Westat

03/31/2025

How can recent R packages enhance how analysts handle complex survey data? Westat’s Benjamin Schneider, MS, explores the use of two important packages in a new article in “The Survey Statistician.” Learn more about how these tools can help researchers conduct survey analyses with greater efficiency and accuracy.

A new article sheds light on two important extensions to the survey package in R, enhancing how analysts handle complex survey data.

03/26/2025

Quantum computing is set to revolutionize biomedical innovations. Westat experts explore the significant impact this technology will have on healthcare and medical research in a new feature story. Learn more about the future of medical research and treatment advancements:

Three Westat thought leaders discuss how this quantum computing will transform epidemiologic and genomic research and health care delivery

03/13/2025

A new study co-authored by Westat experts shows how MedMorph Reference Architecture automates hepatitis C data exchange for public health. The pilot demonstrated MedMorph's ability to streamline data sharing, reducing manual reporting and improving data completeness. Learn more:

A groundbreaking study has demonstrated the real-world effectiveness of the Making Electronic Data More Available for Research and Public Health (MedMorph) Reference Architecture (RA) in automating hepatitis C data exchange for public health surveillance and research.

03/11/2025

How can collaboration between statisticians and evaluators drive impactful research? Westat’s Elizabeth Eisenhauer, PhD, highlights opportunities to use data-driven insights to inform programs and policies in a new article featured in Amstat News. Learn more:

The latest issue of Amstat News, the membership magazine of the American Statistical Association (ASA), features an article by Westat’s Elizabeth Eisenhauer that explores how statisticians and evaluators collaborate to turn evidence into meaningful impact.

02/21/2025

Westat's Liz Mannshardt, PhD, has been named one of WashingtonExec's Top AI Executives to Watch in 2025! As VP & Director of our Statistics and Data Science Center, Liz and her team are focused on expanding Westat’s suite of data analytics and AI capabilities and furthering machine learning/AI innovations for clients' real-world needs.

Elizabeth (Liz) Mannshardt, PhD, has been named to Washington Executive's Top AI Executives to Watch in 2025.

02/18/2025

The intersection of AI and research opens new doors every day. Our data scientists blend expertise in statistics, computer science, and communications to transform insights that drive understanding. Find out how our team provides innovative solutions.

Westat’s data scientists formulate and solve important research questions using the latest AI, ML, NLP, and data visualization techniques.

02/10/2025

It’s National Clean Out Your Computer Day! Whether it's organizing research files or clearing desktop clutter, a tidy computer is a happy computer. Anyone else feeling inspired to do some digital spring cleaning?

02/03/2025

Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow yesterday, but does that really mean 6 more weeks of winter? Find out how often his prediction is correct: https://weather.com/news/weather/news/2025-01-31-did-the-groundhog-see-his-shadow-2025

01/23/2025

2024 was a busy year for us! Explore our most intriguing topics and discover how our experts are crafting innovative solutions to tackle our clients' toughest challenges. Ready to be inspired? Check out Westat’s insights:

Our Insights section provides the opportunity for our subject matter experts to provide their unique, in-depth insights into key topics.

01/20/2025

Today, we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy through service. U.S. Census Bureau data shows Dr. King's profound impact on voting rights, education, economic progress, and volunteerism. Westat staff pays tribute to his legacy through ongoing community service efforts.

U.S. Census Bureau Statistics in School activities, historical pages, surveys and data commemorate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

01/18/2025

On Monday we honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy by giving back to our communities via acts of service. Whether it’s cleaning up a park, serving at a food bank, or mentoring youth, every act of kindness can make a difference. How do you plan to give back? If you’re near our headquarters in Montgomery County, MD, you can check out this list of events for ideas! https://montgomerycountymd.galaxydigital.com/need/index?tag=MLK2025

01/17/2025

Vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children birth through 3 years. Westat’s Adele Polson and Doreen De Leonardis, PhD, presented at the 2025 Discussions Advancing Research in Transportation Safety (DARTS) Conference earlier this month, sharing important and meaningful takeaways on reducing child passenger deaths.

01/16/2025

ML can enhance survey assessments: New research co-authored by Westat expert Hanyu Sun, PhD, shows how combining Machine Learning with a recorded interview system called CARI can automatically identify problematic survey questions. This breakthrough makes survey development more efficient across large-scale data collections in real time while maintaining expert-level quality. Read more:

How can cutting-edge technology transform the way surveys are conducted? In 2023, Westat experts co-authored a Survey Practice paper, Can Machine Learning

01/15/2025

Excited to highlight key U.S. Department of Education contracts! Westat is leading research on how to study English learners, providing technical assistance for Promise Neighborhoods' cradle-to-career programs, and evaluating Regional Education Labs (RELs). