Sarah Spell, Ph.D. Email & Phone Number

Washington, Dc, Us

Washington D.C. Metro Area

-Provide research expertise for projects from diverse policy initiatives (e.g., land conservation, health policy, student loan research) in selecting contractors, evaluating proposals and research materials, consulting on research design (i.e., identifying appropriate sampling methods, data collection modes, sample size), writing questionnaires, interpreting findings, and conducting data quality checks.-Collaborate on strengthening the institution's survey standards to mitigate error and to increase trust in findings. -Liaise with contractors to ensure project deliverables and deadlines meet project team expectations and that products meet quality standards.-Analyzed multiple cross-sectional surveys to determine mode effects and which mode yielded lower costs, increased response rate, and improved statistical validity.-Track surveys to identify institutional needs, such as enacting master service agreements with preferred contractors to streamline prices and decrease contracting time for project teams (from 45 to 20 business days). -Promote institution-wide learning by programming monthly researcher meetings to build community and enhance technical skills; by authoring best practices guides and seminars for designing, developing, and executing public opinion research; and by training researchers in Stata, NVivo, and Qualtrics.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

-Principal investigator responsible for two surveys on small business workers (n = 2,918) and employers (n = 1,639), resulting in ten written reports and short analyses. -Designed surveys using national probability samples in addition to company and state program-wide censuses. Conduct cognitive interviews to ensure survey quality. -Began research design of multi-state panel survey study, including identifying the best sampling strategy and evaluating proposals from external survey vendors.-Led research on defined contribution retirement plans fees using BrightScope administrative data from 2009-2016 (n = 680,169).-Coded and analyzed focus group data for employers and employees at small- and mid-sized businesses using NVivo. Led the creation of a written report of employer focus groups. Authored two additional written reports integrating worker focus group data with survey findings. -Developed research plans and supervised analyses using multiple waves of the Survey of Income and Program Participation dataset (n = 16,039) resulting in three written reports. -Regularly presented research at conferences, forums, and meetings to industry professionals, researchers, and government officials.-Chaired brown bag series focused on teaching statistics, software, and research methodology.

Greater Philadelphia Area

Instructor for SOCI 120: Social Statistics

Greater Philadelphia Area

-Conducted preliminary statistical analyses on the Adjunct Project (n = 7,060) and 2004 National Study of Postsecondary Faculty (n = 26,100) for reports to the project lead.-Led data management and statistical analysis for the Coalition of Academic Workers (n = 28,974) using SAS and STATA.-Conducted and interpreted bivariate and multivariate analyses (logistic, ordered logistic, multinomial logistic) for professional audiences via written articles and poster presentations.

Greater Philadelphia Area

TA or lab instructor for the following courses:SOCI 001: Introduction to SociologySOCI 004: Sociology of FamilySOCI 100: Introduction to Sociological Research and Methods CRIM 280: Neighborhood Dynamics of CrimeMSSP 630: Quantitative Reasoning/Social StatisticsMSSP 897: Applied Linear Modeling

New York, Ny

-Conducted extensive data cleaning and identification of mismatched, duplicate, or missing names or research identification numbers for student-level data at 145 schools.-Supervised the work of two research assistants and worked with a six-person data team to create a master crosswalk for entire project (n = 33,957).-Managed data files to ensure variable lengths, formats, names, and values were correct.-Wrote and archived detailed data documentation memos.

-Collaborated with local managers to ensure data quality via checks to identify potentially skipped questions, outliers, or non-valid answers of face-to-face surveys in the field (rural Malawi) prior to data entry. -Verified accuracy of sample information across survey waves by matching data using Stata.-Using cross-sectional survey data (n = 898), wrote Master's thesis that focused on how educational attainment of women in rural Malawi was associated with household wealth.

-Transformed messy survey and administrative datasets using advanced SAS techniques into easily interpreted tables for a policy audience. -Led company wide data standardization project to encourage cross-project work.

Conducted cognitive interviews and expert reviews to improve surveys.

Doctor Of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Sociology

Bachelor’S Degree, Sociology; Psychology