As we head into a new school year and kiddos are getting back into the swing of things, it’s also time to think about getting back into the swing of educational research and evaluation.

How many times have you read a headline in the news regarding shocking new research findings? The first question you should ask yourself is What was the size of that sample? before believing what you’ve read.

To make informed decisions regarding their market, clients, and employees, organizations often look for ways to collect information about their people. This could include learning about their experiences, motivators, or needs, just to name a few.

Organizations of all types and size are increasingly tracking metrics to inform decisions, assess progress, and forecast future needs. For example, corporations often track expenses, sales, and headcount while non-profits track overhead, donations, and people served.