Education

Master of Science in Survey Research and Methodology
     University of Nebraska-Lincoln (May 2009)

Bachelor of Science in Sociology
    University of Oregon (2002-2005)

Professional Work Experience

Graduate Research Assistant : Gallup Research Center
Lincoln, NE (August 2007 – May 2009)

Assisted SRAM faculty on survey-related research projects. Responsibilities included conducting data analysis, literature reviews, report writing, presentation of results. Research topics included mobile phone surveys, nonresponse and measurement errors in mail surveys and a review of web-based Internet surveys.

Methodological Research Intern : The Nielsen Company
Oldsmar, FL (Summer 2008)

Performed variety of activities including data analysis, data coding and editing, conducting follow-up cognitive interviews and interviews of translation providers. Worked with team to manage Nielsen's shift from telephone recruitment of households to address-based recruitment via mixed-mode survey design for the TV ratings measurement. Researched translation issues, developed interview guide for assessing translation providers, conducted the interviews and provided recommendations to the senior VP.

Research Project Manager : Campbell DeLong Resources, Inc.
Portland, OR (December 2005 – July 2006)

Worked closely with senior partners in each phase of the survey process to develop the research design and schedule; responsible for coordinating with outside vendors to see projects through from the RFP stage to final presentation of deliverables.

As both a project manager and research analyst, responsibilities included: responding to RFPs, attending client meetings, questionnaire design, assisting in development of focus group discussion guides, sample design, data collection decisions, writing reports and client presentations.

Also responsible for managing client relationships and providing daily updates to clients.

Market Research Intern : My Little Salesman, Inc.
Eugene, OR (June 2005 – October 2005)

Designed and implemented survey consisting of four questionnaires of two populations measuring customer satisfaction and testing new product ideas.

Responsible for drawing random sample, questionnaire design, data analysis, report writing and presentation of results to key staff.

Research Intern : Oregon Survey Research Laboratory
Eugene, OR (January 2005 – June 2005)

Worked very closely with Principal Investigators on community-based research project of Native American communities in the Northwest. Implemented Dillman’s Tailored Design Method to design mail questionnaires. Performed Internet research, and some data analysis.

Was trusted with confidential information and asked to assist in writing the final report and presentation to the client.

Skills and Competencies

Training and work experience in many phases of survey research:
  • Marketing Research
  • Data collection methods
  • Sample selection
  • Questionnaire design
  • Data coding, editing & analysis
  • Report writing & presentation
Work experience in Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis:
  • Multiple Regression Analysis
  • Categorical Data Analysis
  • ANOVA
  • Factor Analysis
  • Conjoint Analysis
  • Customer satisfaction surveys
  • Product & message testing
  • Telephone surveys of voters
  • Qualitative focus groups
  • Community-based surveys of Native Americans
Software proficiencies:
  • Statistical packages: SPSS, SAS, R
  • MS Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook
  • Proficient in both Windows and Mac operating systems

Awards

Full Academic Scholarship, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2007-2009)
Graduate Research Assistantship, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2007-2009)

Professional Memberships

American Association of Public Opinion Research (2007-present)
Midwest Association of Public Opinion Research (2007-present)

Publications

Smyth, J. D. & Pearson, J. E. (forthcoming). Internet surveys: A review of strengths, weaknesses, and innovations. In M. Das, P. Ester, & L. Kaczmirek (Eds.), Social Research and the Internet: Advances in Applied Methods and New Research Strategies.

Bloom, J. D., & Pearson, J. E. (2008). Reliable compared to what? A probability-theory based test of the reliability of election polls. In F. Scheuren & W. Alvey (Eds.), Elections and Exit Polling (pp. 280-292), Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

Conference Presentations

Pearson, J. E., Wang, Y., Olson, K., Smyth, J. D. (2009). Development of a new scale to measure literacy without a reading assessment. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the American Association of Public Opinion Research, Hollywood, FL.

Pearson, J. E., Bensky, N., Grabowski, G. & Smarr, J. (2008). High-speed data entry of questionnaires via scanning in an address-based sampling frame: Speed, accuracy and cost-effectiveness. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Midwest Association of Public Opinion Research, Chicago, IL.

Pearson, J. E., Olson, K., Liu, A. (2008). And Stay Out! The effect of access impediments on non-response bias in household surveys. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Association of Public Opinion Research, New Orleans, LA.

Bloom, J. D. & Pearson, J. E. (2005). A probability-theory based test of the reliability of election polls. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Association of Public Opinion Research, Miami, FL.

Additional Papers

Lai, J., Vanno, L., Link, M., Pearson, J. E., Makowska, H., Benezra, K., & Green, M. (2009). Life 360: Usability of mobile devices for time use surveys. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Association of Public Opinion Research, Hollywood, FL.

Liu, A., Kaminska, O., Pearson, J. E., & McCutcheon, A. L. (2008). Mode effects on extreme answers. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Association of Public Opinion Research, New Orleans, LA.

International Travel

India (2004), Italy (1999), Czech Republic (1999), Spain (1997)