SURVEY RESEARCH

CONTACT

Bureau of Business and
Economic Research
School of Business Administration
Gallagher Business Building,
Suite 231
32 Campus Drive #6840
Missoula, MT 59812-6840


Patrick Barkey

     Bureau Director

Larry Gianchetta

     Business School Dean

Gallagher Business Building, East entrance

SURVEY DEVELOPMENT

Bureau researchers have expertise in a wide variety of survey instrument development sciences and techniques. Our research facilities are equipped with the latest technologies for conducting surveys: computers, event history calendars, time and activities diaries, and self-administered paper questionnaires.

We offer expertise in survey methods, field testing, and cognitive pre-testing.

Survey Methods


Our survey designers are experts in statistics, cognitive psychology, and survey methodology. We have conducted survey methods research concerning a broad range of topics and issues, including:
  • collecting data on sensitive topics, such as drug use, gambling, spousal abuse/neglect, and alcohol abuse
  • enhancing response rates and data quality in mail, telephone, and face-to-face surveys, with techniques such as incentives, advance letters, and respondent-friendly questionnaire design
  • testing and debugging computer-assisted interviewing (CAI) instruments efficiently.
Our expertise in these areas brings invaluable skills to designing and developing valid and reliable survey instruments.

Cognitive Pre-testing


Bureau staff have considerable expertise in cognitive interviewing. This pre-testing method examines the thought processes that affect the quality of answers provided to survey questions. Intensive cognitive interviewing of individuals representing a population to be surveyed can provide valuable information about how respondents view the question-answer process, access short- and long-term memory, and process complex terminology.

The results of these investigations are used to improve question wording and flow, evaluate understanding of the instrument among special populations, and determine the appropriateness of particular interview administration methods.