SSG Difference
Innovations in survey research have created a demand for increasingly specialized skills and technical expertise. Many social science researchers consult dedicated professionals to ensure the scientific integrity of their work. The solutions offered by academic institutions, however, are empirical and personalized, but notoriously efficient. Their theoretical, abstract approach ignores similar methodological experiments, duplicating existing research instead of building upon it. Commercial research institutions save time and money by streamlining this process—but at the cost of adhering so rigidly to corporate protocol that survey designers cannot accommodate the needs of an individual project. The result is a poor-fitting solution that might compromise data quality.
Scott Crawford, a UniversityofMichigan-trained survey methodologist with experience in both the academic and corporate arenas, envisioned SSG as a new resource for researchers seeking high-quality, individualized survey solutions. SSG is a hybrid that combines the efficiency of the commercial sector with the academic methodology’s focus on data quality and scholarship. Our approach is to identify the needs of a particular project, determine what resources are already available, and then to bridge that gap with innovative solutions. This practice allows us to generate methodologically sound, defensible data quickly and at a more reasonable price than academic survey researchers. It differs from the commercial sector by providing room for creativity and customization, when appropriate.
We pride ourselves on our flexibility in meeting a wide range of client needs. In Scott Crawford’s own words, “SSG is not constrained by ‘in-house’ capabilities. Instead, we assemble the right team and tools for the job.” This may include collaboration with our network of industry leaders, developing new technology, or conducting methodological experiments. We offer a full menu of services, and stand apart from both our academic and commercial counterparts by welcoming projects of any complexity, budget, or scale.
Research Design
- Expert Review
- Literature Review
- Sample Design
- Data Collection Design
- Questionnaire Design
- Experimental Design
Research Implementation
Analysis and Reporting
- Weighting
- Data
- Non-response Bias Analysis
- Benchmarking
- Methods Reporting
- Custom Analysis and Reporting
Tools
