Survey Research
A market researcher came to us with data from a survey. To give her the information she wanted, we had to use a multitude of statistical techniques, including correlation, the t-test, linear regression, ANOVA (analysis of variance), and the binomial test. It would have been more efficient, as well as less expensive for the client, if the survey questions had all been structured the same way so that the same statistical technique could have been used for all of them. For future projects, we advised the client to come to us at the design phase of the survey (i.e., when the questions were being written). Statistical advice early on simplifies the analysis phase and ensures that the data you collect actually can answer your research questions.