Meaningful Trackers, Wave after Wave (after Wave)

Enhance tracking studies with validated measures and matched samples from public data.

Everybody loves the idea of a tracking study, until it seems impossible to untangle the signal from the noise and “no change” prompts the inevitable question from managers, “why continue?”

The solution is to design and execute research built on a rigorous foundation of validated methods and insight derived from prior customized research. This is what Versta Research did for one organization with a (still ongoing) fifteen-year study to track the health and wellness of their employees beyond just those enrolled in benefits plans.

The effort began with in-depth qualitative interviews to understand workplace and lifestyle issues that put employees at risk. We worked closely with the research team and internal consultants to identify validated measures in the academic literature that would be relevant to those risks. Some measures are tracked in surveys conducted by the National Institutes of Health, allowing us to benchmark against national samples of all U.S. adults, updated for each wave.

We also developed a method of matched-sampling from public datasets to align benchmarks with the unique demographics of their employee base. The research uses truly randomized, stratified sampling among employees with multiple modes of outreach and recruiting to ensure response rates that are difficult to achieve in today’s environment.

Tracking studies should never be a chore. Effective trackers require more thought, precision, rigor, and foresight than most other types of research. Plus, with careful design and a thoughtful approach to how often they should repeat, trackers needn’t be a drain on your resources.

If you are designing a new tracking study, or have one you would like to freshen up, let’s talk.