Consulting

Survey methods consulting

We provide consultation on survey methods, including the development and translation of survey instruments, survey design and fieldwork, survey statistics, as well as the comparability of survey data. Drawing on our extensive experience and foundational research at GESIS, we offer tailored advice at every stage of the research process to ensure your data achieves the highest possible quality.

Who is this service for?
We provide consultation to researchers within the context of research and infrastructure projects, whose outputs benefit the social sciences (e.g., through publications, publicly available data, or validated measurement instruments). Unfortunately, we are unable to offer advice on bachelor's or master's theses.

What are the costs?
Short consultations, offered as a form of guidance for self-help, are free of charge. We are also happy to support you with more in-depth, fee-based consulting services. Further details can be found in our pricing overview.

Our consulting services at a glance

Questionnaire design

We consult on questionnaire design, pretesting methods, the development and formulation of questions and items, as well as the reuse of existing questions and items. We also advise on comparability and translation. We offer support for surveys in both national and international contexts, and across various survey modes.

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Survey design

We consult on survey design, the implementation of surveys, and the documentation of national and international surveys. In addition, we advise on the collection of supplementary data.

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Survey statistics and sampling design

We consult on the planning of your sampling design, including determining the appropriate sample size. We also offer consulting services for non-random or deterministic sampling designs.

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Weighting and missing data

We consult on weighting, imputation of missing data, and nonresponse analysis.

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Harmonization

We consult on assessing and improving the comparability of survey data. This includes comparability across countries and languages, subpopulations, time periods, different question formulations and response scales, as well as across survey modes.

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Cognitive pretesting
Empirically assess the comprehensibility and validity of questions in-depth

Sampling
We draw telephone samples and complex samples for you

Weighting and analysis of complex data
We perform weighting, imputation, or nonresponse bias analyses for you

GESIS survey guides
Practical guidelines on survey methodology topics

SQP - Survey quality predictor
Estimate the measurement quality of questions using meta-analysis

Meet the Experts - Season 1: Survey Methodology
Recorded lectures from our "Meet the Experts" series

QuestionLink
Harmonization of questions for selected constructs with recoding scripts and an R package for your own projects