MRC) methodology which, as an accreditation service, the MRC has not previously seen or evaluated,” due to the how new Internet audience measurement is.

The Interactive Advertising Bureau announced last week that Nielsen and comScore Media Metrix had both completed their pre-audits, and were moving into the next auditing and accreditation stages.

At that time, comScore was reviewing the MRC's report and proposal for a full audit, but had not yet committed to a timeline.