In our M3 era
We are pleased to announce that our team has relocated from the Mathematics & Computer (MC) building to the Mathematics 3 (M3) building, situated directly across William Tutte Lane.
Conference Highlights: American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) 80th Annual Conference
The 2025 AAPOR conference, which took place in St. Louis, brought together leading experts to discuss cutting-edge developments in survey methodology, recruitment strategies, and the integration of AI in research. Key topics included:
- Smarter questionnaire design
- Innovative recruitment strategies
- Tackling bots & synthetic respondents
From AI in surveys to gamified incentives and data equity, this year’s conference was packed with insights shaping the future of research. Conference presentations highlighted major advancements and challenges in survey research, focusing on questionnaire design, recruitment strategies, data quality, inclusivity, and the growing role of AI. Sessions on questionnaire design emphasized how question formats influence data quality. Studies showed that “select all that apply” questions tend to suppress item endorsement compared to yes/no formats, while matrix layouts increase cognitive burden and straight-lining. Experiments on response order effects revealed primacy effects in web surveys and recency effects in telephone surveys, particularly among respondents with lower education levels. Researchers also discussed error reduction in paper surveys, noting that horizontal filter designs significantly reduce commission errors compared to vertical layouts.
The conference also addressed challenges posed by professional and synthetic respondents. Best practices for identifying dishonest or overly experienced participants included using red-herring questions, paradata analysis, and knowledge-based checks. Discussions highlighted the need for context-sensitive approaches to avoid bias in screening, especially when considering cultural and linguistic diversity. AI’s impact on survey research was a major focus of many conference sessions. Researchers shared findings that indicate that respondents may use AI tools to complete surveys, raising concerns about data integrity. Some effective detection strategies that were discussed include reverse shibboleth questions and monitoring unnatural response patterns. Generative AI offers efficiency gains in questionnaire design, coding, and data processing but introduces questions about reproducibility and bias. Experts stressed the importance of evaluation benchmarks and adapting best practices for AI-assisted research, while exploring frameworks for integrating AI as an assistant, tool, or methodology.
AAPOR 2025 highlighted the dynamic nature of survey research—balancing methodological rigor, technological innovation, and inclusivity. As AI reshapes the landscape of survey research, creative solutions and ethical considerations will define the next era of data collection.
Academic Program Reviews: Current Student Survey
The partnership between the Statistical Consulting and Survey Research Unit (SCSRU), Institutional Analysis and Planning (IAP), and the Academic Quality Enhancement (AQuE) office expands to support programs in their student surveying efforts. The Academic Program Review (APR) student survey will be administered by the SCSRU in a pilot iteration in Winter 2026, and will be an annual survey for programs undergoing cyclical program reviews every Fall after that. Data from the survey informs program review self-studies.
Featured Projects
Canadian Study of Violence Against Paramedics (CSVAP)
Principal Investigator Dr. Renée MacPhee from Wilfrid Laurier University, along with co-investigators from the University of Regina, Dalhousie University, and other partners, is leading a national study to address the current gap in knowledge about violence against paramedics in Canada. Using web-based surveys administered by the Statistical Consulting and Survey Research Unit (SCSRU) at the University of Waterloo, the research aims to better understand how incidents of violence impact the mental health and wellbeing of paramedics and their families. Findings from the study will include recommendations for policymakers, educators, paramedic services, and other stakeholders. Results will be shared with paramedics and participating organizations, submitted to peer-reviewed journals, and presented at national and international conferences.
Childhood Adversity and Trauma Coping in Firefighters Survey
Dr. John Mielke and a research team from the School of Public Health Sciences at the University of Waterloo are conducting a study to explore how early life experiences shape the ways firefighters cope with stress and trauma. The web-based study will recruit participants through firefighter association advertisements across Alberta and Ontario. Researchers aim to understand how childhood experiences influence key psychological resources such as emotional regulation, social support, and self-efficacy. The Statistical Consulting and Survey Research Unit (SCSRU) provided its full suite of services, including consultation, survey design and programming, testing, online hosting, daily monitoring of completion rates, and preparation of a final dataset and technical report. Findings from this study will help inform and strengthen mental health support programs for firefighters nationwide.
Data Science Admissions survey
Marie Kahkejian and her colleagues from the Data Science program at the University of Waterloo are conducting a study to better understand the decision-making factors of prospective students applying to the Master of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (MDSAI) and the Master of Mathematics (MMath) in Data Science programs at Waterloo. The web-based survey targeted students who had received an offer of admission and either (a) declined immediately, (b) accepted the offer, or (c) accepted initially but later withdrew or declined. The goal of the research is to identify the factors that influence applicants’ decisions to apply, accept, or decline admission, and to gather feedback on how these programs can be improved. The Statistical Consulting and Survey Research Unit (SCSRU) supported the project by conducting data collection on behalf of the research team. Findings from this study will help inform program enhancements and ensure the needs of future students are better met.
Travel to Treatment
Researchers from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada are conducting a national study to better understand the effects of travel for cancer treatment on individuals and families. The online survey asked participants to share their experiences travelling outside their home communities for treatment. The goal of this research is to quantify the personal and social impacts of travel for cancer care and present this information to decision-makers to inform discussions about treatment reimbursement and health equity. The survey explores how factors such as finances, education, housing, and employment influence the experiences of people affected by cancer. The Statistical Consulting and Survey Research Unit (SCSRU) supported this project by providing survey review, quantitative analysis (including linear regression), and qualitative analysis (open-ended theming). Findings from this study will help ensure that equity considerations are incorporated into future drug reimbursement and health policy decisions.
Upcoming Events
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Data Organization Made Easy with dplyr
Are you ready to transform messy datasets into clean, structured insights? This workshop introduces you to dplyr -- a powerful R package for data manipulation.
Unlock the Power of Linear Regression
Linear regression models, also known as linear models, are essential tools in various fields due to their simplicity and ease of interpretation. This workshop offers a comprehensive introduction to both simple and multiple linear regression.