SOCIAL RESEARCH & ANALYSIS
Helping organizations make better use of information they already have.
Most organizations are not short of information. The challenge is often deciding what deserves to count as evidence, how different pieces of information fit together, and what they reveal about a problem.
The practice
EXPLORE is a solo practice providing research and analytical support to organizations working on social and community issues.
Whether the task involves cleaning a database, reviewing existing research, developing a dashboard, evaluating a program, or producing evidence for a funding application, the goal is the same: helping organizations understand their information and use it well.
I work directly with clients and adapt projects to their needs, timelines, and resources. The person conducting the work is the person you speak with.
Who the work is for
I work with organizations in the public and social sector that need additional research and analytical capacity.
Often, these organizations are not looking for a large consulting engagement. They simply need someone to help answer a question, organize information, assess a program, review existing research, or make sense of data that has accumulated over time.
Municipalities, non-profits, associations, advocacy organizations, and community groups regularly encounter these situations. They often have information, experience, and expertise. What they may lack is the time or research capacity to bring those pieces together.
Examples
Research support can take many forms. Examples of projects may include:
- Cleaning and restructuring a database that has become difficult to use over time.
- Developing a dashboard to track program activities, service delivery, or outcomes.
- Conducting a literature review on an emerging social or policy issue.
- Supporting the development of evidence for a grant or funding application.
- Analyzing survey results and preparing a report for decision-makers.
- Assisting with a small-scale program evaluation.
- Synthesizing research and policy developments relevant to a particular issue.
- Organizing administrative data to support reporting requirements.
- Identifying trends or patterns in existing organizational data.
- Reviewing available evidence to help inform a new initiative or program.
Services
Whether leading a project from start to finish or contributing one element to a broader process, I provide research and analytical support where it is needed most.
Data Collection and Management
Reliable analysis begins with reliable information.
Support can include database organization, data cleaning, survey development, data collection planning, and improving the quality and usability of existing records.
Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis
Organizations often have questions that existing information can help answer.
Analysis can be used to identify patterns, understand community needs, explore program outcomes, examine trends, and support planning and decision-making.
Research and Knowledge Synthesis
Before collecting new information, it is often worth understanding what is already known.
Research reviews, environmental scans, literature reviews, and knowledge syntheses help organizations situate local issues within broader social, policy, and research contexts.
Reporting and Data Visualization
Evidence is only useful if it can be communicated clearly.
Report writing, summaries, dashboards, and visualizations designed to make findings accessible to decision-makers, staff, funders, and community partners.
Program Evaluation Support
Not every evaluation requires a large framework or extensive resources.
Support with clarifying objectives, identifying meaningful indicators, collecting evidence, and assessing program activities in ways that are practical and proportionate to organizational needs.
ABOUT
My name is Jean-Denis David and I lead EXPLORE.
I have a PhD in sociology and specialize in social statistics and applied research. Throughout my career, I have been interested in how organizations use evidence to understand social issues and inform decisions. I have published in peer-reviewed journals, taught research methods at the university level, and applied research in practical policy and organizational settings.
I have close to a decade of experience working in government roles involving survey research, policy analysis, and community engagement. Those experiences shaped my understanding of the realities organizations face: limited time, limited resources, and no shortage of information competing for attention.
Contact me
If you have a research question or project in mind, I would be happy to discuss it.
A short conversation about what you need and whether I am the right person to help you is usually the best place to start.
Email: email me