Survey development doesn't end when data collection finishes. The design phase should anticipate analysis and interpretation. Pre-register your analysis plan  to avoid cherry-picking results. Specify which variables are primary outcomes, what statistical tests you'll use, and how you'll handle missing data. This discipline forces clear thinking about what you're actually trying to learn. Plan for missing data and non-response.  People skip questions for many reasons. Understa

In today’s fast-paced world, making decisions based on gut feelings alone is no longer enough. Data is everywhere, and it holds the key to unlocking smarter, more effective business strategies. I’ve seen firsthand how embracing a data-driven strategy can transform organizations, helping them grow, adapt, and thrive. If you’re ready to harness the power of data, this post will guide you through the essentials of building a strategy that truly works. Why a Data-Driven Strategy

Writing good survey questions is harder than it looks. Every word matters. Small changes in phrasing can dramatically alter response patterns. Avoid double-barreled questions  that ask about two things at once. "How satisfied are you with your provider's knowledge and communication skills?" conflates two distinct dimensions. A respondent might rate the provider's knowledge highly but communication poorly—how should they answer? Eliminate leading questions  that suggest a desi

Before writing a single question, you need absolute clarity about what you're trying to learn and why. This sounds obvious, yet it's where many survey efforts go wrong. Effective survey development begins with specific, measurable research questions. "We want to understand customer satisfaction" is too vague. "We want to identify which specific touchpoints in the customer journey most strongly predict renewal decisions" gives you something concrete to design around. Your rese

A poorly designed survey is worse than no survey at all. It wastes respondents' time, generates unreliable data, and can lead organizations to make costly decisions based on flawed insights. Yet many organizations approach survey design as if it's simple—just write some questions and send them out, right? The reality is that effective survey development is both an art and a science, requiring careful attention to cognitive psychology, measurement theory, sampling methodology,

Regional Economic Development When a city considers attracting a new manufacturing facility, Input-Output (I-O) modeling can project the full economic impact. It goes beyond just counting the direct jobs at the plant. It also examines the induced effects on suppliers, service providers, and consumer spending throughout the region. This comprehensive view helps policymakers evaluate whether tax incentives and infrastructure investments will generate sufficient returns. The Imp

In today's interconnected economy, a disruption in one sector can ripple through entire supply chains and regional economies. When a semiconductor shortage hits, it doesn't just affect chip manufacturers—it impacts automakers, consumer electronics companies, and countless other industries. Understanding these complex interdependencies is where Input-Output (I-O) modeling becomes invaluable. What is Input-Output Modeling? At its core, I-O modeling answers a deceptively simple

There are a number of different types of research designs and which one you pick depends on both what you're trying to do with your data...

Mark Twain said, “there are lies, damn lies, and statistics”. When reporting statistics, there are a number of things that people can do...

Preparing your data for statistical analysis, in short, means eliminating factors, in a methodical and theoretically defensible way, that...

When you think about data collection you want to think about it in two parts. There's the data “collection” which is actually collecting...