The LaunchPad Blog – Insights into Social Science Research

Web-Based Survey Testing: Seven Tips for More Effective Questionnaires

by Scott D. Crawford | Sep 12, 2016

Testing a web-based survey is one of the most detested activities to many in the survey research business. It requires patience, persistence, and tremendous focus. Finding someone who enjoys testing and is good at it is a valuable asset to any survey research team.

A wonderful resource for many details about testing questionnaires (including a chapter on web-based surveys) is Methods for Testing and Evaluating Survey Questionnaires.

Here are seven tips to better web-based survey testing practices for your next study…

Individual Guiding Principle Series: Principle 3 – Inclusivity

by Scott D. Crawford | Aug 29, 2016

This post is part of an in-depth exploration and evolution of each guiding principle: inclusivity. GUIDING PRINCIPLE 3 INCLUSIVITY We practice inclusivity in everything we do. We build rooms and doors, not walls. The scientific process benefits...

Individual Guiding Principle Series: Principle 2 – Group Authority

by Scott D. Crawford | Aug 22, 2016

Continuing the in depth exploration and evolution of our guiding principles, kicked off with an overview of them all, and expanded upon recently with a deep dive into Principle 1, we now turn to the second principle…

Social Science Podcast Review: The Measure of Everyday Life

by Scott D. Crawford | Aug 11, 2016

You may have seen my recent post about my favorite social science related podcasts. In it I asked readers to tell me about their favorites. One reader, David Roe, pointed me towards one that I had not yet found…

Individual Guiding Principle Series: Principle 1 – Unity

by Scott D. Crawford | Aug 8, 2016

A few months ago I presented SoundRocket’s Guiding Principles on this blog. I promised these were a guide to practice here at SoundRocket, and that they would be continually evaluated and updated where appropriate. I also promised that I would dive into each principle in more depth in future posts. It is time that I do both.

With this post, I will tackle our first principle – Unity…

My Favorite Social Science Podcasts

by Scott D. Crawford | Aug 1, 2016

Has anyone else driven the long way to work just to catch a few minutes more of a really good podcast? I know, I could just sit in my car in the parking lot and finish it there, but that just feels weird.

Just a few years ago, I had not heard of podcasts…

Five Ways to Use Historical Survey Data to Improve Quality in a Survey

by SoundRocket | Jun 15, 2016

When you find yourself surveying a population where significant information is known about those who are in the study prior to them completing the survey (such as in a longitudinal survey, a panel, or when the respondents are part of a known group such as a membership organization), such data can be used as part of the survey instrument design.

While it is tempting to do whenever possible, when using such data, care should be given to how and when it is used…

Guiding Principles at SoundRocket: A Self-Assessment

by Scott D. Crawford | May 22, 2016

Everyone has self-assessed at some point or another. Be it something formal with a Myers & Briggs inventory or a chat with a trusted friend or family member – we are driven to search for who we are. To some it comes easier than others. While I have always loved to self-assess, I have generally been shy…