Words & Numbers Research, Inc.
Information
for data-driven decisions
In
1984, Words & Numbers Research, Inc.
was founded by its current president Susan Carroll,
Ph.D. In 1993 it was named one of the best small businesses in
Connecticut by the United States Small Business Administration.
During the 27
years of operation, Words & Numbers
Research, Inc. has designed and executed hundreds of
studies for a diversified clientele. The level of client
satisfaction with the quality of the work has been exhibited by the
high rate of referral through word-of-mouth testimonials.
Oftentimes, Words & Numbers Research,
Inc. will serve as our clients' research arm.
This is a cost effective option for companies and organizations.
The research
studies have been qualitative and quantitative as the name of the
firm suggests. They include surveys, evaluations, needs assessments,
focus groups and in-depth interviews.
Projects have
been conducted for many national and multi-national corporations.
Industries have included the Automotive, Aerospace, Biotechnology,
Communications, Diagnostic testing, Environmental, Pharmaceutical,
Tourism, Publishing and others.
The American
Dietetic Association, the Connecticut Dept. of Economic Development
Tourism Division, the University of Connecticut Development Office,
the Connecticut Dept. of Education, insurance companies, banks,
hospitals, public and private schools, universities and colleges,
utility companies and nursing homes have also used the services of
Words & Numbers Research, Inc. The Connecticut Bar Association with
11,000 members selected Words & Numbers
Research, Inc. to survey its membership.
What
differentiates Words & Numbers Research,
Inc. from competitors is the ability to integrate
the pursuit of information (research) to address market needs
(marketing). This means that we ask market segments (customers)
questions and use their answers to build strategies to serve markets
more fully.
The firm has
considerable expertise in developing questionnaires that work well
and produce substantial information. Return rates are always higher
than industry standards.
The data-based services
include the following:
Mail and Telephone Surveys
Comprehensive services can range from the initial
design of the research - to questionnaire development - to
implementation of data collection - to data tabulation - to final
written reporting and oral presentation of results.
Over the 27
years that the firm has been in business, it has developed a
reputation for creating excellent and effective questionnaires that
produce sound data for decision-making.
In addition,
some of the recent surveys have involved large-scale customer
satisfaction studies, program evaluations, membership studies,
employee satisfaction surveys, needs assessments, image analyses and
many others.
Written
reports from Words & Numbers Research,
Inc. are straightforward and user friendly.
Tables of data and the verbatims from respondents are presented in a
way that lay audiences can make sense of the data and comprehend the
findings easily. The reports always have suggestions and ideas for
follow up strategic steps.
Focus Groups and In-depth Interviews
The focus
groups and in-depth interviews serve as another valuable research
method.
The design
of the Interview Guides, the moderating of
the focus groups, the expertise in interviewing skills and the
compilation of results in user friendly reports have resulted in a
strong demand for these qualitative methods of research from the
firm.
Reports
contain themes that summarize the findings, as well as many
rich verbatim comments from the participants. In many cases the data
are presented so clearly that information can be used immediately
for action steps.
Evaluations and Needs Assessments
One of the
primary services offered by the firm is program evaluation using
Results Based Accountability or Logic models.
All of the
designs for evaluations and needs assessments are custom
tailored, not boiler plate. They are based upon program goals
and objectives with instrumentation, data collection and data
management conducted in a collaborative fashion and in the spirit of
improvement.
There
have been numerous program evaluations both large and small -
from clients in a single agency to the US Department of Education to
the Javits Foundation.
Doctoral Dissertations / Faculty
Research
http://www.dissertationstat.com/
A former
professor, Dr. Carroll has assisted hundreds of doctoral students to
complete Chapter Four of their dissertations.
The
services include review of their initial doctoral proposal
for "quality control" ---to tabulating their data and setting up
tables for Chapter Four. There is confidentiality, quick
turnover of work and affordability built into this needed service.
Students from
California to Texas to Florida to Canada have used this service and
moved their dissertation process along. The same services have
been extended to many faculty members on campuses including Harvard,
University of Oregon and Jackson State University.
