Research in the service of greater understanding

DHM Research uses sound research practices and carefully considered analysis to produce clear, meaningful insights for our clients. Grounded in a commitment to quality and authenticity, we design custom research strategies to meet the specific demands of each project.

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Quantitative Research

Surveys are a time-tested method of gathering quantitative data to track trends over time or across geography. Our advanced and ever-evolving applications of these research methods ensure the accuracy and statistical reliability of the resulting data.

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Telephone Surveys

For many projects, telephone surveys remain the gold standard when it comes to random sampling, statistical reliability and comprehensive insight.

DHM’s sampling capability includes mobile phones, multi-lingual interviews and database sourcing. Our approach can include a mix of live interviewers and text messages inviting recipients to take the survey online when it’s convenient for them.

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Online Surveys

Changing communication preferences have made online surveys increasingly popular. Online surveys are ideal when testing visuals or targeting younger respondents and hard-to-reach populations at a relatively low cost. They are also effective community engagement tools.

DHM’s online polling platform is easy to use and allows respondents to complete the survey from any device: computer, tablet or mobile phone. Working closely with our programming partners, we integrate complex skip patterns, customize survey responses, use heat mapping, write questions that incorporate the use of images for respondents with limited English proficiency, and find other unique solutions to meet the needs of our clients.

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Mail Surveys

Mail surveys can provide wider reach and higher response rates than telephone or online surveys. They also allow us to send initial survey invitations in multiple languages to improve accessibility in multilingual communities.

Qualitative Research

Research methods like individual interviews and focus groups produce in-depth qualitative data to enable deeper understanding of participants’ feelings, ideas and motivations. These discussions are led by experienced research professionals who are adept at drawing out authentic answers.

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Focus Groups

Focus groups provide in-depth context and insights, and are useful for studying communities where quantitative research is difficult. These sessions allow for deep content analysis and are especially valuable for strategic planning, public policy development, and determining the efficacy of media communications campaigns.

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In-Depth Interviews

In-depth interviews provide the opportunity for one-one-one conversations, and are highly effective at assessing opinions and motivators in a private and confidential manner. Interviews provide robust information and build goodwill with participants, often making them feel more supportive of the sponsor. They work well when participants have extremely busy schedules or are reluctant to share their ideas in front of others, as in a focus group.

A DHM interview is guided by a set of questions, but flows freely and allows the respondent opportunities to elaborate on their responses. We find that this provides a clearer representation of their overall views.

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Custom Research Design

Mixed Methodology

No two research projects are alike, so neither are our research strategies. We approach each project on its own terms and combine methodologies to meet the client’s specific needs and limitations. As societal and demographic shifts have exposed gaps in representation and changed how people want to participate in surveys, it is more important than ever to carefully consider how to give voice to hard-to-reach populations.

Analysis

Data is only as powerful as what you do with it. The DHM team has deep expertise analyzing the results of qualitative and quantitative research, and presenting meaningful insights to guide our clients’ decisions. We produce far more than a list of stats and an abstract. Our analysis identifies differences in attitudes and behavior based on demographic and psychographic groups (defined by shared traits like values, beliefs or lifestyles). We find links among characteristics and attitudes, then examine their implications for the client and their goals.

Strategic Partners

DHM is proud to partner with exceptional communication agencies, public affairs firms, consulting firms and others to give our clients access to an even broader range of expertise. These partners enable our clients to turn our research insights into action through further guidance around awareness, values, beliefs, messaging and more.

Make decisions
with confidence

DHM has over four decades of experience applying quantitative and qualitative research strategies to help our clients understand their audiences to make stronger decisions.

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