Work With Us

The QDRL works with internal and external agencies in order to test survey questionnaires. Below is an outline of our project process. This is the path that projects generally follow; however, this may vary project to project. The amount of time required for each step will depend on the project size as well as the number of projects currently in progress.

For more information or to work with us, please contact Karen Whitaker kwhitaker@cdc.gov

Project Process

Timeline of a typical QDRL Project:

Step 1- Proposal: Client submits a proposal for a project that they would like to be conducted. Once an agreement is in place, QDRL staff work to develop a package to submit for OMB clearance, which includes all specifications for the project.

Step 2 – Clearance: All QDRL projects must be receive OMB clearance as well as be reviewed by the NCHS ERB before the project can begin. This process usually takes approximately 6-8 weeks.

Step 3 – Recruitment: QDRL staff design and implement a plan to recruit and screen respondents in order to ensure that they meet all the specifications of a particular study.

Step 4 – Interviewing: QDRL staff conduct in depth cognitive interviews with respondents. The amount of time required for this varies greatly based on the number of interviews required for the project.

Step 5 – Analysis: QDRL staff members analyze interview data using Q-Notes, a software tool developed by QDRL specifically to collect and analyze interview data. Q-Notes provides a way to conduct a fast, thorough systematic analysis of the data to determine patterns of interpretation for each question and to determine whether different groups interpret questions differently.

Step 6 – Documentation: Findings are written into a report along with a description of the methodology used to reach conclusions. All findings are supported by empirical evidence from interviews, adding transparency and accountability to the research.

Step 7 – Publication: All final reports are submitted to Q-Bank. Q-Bank is an on-line database that houses cognitive interviewing and other question evaluation reports, making QDRL question evaluation studies accessible to other federal statistical agencies, the larger survey research community, and the public.

Featured Projects

Learn about some of the previous projects the QDRL has conducted.

QDRL Profiles