Methods & Measurement
GCRI develops and refines research methodologies to ensure our findings are accurate, reproducible, and ethically sound across diverse cultural and economic contexts.
Core Methodological Principles
Reproducibility
All major studies are pre-registered with detailed protocols. We publish analysis code, survey instruments, and data documentation to enable replication.
- ✓Pre-registration on OSF
- ✓Open analysis code (Jupyter notebooks)
- ✓Data dictionaries & codebooks
Cultural Validity
Survey instruments undergo cognitive testing and pilot studies in each region to ensure questions are culturally appropriate and meaningfully translated.
- ✓Forward-backward translation
- ✓Local cognitive testing
- ✓Regional advisory boards
Measurement Quality
We employ rigorous quality assurance measures including attention checks, response time monitoring, and post-stratification weighting.
- ✓Multi-layer quality checks
- ✓Geolocation verification
- ✓Post-stratification weighting
Ethical Standards
All research undergoes IRB review with particular attention to vulnerable populations, informed consent processes, and data protection requirements.
- ✓IRB approval required
- ✓Multi-language consent forms
- ✓GDPR & CCPA compliance
Sampling Approaches
Probability-Based Sampling
For the Global Shopper Observatory, we use probability-based panels and random digit dialing in countries where panels are not available. This ensures nationally representative samples.
Stratified Sampling
For Living Labs and targeted studies, we use stratified random sampling to ensure adequate representation of key subgroups while maintaining statistical power.
Adaptive Sampling
In hard-to-reach populations, we use respondent-driven sampling and venue-based approaches while adjusting for selection biases through statistical weighting.
Survey Development Process
Literature Review & Stakeholder Input
Review existing research, consult with regional experts, and identify measurement gaps.
Instrument Design
Draft survey questions with attention to cultural context, cognitive load, and response burden.
Cognitive Testing
Conduct think-aloud interviews in each major region to identify comprehension issues.
Pilot Testing
Field pilot studies (n=100-200) in representative samples to test skip logic, timing, and data quality.
Refinement & Finalization
Revise instruments based on pilot results and obtain final IRB approval before launch.
Methodological Innovation Areas
Mobile-First Design
Optimizing surveys for smartphone completion in regions where mobile is the primary internet access point.
Passive Data Collection
Ethical integration of behavioral data (with explicit consent) to complement self-reported survey data.
Cross-Cultural Equivalence
Developing measurement invariance techniques to ensure constructs are comparable across cultures.
Real-Time Quality Monitoring
Automated systems to flag data quality issues during fielding for immediate intervention.
Multilingual NLP
Natural language processing for open-ended responses in 30+ languages to extract themes at scale.
Differential Privacy
Applying privacy-preserving techniques to microdata release while maintaining analytical utility.
Methods Resources
Access our survey instruments, analysis code, and methodological papers.