Information Box Group
Research Conversations Request a Research Conversation
We provide up to 4 hours of FREE research methods advice and coaching each year to anyone doing or thinking about doing research (students, staff and faculty from any Faculty at McMaster, community-based researchers, those at other institutions) on any social research topic. We exist to help you do high quality, impactful research and are fully committed to your success. If we can’t help, we’ll work to find someone who can.
Discussion topics include: “I want to explore <very cool topic>, but don’t know how to start?”, “Which software is best to do <insert random research activity here>?”, “I’ve been working on <very cool topic>, but this thing went wrong…”, “I’ve done this amazing study. How do I approach getting it into the world?”.
Access to Qualtrics (McMaster Faculty of Social Sciences only) Learn More
Spark manages licenses for Qualtrics survey software on behalf of the Faculty of Social Sciences for its faculty and students. Our priority will be researchers with survey designs that do not work as well in Lime survey. Particularly, Qualtrics does a superior job with experimental designs including split samples and randomization, providing access to respondent panels in countries around the world, and longitudinal tracking. All licenses are purchased by the Faculty of Social Sciences and available to FSS researchers.
Note: only FSS researchers (faculty, staff or students) can request access to the Qualtrics survey software.
Spark's Research Conversation Team
Are you looking for assistance with your social research? Our qualified team is here to help. Contact us to get in touch to see how Spark can help you.
Lance Marwood
Lance is a wizard when it comes to communications, particularly with the written word. He is excited to be taking on the channels which Spark uses for broadcasting. Outside of Mac, he’s a Director of Communications with V13 Media and V13 Promotions, a vinyl enthusiast, and total nerd.
Michelle Dion
Michelle is an expert in quantitative research design. She specializes in comparative political economy, comparative political behaviour, and research design and methodology. Michelle Dion is an award-winning Associate Professor of Political Science.
Lily Wang
Lily has a background in Physics and Computer Science and is passionate about data security, fair use and Research Data Management.