Expertise

30+ YEARS OF SURVEY SCIENCE

From three questions on an omnibus survey to complex international research,
we bring deep methodological and analytical expertise to survey research at every scale.

We know where surveys go wrong, how those problems affect the data, and how to prevent or fix them.

LED BY GLENYS BABCOCK, PhD

Glenys Babcock is a research design expert specializing in survey research. For more than 30 years, she has advised governments, Fortune 500 companies, and not-for-profit organizations, led research teams, mentored researchers, and presented at academic and industry conferences.

Her expertise is informed, in part, by her own research-on-research, including scientific testing of survey response scales. She is author of the forthcoming book, The Illusion of Science: Bad Surveys, Wonky Data, and The Over-Confident Insta-Experts, and featured in the YouTube vlog @SurveyScienceWow.

SURVEY SCIENCE

  • Research Strategy & Research Design
  • Survey Methodology Complex Sampling & Respondent Recruitment
  • Questionnaire Design & Testing
  • Response Scales
  • Weighting
  • Statistical Analysis
  • Scientific Research-on-Research
  • Methodology Audits & Troubleshooting

SELECTED PAST ROLES

Vice President, Ipsos Public Affairs and Head, Ipsos Trends Division
Consultant, The RAND Corporation
President, Pragmora Institute
Director, Titan Group for Public Policy Analysis
Research & Methodology Lead, Univ of Toronto, Faculty of Medicine

ACADEMIC FOUNDATION

BA, Mathematics
BA, International Relations
MA, International Relations
MPhil, Public Policy Analysis
PhD, Public Policy Analysis
Certificate: OCAP® Indigenous Data Governance (First Nations Information Governance Centre)

SELECTED CLIENTS

Public Sector:  World Bank · National Governments · Provincial Governments · Municipalities · Public Sector Agencies
Non-Profits & Charities: United Way · Kids Help Phone · Daily Bread Food Bank · CARE · Casey House · Osteoporosis Canada
Private Sector: Microsoft · CIBC · Pepsi · Ford Motor Co. · Roche Pharmaceuticals
Industry Associations: Canada Beef · Canadian Marketing Association · Canadian Health Food Association · Cultural Careers Council of Ontario

MICRO-CONSULTING

City of Greater Sudbury
Reviewed a proposed HR survey and questionnaire prepared by an external supplier; identified substantial issues with data privacy, question construction, response scales, and proposed analysis.

METHODOLOGY & ANALYTICS AUDIT

RTI International | USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service
Independently reviewed consumer research conducted by RTI International. Identified questionnaire and analytical issues affecting the conclusions; the independent review was formally submitted to USDA/FSIS as part of the regulatory process.

FROM START TO FINISH

Microsoft — Children’s Internet Use
Designed and led a national study examining children’s internet use and parental oversight, including interviewing children as young as six about online behaviour their parents didn’t necessarily know about.
34-Country Kids, Food & Obesity Study
Designed a large-scale international study examining children’s attitudes and behaviours related to food, nutrition, and obesity. Developed a common methodology to produce meaningful, comparable data across 34 countries, cultures, and populations.