Research

The Gallup Government Practice helps agencies develop public policies that benefit millions of Americans through research aimed at improving the effectiveness of government programs. Our contributions to public policy span a wide range of program areas, including healthcare, transportation, workforce development, education, publications, and communication support. Gallup continues its pioneering tradition by consistently taking on some of the most complex challenges in the field of research.

Customized Surveys

Gallup is well-versed in designing and implementing customized survey measurement systems for private and public sector organizations. Gallup has a broad range of experience in conducting cross-sectional, time series, and longitudinal surveys of varying size and scope, both domestically and internationally, using diverse methods and innovative technologies. The surveys we conduct range from small-to-large local and national studies to international mega-surveys, encompassing tens of thousands of respondents. As a full-service survey research firm, we have the personnel, experience, and in-house capability to handle all facets of research, including:

•  overall study design and analysis planning
•  developing survey instruments and other measurement or assessment tools
•  managing all aspects of mail, telephone, Internet, IVR, and mixed-made surveys
•  weighting samples to national estimates, including adjustments and post-stratification
•  preparing statistical analysis with automated and customized reports  

Market Research

Gallup has extensive experience in the development and execution of market research programs for private and public sector organizations, both domestically and internationally. We define market research broadly to include anything from creating and assessing a business plan to launching a new product or service, fine-tuning existing products and services, and expanding into new markets. It can be used to determine which segment of the population will purchase or use the product or service, based on demographic, attitudinal, and/or behavioral characteristics. Ultimately, the purpose of market research is to help organizations and government make better business decisions about the development and marketing of new products and services.

The studies we design vary in size and complexity and employ both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The studies range from small to mid-size local and national studies to mega-surveys, encompassing a few hundred to tens and even hundreds of thousands of respondents. Gallup has broad and extensive experience in market research surveys relying on a variety of methodologies and innovative and challenging technologies.

On the quantitative side, these include mail, telephone, in-person, interactive voice recognition (IVR) or touch-tone, Web/Internet, and mixed-mode designs, encompassing both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies that employ area probability samples, panels, list, RDD (random-digit-dial), mystery telephone, online/Internet, and mixed-methodology focus groups (including dial-up groups), as a way to collect data from experts, stakeholders, and the general public. Gallup has been one of the pioneers in developing innovative methodologies, especially CATI, Internet/Web, and IVR, and incorporating computer and Web technology into all facets of the research process. On the qualitative side, our research involves the use of focus groups (in-person, telephone, Web/Internet, dial-in, mixed mode), in-depth interviews, cognitive interviews, case studies, and related techniques -- see also Qualitative Research.   

Health Research

Gallup has been conducting healthcare research for more than 30 years. The healthcare practice is the largest single business unit within Gallup. We currently provide research to the federal and state governments, and over 600 hospitals and healthcare organizations, both for-profit and not-for-profit. In its commercial sector, Gallup has conducted hundreds of studies for healthcare organizations on public, patient, physician, and employee perceptions and the implications of their perceptions.

Gallup researchers work with organizations across the healthcare industry, including professional associations, hospitals, hospital systems, and similar organizations. We also focus on human resource management and labor issues related to individual and organizational assessment, workplace and employee engagement, and development practices designed to drive measurable and sustainable impact at the work unit level. The changing role and conditions of nurse employment is another area of concentration. For example, a number of our private sector clients are concerned with the growing worldwide shortage of nurses.

Gallup has conducted proprietary research for a number of hospitals to examine the impact of nurse staffing satisfaction and found a strong relationship between the number of nurses per patient, per day and key nursing performance indicators such as the percentage of overtime hours and nursing turnover rates. The greater the number of nurses on staff for each patient day, the lower the percentage of overtime hours and the lower the nursing turnover rate.

Within Gallup’s Government Group, we have provided research to a number of federal and state government agencies, foundations, and non-profit organizations on a wide range of topics from physician and nurse studies, health needs assessments, tobacco control, mental health issues, and healthcare costs, to cite just a few. Some of our recent and current clients include: the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, CDC, HRSA, SAMHSA/CMHS and CSAT, CDC, NIH, CMS, MedPac, the Veteran’s Administration, ONDCP, FDA, and FEHB. We have or are currently conducting research for the State Departments of Health in Nevada, Maine, Arkansas, California, Illinois, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Iowa, Maryland, New Mexico, New York, and Ohio.

