Academic Research Support
The Abacus Data team understands the particular research needs and analytical methods used within the social science field and is able to provide research support to academics in that domain. Our expertise is in online data collection; however, we have experience using a multitude of data collection methods for researchers looking for quantitative or qualitative option.
We work with our clients to help get ethics approval for their project and look at all available options for completing the research.
Working with Abacus Data, you get a team who understands academic research methods. David Coletto, Abacus’ team leader has a PhD in Political Science and teaches social science research methods to undergraduate students at Carleton University.
Quantitative Research
In the past, conducting Canadian public opinion research has been cost prohibitive allowing only those researchers with generous grants to conduct studies with the size and scope expected of high-quality academic research.
However, in recent years, the improvement and evolution of online research methodologies means that conducting public opinion research in Canada is easier and more affordable than ever.
Abacus Data programs all surveys in-house using state-of-the-art technology, hosts all data in Canada, and uses online research panels with members who have been randomly recruited by telephone. Unlike with opt-in research panels, the randomly recruited panels allow for the use of confidence intervals and significance testing.
We are currently the research firm of record for the Comparative Provincial Election Study group – hired to collect data for election studies corresponding with five provincial elections occurring in 2011.
The Benefits of Online Research
Online research has come a long way in the past five years. Researchers have made great strides to improve the representativeness of online samples and the quality of data collected from online surveys. Around the world, academics are turning to online research as a more affordable option to conduct original public opinion research to support projects on a wide range of subjects in the social sciences.
A recent paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Association of Public Opinion Research found that a carefully executed opt-in Internet panel produces estimates that are as accurate as a telephone survey and that the two modes differ little in their estimates of other political indicators and their correlates (Ansolabehere and Schaffner, 2011).
Apart from the speed and cost of online research, online surveys allow for the use of audio-visual stimuli, experimental designs, and complex logic.
Project Costing
The cost of a project is affected by two factors: the length of the interview and number of completed interviews required.
It is recommended that an online survey go no longer than 20 minutes, but surveys 25 to 30 minutes in length of have conducted (albeit with much lower response rates).
For a quote or more information about academic research support, please contact David Coletto.
Qualitative Research
Abacus Data can also assist researchers looking to conduct qualitative analysis whether it be organizing and moderating focus groups, implementing a content or text analysis, or sending researchers out into the field to conduct independent in-depth interviews.
Quality is our number priority on these projects and we work closely with our clients to ensure that the methods we use will achieve their research objectives while following the highest standards of research ethics.
