We may be biased, but our recent Live Event with Amy Anderson and Leslie Rich, PhD, delivered a clarity jolt for researchers juggling data quality and deadlines. Their deep dive into data cleaning fundamentals and survey quality was packed with practical insights and backed by real-world experience.
If you missed it? Here’s a taste of what was covered—and why we’re still thinking about it days later.
A Masterclass in Data Quality
Amy and Leslie don’t just talk about data cleaning—they live it. With decades of experience between them, they shared some of the exact strategies they use to fight fraud, clean messy data, and protect the integrity of survey research.
“Bad data leads to bad decisions—and lost credibility.” — Amy Anderson, Founder and Research Director, Solutions Through Research, and Research Rockstar Instructor
“Cleaning data is never glamorous, but it’s where real research earns its credibility.” — Leslie Rich, PhD, Research Solutions Expert at Alchemer
From attention checks to early data monitoring, their tips are essential for survey research data quality.
3 Takeaways That Made Our Attendees Say “Oof, I Needed That”
These are just a few highlights from a session packed with best practices:
- Red Herrings & Real Checks Matter. Attention checks can’t be an afterthought. Amy emphasized using red herrings and logic tools during programming—and testing them thoroughly before a soft launch (pre-test).
- Document Everything, Always. Amy and Leslie stressed the importance of documenting every data cleaning decision—from how outliers are handled to how duplicates are removed. It’s not just good practice; it’s critical for transparency, repeatability, and client trust.
- Fraud is Sneaky. Be Sneakier. From detecting bots to catching speeders, this session described ways to spot and handle suspicious responses. (IP scoring, anyone?)
Thank You to Our Survey Research Experts!
We’re so thankful to Amy Anderson, Founder and Research Director at Solutions Through Research and a long-time Research Rockstar instructor, for leading this session with her signature clarity and rigor. And to Dr. Leslie Rich, Research Solutions Expert at Alchemer; we’re lucky to have had her as a guest expert.
Want More Like This?
This session was just one example of how Research Rockstar is committed to advancing the work—and careers—of professionals in qualitative and quantitative research. From 26 self-paced eLearning courses to Rent-a-Researcher staffing, we’re here to support real researchers with real tools. Checkout our upcoming Instructor-led Live Events.