Qualitative Research

Gallup has extensive experience developing the methodologies for and conducting qualitative research including in-depth interviews, cognitive interviews, case studies, and focus groups. Gallup’s focus-group capabilities, for example, range from in-person, telephone, online/Internet, and mixed-methodology focus groups to dial-up groups, as a way to collect data from general public, experts, stakeholders, and other population segments. Our staff has conducted hundreds of these sessions for a diverse group of public and private clients, including federal, state, and local governmental agencies, as well as commercial and non-profit organizations, both domestically and internationally.

Gallup uses focus groups to cover a broad range of needs, from product and audience testing to assessing informational and communication materials, including message and concept testing, to reviewing research hypothesis, question wording, and operationalizing research variables. Conventional focus groups are often combined with other qualitative and quantitative research techniques such as cognitive or in-depth interviews, or surveys. Given the growing importance of qualitative research, Gallup recently developed a training and certification program for its research staff, entitled Gallup Guide to Qualitative Research Training.  

Employee Research

Gallup’s assessment of employee engagement includes Gallup’s Q ¹² questions, which are based on the study of millions of employees, both public and private, and across many different industry sectors globally. These items have been found to consistently predict strong business outcomes, and are highly actionable. In addition, Gallup has found that providing a balance between empowerment and accountability is critical. Empowerment is not just freedom to make decisions, but also having the time, training, materials/equipment, support, and “voice” to do so.

Accountability includes not just a manager holding someone accountable, but also having clear, objective metrics that are frequently communicated, and have clear and objective rewards and consequences associated with them. Those with high levels of both are capable of becoming top performers . Those with high empowerment and low accountability are loose cannons. Broken spirits are employees with a high level of accountability, but very little empowerment. Chain Gang employees have little empowerment and unclear accountabilities, and tend to be very disengaged. In addition to the Q ¹², other indices are available that might help an organization measure its cultural prowess in areas such as innovation, inclusiveness, customer orientation, etc.

Panel

Size

Currently, the Gallup Panel consists of more than 67,000 individual members from more than 48,000 households. The Panel recruits new members on an ongoing basis to replenish those demographic segments that leave.

Response Rates

The response rates for any individual survey conducted through The Panel range between 50%-70%, depending on the length of the field period. However, in order to calculate the AAPOR or CASRO response rate, one must take into account all of the phases of recruitment. The initial RDD recruit has a response rate of approximately 27%. About 55% of those who agree to participate in The Panel ultimately return their welcome packet and are officially enrolled in The Panel. Thus, before conducting any individual study, the response rate is approximately 15%. For more information, please visit http://www.gallup.com/panel/19639/Research-Expertise.aspx .

World Poll

Coverage and Comparability

Gallup ’s World Poll continually surveys the well-being, behaviors, and attitudes of the world’s citizens in more than 130 countries and areas and provides a new access point to the voices, hearts, and minds of samples representing 95% of the Earth’s adult population. Worldwide core questions, as well as region-specific questions, are asked across countries over time, which enables leaders to compare data and spot trends.

Key Indicators

The World Poll measures key indicators such as Leadership, Law and Order, Food and Shelter, Work, Economics, Health, Well-Being, Migration, Environment, Education, Entrepreneurship, and Engaged Citizens and demonstrates their correlations with world development indicators such as GDP and Brain Gain. These indicators assist leaders in understanding the broad context of national interests and establishing organization-specific correlations between leading indexes and lagging economic outcomes.

Consulting and Data Interpretation

Immediate access to World Poll data and analysis is available through flexible Web-based applications that allow users to retrieve, compare, and track country data and monitor key indices. Gallup consultants and regional experts provide customized analysis and actionable strategies based on World Poll data. Custom courses on specific regions and topics are also available.

Principles of the Gallup World Poll

Gallup is entirely responsible for the management, design, control, and funding of the Gallup World Poll. For the past 70 years, Gallup has been committed to the principle that accurate dissemination of the opinions and aspirations of people around the globe is vital to understanding the world in which we live. Gallup’s mission is to provide such information in an objective, reliable, and scientifically grounded manner. Gallup is not associated with any political orientation, party, or advocacy group and does not accept partisan entities as clients.

Any individual, institution, or governmental agency may access the Gallup World Poll, regardless of nationality. The identities of individual clients and all surveyed respondents will remain confidential.

Findings and insights from the Gallup World Poll are available on both a public and proprietary basis. A selection of key findings will regularly appear on Gallup’s Web sites and may be accessed for free. However, the full set of global and country-specific data -- including scores of in-depth articles and detailed analyses -- are accessible to clients for a fee that is based on the amount of data and time of experts used. For more information, please visit www.gallupworldpoll.com .