NORC statisticians and methodologists have pioneered innovations in all aspects of survey research, from understanding cognitive processes underlying respondents’ reaction to surveys and survey instrumentation to rigorous, efficient methods for conducting surveys and advanced techniques for analysis and interpretation of survey data. NORC boasts several world-renowned statisticians and methodologists, including five Fellows of the American Statistical Association.
NORC’s work in the area of respondent cognitive processes culminated in a number of key publications in the field of cognitive research, and continues to be a major strength in our organization's repertoire. NORC’s Statistics and Methodology Department makes substantial contributions to virtually all NORC projects and builds the methodological infrastructure that underlies all major NORC studies. This includes establishing statistical standards for use throughout the organization to ensure consistently high quality in the areas of sampling design and execution, development and testing of questionnaires and other instruments, statistical process control, design and development of estimation systems, statistical computing, disclosure and confidentiality analysis, record linkage, unduplication, and geocoding. In addition to these support functions, NORC statisticians and methodologists develop and execute projects with particular statistical or methodological complexities and assist social scientists from all parts of the organization in conducting research-related data analysis.
Specific areas of expertise include:
Data Systems Integration and Data Linkage
Variance Estimation
Weight Calculation