The Researcher's Burden

The job of a researcher is to make the complicated simple.

This is to say that any research involves the complex analysis of typically large sets of data leading to results and interpretation. Employers and clients alike rely on the interpretation of the researcher to evaluate key decisions or to make important pivots for their organization. This sets the basis of any research position:

1. Design a study to answer a question

2. Collect data

3. Analyze data

4. Interpret results

5. Relay information

Another less visible burden of the researcher is to ensure that those who can make changes remember the results outside of the presentation of the materials.

This is to say that all decision makers or managers have multiple responsibilities and considerations on any given day. The presentation of data represents a small portion of a single day. This means that the small period of time in which a researcher has the attention of those able to make change, they must take advantage of that time and ensure memorable results. Too often research shared is not used or is forgotten soon after receipt. The researcher can highlight areas for an individual, but often is not the one who can ensure changes are made. Implementation of action plans is the most important result of quality research. The researcher's burden is in getting others to actually implement change.

The following strategies can provide a means of more successful outcomes related to the researcher's burden.

Simplification

Many times information is lost due to the sheer volume of data shared. It is hard to see the forrest when you are standing amonst the trees. Start simple with data presentations - show the entire picture so that you audience can get a better view of the landscape. For instance, in talking about satisfaction across and organization, look at the overall satisfaction first then zoom into certain aspects of satisfaction and then zoom in further into departmental differences. Develop this pattern intentionally so that the audience knows simply the context of the analysis

Consider how visuals are utilized. This includes the reduction of text within a presentation of materials. It may also mean the use of simple highlighting techniques to quickly identify important items. Also, consider how many datapoints are in one place - it may be more valuable to break out survey results of 20 related questions into 4+ slides than showing all 20 in one place if the visual is too complex. Make sure that the visuals used actually relate to the data and are easy to understand for any background - if you need to explain what the visualization is conveying, it is likely too complex. Having simple visuals allows others to focus on the narrative of the results while quickly connecting to a visual understanding. Some of the simplest changes can make a big difference, such as the removal of grid lines, unncessary labels, the addition of key contextual labels, enlarging of visualizations, or the highlighting of specific items.

Construct a Narrative

Telling the right story can be an overlooked portion of data research. All data has a story to tell, it is ultimately the researcher's responsibility to identify and properly tell that story. A good narrative has the potential to leave a lasting impression on its listeners.

In order to tell the right story, identify the most important messages. If you are analyzing 50 different elements, and only three have significant findings, there is no need to go through all 50 items in detail. If you are looking at a forrest, describing every single tree, nobody is going to remember where the handful of trees with dead limbs are, or even that there were trees with dead limbs. Identify your keys points and stick to them - weave in the related messages that strenghten the ultimate result(s) of the research. Just as before, stick to a simple narrative, you want your audience to be able to follow along with everything you are saying.

Consider this phrase "There's no place like home." By itself, the phrase has little meaning. However, thanks to the existence of the Wizard of Oz, a movie from 1939, this phrase carries meaning and generates images of Dorothy closing her eyes and tapping her red slippers together. The goal as a researcher should be to create a narrative so strong that it will be remembered throughout an employee's experiences. Typical narrative structures; exposition, rising action, climax, and resolution can easily help guide the structure of a research narrative as well.

Implement Planning as part of the Research Process

A researcher may not be able to force individuals to make change themselves. However, proper processes in place can remove some barriers to the work itself. A difficult part of the change process can smiply be starting. In this case, this could mean establishing action plans.

As a researcher, including a planning process at the conclusion of a research project is a means of ensuring that others will carefully take a look at the data that was shared, consider its meaning, and determine how individual results can be appropriately addressed. Establishing a process that includes a final report with a step by step guide of what needs to happen next along with responsible individuals makes change visible and achievable. This does not guarantee change, but puts strucutre around it.

Follow up

As people with competing priorities, it is easy for any of us to remember all of the things we plan to implement. Sometimes all we need is a little reminder.

As a researcher, every recommendation or action plan ever made will not be remembered either. Write down the conclusions of each project along with timelines for implementation. Create a schedule to follow up with your direct audience to see if there have been any significiant changes. A quick prompt can be all that is needed to remind others that changes were needed or allow for space to ask additional questions. Be the push notification that we all need to be on time, remember important dates/appointments, or better ourselves.

Create Accountability

Lastly, identify means to hold others accountable for their respecitve areas and changes that need to be made. Where action plans have been created, identify the responsible party or departments for implementation. Develop a shared tracking report that allows others to see progress on individual goals across departments. Be transparent with results.

In the midst of developing reports, identify key performance metrics which can be periodically pulled to track progress. Sometimes all that an individual needs to implement change is a demonstration that change is having a positive effect. Identifying where progress can be made and who is responsible allows others to take responsibility for their own growth.

Summary (Resolution)

Creating action is challenging. However, consideration of how you can better reach each individual audience is one of the best ways to grow as a researcher. New statistical techniques, visualization tools, or technology are all valuable. However, if at the end of the research, the information gathered is still not structured in a simple narrative for the audience to understand, the research will be rendered ineffective.

Take into account careful consideration for how recommendations will be implemented or how progress to goals will be tracked. Contiuously follow up and create a culture of accountability. Ulitmately, find a way to ensure that your research will be remembered.

Contact info@evolvemarketresearch.com for any questions on your own research methodologies.