Versatility and Large-Scale Capacity

Conducting large-scale data collection projects in a variety of modes is an important part of our work. One of our largest surveys to date was designed to track changes in the health care system in the United States and help to understand the effects on people's lives. This innovative study involved a national random-digit-dial survey of more than 30,000 households and 50,000 respondents and included four rounds of data collection.

Achieving high response rates is critical to a sound survey. Because respondents' needs and preferences vary, offering alternative ways of responding is important. One of our large-scale surveys tracked down over 18,000 people who had entered doctoral programs during the past 20 years, interviewing them by mail, web, or telephone. Similarly, another study located nearly 65,000 people who had navigated the educational pipeline, using addresses that were largely over 25 years old.

Cost control is an important part of the package we offer clients. To reduce data processing expense in mixed-mode surveys and also minimize bias related to mode of administration, we put a priority on careful question construction. Our questions are mode-neutral and we integrate the multiple modes by sharing common databases.

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