Don A. Dillman, Ph.D., joined Gallup as a Senior Scientist in 1995. He is the Regents Professor and the Thomas S. Foley Distinguished Professor of Government and Public Policy in the Departments of Sociology and Community and Rural Sociology at Washington State University in Pullman, Washington. He is also the Deputy Director for Research and Development in the Social and Economic Sciences Research Center at Washington State University.
Dillman's primary area of expertise is in survey methods. His current research emphasizes how visual layout and design of questionnaires influences answers to survey questions and the implications that has for conducting mixed-mode surveys. His work has also emphasized developing better survey implementation methods.
In his role as a Gallup Senior Scientist, Dillman has advised Gallup on the development of improved methods for mail, Web, and Interactive Voice Response surveys and their uses in mixed-mode situations. He has also led seminars at Gallup offices and worked with Gallup's mail and Internet teams to improve data collection procedures. He has performed visual testing of the Clifton StrengthsFinder Web site and has conducted experiments at Washington State University aimed at solving problems referred to him by Gallup associates.
Dillman has authored nine books and more than 200 other publications, the majority of which concern improving the quality of survey data. He earned his doctorate in sociology from Iowa State University.
In 2004, Dillman received the American Association for Public Opinion Research award for Exceptionally Distinguished Achievement, the highest honor awarded in the United States in the field of public opinion research. In 2000, Dillman received the Roger Heriot Award for Innovation in Federal Statistics for his work on developing new implementation procedures for the 2000 Decennial Census. He is the only person outside the federal government to receive that award.
Dillman was the Senior Survey Methodologist in the Office of the Director at the U.S. Bureau of the Census from 1991-1995. He has served as president of the Rural Sociological Society and as president of the American Association for Public Opinion Research. He was a fellow and advisor for the Kellogg National Fellowship Program. He is an elected fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Statistical Association.
