About Us

We do social science iteratively and efficiently.

We routinely hear the statement: This is not rocket science – we can handle it on our own.

And we agree, it is not rocket science. It involves the study of humans, which is much more complex than the highly predictable science of rocketry. At SoundRocket, we develop and deliver innovative, science-guided survey methodology practices and services to the global community of social science researchers and those who rely upon such research.

SoundRocket team

Our work is targeted and rigorous.

Whether you’re a researcher seeking high-quality support for your survey implementation, a higher education administrator looking to improve students’ lives, or a regulatory professional seeking help with FDA user experience studies, our goal is the same: to support the design and execution of high-quality, sustainable, and defensible research.

Our purpose:

To propel social science forward for the greater good.

Our mission:

Develop and deliver innovative, science-guided survey methodology practices and services to the global community of social science researchers.

We’ve built a highly collaborative team of diverse experts

From ace programmers and data collection specialists to masters in the field of survey methodology, our employees span a wide geography and decades of experience in topics that are relevant for your studies.

Scott Crawford SoundRocket Survey Scientist

Scott D. Crawford

Founder & Chief Vision Officer

Founder and Chief Vision Officer with a passion for the design and implementation of social research, the use of technology in research, and building a team to solve shared research problems. Schedule a meeting with Scott

Jill Furnival Genetic Counselor Science Writer

Jill Furnival, MSc, CCGC

Research Director, Genetics & Health Communications

Provides strategic support for health-related comprehension studies, including those required for regulatory compliance, such as FDA user comprehension, label comprehension, self-selection, and consumer user studies. Provides expert support in genetics communication and science writing. Schedule a meeting with Jill

Joshua Patterson Phd Higher Education Research

Joshua R. Patterson, PhD

Research Director, Higher Education Studies

Leading and growing the Higher Education business unit, which holds our multi-institutional studies, campus climate studies (i.e. DEI studies), and a variety of other college student topical studies. Schedule a meeting with Josh

Selected Collaborators

Timeline

An Origin Story

Read the story of Scott’s passion for high-quality social science research with love for business that he discovered with a paper delivery route he held as a child, allowing him to think differently to solve real problems.  Read the full origin story…

2004

Survey Sciences Group, LLC (SSG) is Formed

Founded in August of 2004, this original company brought survey methodology, survey quality, and a strong respect for the scientific method to the field of academic researchers, mostly in the Ann Arbor, Michigan area. Being flexible, we grew fast and became the experts in web-based survey methodology and implementation.

2005

SSG conducted its first primary data collection—the University of Michigan Student Life Survey.

2006

SSG collaborated with the National Study of Living-Learning Programs and the Multi-Institutional Study of Leadership on its first two multi-institutional studies in the higher education space.

2007

SSG was awarded its first United States federal contract to assist the National Science Foundation in studying how to best count Postdoctoral Scholars in the US.

2013

SSG moves from its downtown Ann Arbor office to a location on the south side of Ann Arbor. The new office provided ample parking and easy access for our local customers to our office.

2014

SoundRocket Rebranding

After 10 years of doing business as Survey Sciences Group, LLC, we began a process to uncover our brand character—and found a better way to express who we are and what we do. Read more about our rebranding in our origin story.

2014

SoundRocket launched a collaborative study with researchers at Harvard University called the pGen Study—a survey designed to help scientists understand how people were using early developed personal genetic testing products. This initial study has led us to a depth of experience studying the social impacts of genetic testing for a variety of customers.

2015-2016

SoundRocket collaborated with the University of Michigan to conduct a Climate Survey on Sexual Misconduct; then later a Climate Survey for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. This collaboration has led to the development of a nationally available service for higher education institutions who want to survey their students, faculty or staff on these important topics.

2018

The Multi-Institutional Study of Leadership passes the 400 participating institution mark with over a decade of data collections.

2018

SoundRocket enters the US Food & Drug Administration regulatory space by supporting researchers and companies looking to demonstrate the efficacy of their genetic health risk tests. SoundRocket became the go-to source for FDA user comprehension, label comprehension, and other related user experience studies—it turns out our attention to quality is a good match for the regulatory industry.

2020

When the COVID-19 pandemic began forcing companies to close their physical doors in March 2020, SoundRocket packed up their belongings and made the move to a home / virtual work environment a permanent change. 

The Future

We remain committed to high quality social science research support—with a specialty in innovative data collection technologies, and substantive expertise in higher education, regulatory, genetics, alcohol and other drug use, and mental health.

Work With Us

Interested in becoming a part of our growing team? Visit our Careers page to view our open positions and learn more about the hiring process.

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