Six Things to Know about P-Values

Six Things to Know about P-Values

Whenever I write a research report, I feel strongly ambivalent about flagging data as “statistically significant.” If possible, I try to avoid it altogether. Why? Because p-values and concepts of statistical significance are often misunderstood, misused, and misleading. Indeed, the problem is so prevalent that one well-respected scientific journal in social psychology (Basic and Applied…

New Resource for Tons of Great Data

New Resource for Tons of Great Data

Every professional in market research should know about and use the amazing, public, free data resources provided by the U.S. government—data that includes essential information about our demographics, communities, businesses, commerce, roads, health, education…the list goes on. Now, a small group of consultants, data scientists, and programmers are trying to make that easier with a…

Why I Love Political Polls

Why I Love Political Polls

Actually, Joe Citizen does not love them, but Joe Researcher does. The horse-race polls for media release offer little value to the first Joe because the only poll that really matters is the election itself. But for Joe Researcher, political polls offer unparalleled, ongoing opportunities to understand, validate, and improve our methods of survey research.…

Five Summer Classes to Up Your Research Game

Five Summer Classes to Up Your Research Game

Every year I read the university catalogues for summer coursework in research methods and share a few recommendations with colleagues and clients. If you are looking for more than just the information and inspiration you get from conferences, look to the substance and depth you can get from a classroom. It’s easier than you might…