When the numbers matter Research Design Associates have methodological and statistical expertise to produce relevant answers.
Principles of experimental design are embedded in the logic of the scientific method. While causality is not easy to demonstrate, factual outcomes come from well-designed experiments, careful observation, and systematic analysis of data. Trustworthiness of the outcome depends on rigorous methods.
Our scientists help clients at each step of the research design process:
Formulate a measurable hypothesis that accurately reflects your research question
Plan and implement well-designed experiments
Select or develop reliable and valid measurement tools
Analyze data with statistical tests that fit the experimental design, as well as meet the mathematical assumptions of the statistics
Integrating with AI into the contextual environment
Accurately report results
Interface with AI
RDA uses empirical research to bridge Big Data and content experts.
We integrate the new algorithmic tools with the classical research methods to extend the scientific method.
Qualitative Research
Ever wonder why people make the choices they do?
Research Design Associates uses qualitative research to gather an in-depth understanding of why humans do the things they do.
Qualitative research provides an in-depth understanding of social phenomena in its natural setting. It focuses on the "why" rather than the "what" of social phenomena and relies on direct experiences. RDA researchers use multiple methods of qualitative inquiry such as in-depth interviews and focus groups to better understand the behavior, beliefs, and opinions of people. Qualitative research helps organizations develop holistic and contextual understanding about:
- Consumer behavior
- Decision-making in socially oriented problems
- Non-profits’ issues, products, policies and services
Case Studies
Qualitative Research to Understand the Needs of Mentally Ill Homeless
Read more … Qualitative Research to Understand the Needs of Mentally Ill Homeless
Quantitative Research
Need to make sense out of your numbers?
Analyses of Big Data can produce correlations but not demonstrate causation.
Some Big Data correlations are just random while some can be meaningful. Only well-designed studies with good statistical methods can infer causality.
RDA uses scientific investigation of numerical properties, phenomena and relationships using statistical methods. We design our research to:
- Test hypotheses
- Manipulate and control variables
- Collect empirical data
- Mathematically evaluate results
- Conduct data modeling and analysis
- Critically evaluate results
Case Studies
Using Quantitative Research To Solve a Complex Problem
Read more … Using Quantitative Research To Solve a Complex Problem
Does Big Data Mean the End of the Scientific Method?
Read more … Does Big Data Mean the End of the Scientific Method?
Basic Statistical Analysis
How can I find data trends that translate into valuable decision making tools?
Using sophisticated tools, RDA analysts can provide clients with enhanced insights into their research questions.
A crucial step in any data analysis is understanding the mathematical description of the data set. RDA scientists have extensive expertise in matching statistical methodologies to requirements of the research design.
Mixed Methods
Is my data too complicated to be analyzed by statistics?
RDA can help design research to make complicated questions measurable.
Mixed methods research combines elements of quantitative research and qualitative research in order to answer your research questions. Mixed methods help you gain a more complete picture than a standalone quantitative or qualitative study as it integrates the benefits of both methods.
Case Studies
Can Technology Facilitate Foreign Language Learning?
Read more … Can Technology Facilitate Foreign Language Learning?
Empirical Assessment of Fairness of Police Lineups
Read more … Empirical Assessment of Fairness of Police Lineups
Cross-Sectional Design
Collect insights from a target audience at a particular time interval.
Cross-sectional research helps researchers collect information in a brief period.
Cross-sectional research is implemented in various sectors such as retail, education, healthcare, small and mid-size businesses. Cross-sectional research can either be descriptive or inferential and researchers rely on this survey research method in situations where descriptive analysis of a subject is required.
Case Studies
How Can Cross-Sectional Design Estimate Incidence Rates?
Read more … How Can Cross-Sectional Design Estimate Incidence Rates?
Longitudinal Design
Examine changes in the same individuals that occur over a long period of time.
These studies can extend over years or lifetimes.
Longitudinal studies can be descriptive in which researchers observe and collect data on a number of variables without trying to influence those variables. They also can involve an intervention in which a group of individuals receive the treatment and another group does not. Differences between the groups on variables of interest are measured over time.
Complex Designs
Complex designs allow the study of variables alone or in combination.
RDA uses statistics such as linear mixed models, path analysis, and structural equation modeling to analyze these more complex designs.
A researcher may want to study the effects of a new cognitive therapy and a drug on depression. It may be that cognitive therapy alone has no effect on depression but when combined with a drug it alleviates depression more effectively than the drug alone.
Some research designs involve clusters of participants, organized at more than one level such as:
- students within classrooms within schools
- patients within units within hospitals
- employees within departments
Special statistical methods are needed to handle analyses with individual-level effects (such as students) as well as cluster-level effects (classroom) in the same study.
Meta-analysis
Synthesizing research results by using various statistical methods to retrieve, select, and combine results from previous separate but related studies
RDA is experienced in conducting meta-analytic studies in a variety of content areas.
Meta-analysis is a statistical technique that applies only to research studies that generate quantitative measurement of variables and report descriptive or inferential statistics to summarize the data.
Sample Selection
A critical part of any research is the selection of a sample
Research Design Associates can resolve the issues surrounding the selection of an appropriate sample.
The meaningfulness of research results depends on the quality of the sample studied. Accomplishing a random and representative sample of sufficient size to accurately describe the population can be a bit tricky. Research Design Associates can do it with statistical precision and confidence.
Research Design Associates routinely selects accurate sample to address a broad variety of research questions. This allows organizations to extensively examine a subset of their population to obtain factual and actionable predictions about how the larger population will perform. Sample selection is one of the few parts of research that most organizations have difficulty performing in-house. If the sample is inappropriate its use as a basis for decisions may be faulty and the resources invested in the research could be wasted.
Facial Recognition Research
Can you identify the robber?
RDA experts evaluate facial recognition accuracy using a variety of experimental research designs.
Our research psychologists have been working in the field of facial recognition for over 40 years. They have focused their research on identification procedures used in the criminal justice system and have cultivated a deep knowledge of the specific factors that influence the accuracy of facial identification.
Behavioral Psychotropic Research
Researching the therapeutic effects of consciousness-expanding medicines
Psychedelic compounds like LSD and psilocybin mushrooms have shown significant promise in treating a range of mental health conditions. Participants in clinical studies often describe progress in dealing with depression and anxiety.
Psychedelics induce the brain to change transiently in ways that appear to allow a reset to take place and permit alterations in previously “stuck” ways of feeling and thinking about things.
The promise of benefits of mind-altering compounds to treat mental health problems has generated a cascade of new research.
Siegel, A.N., Meshkat, S., Benitah, K., Lipsitz, O., Gill, H., Lui, L.M.W., et al. (2021). Registered clinical studies investigating psychedelic drugs for psychiatric disorders. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 139, 71-81.
Contact Us
To take advantage of all that Research Design Associates has to offer please use the contact form below or call us at 404.373.4637.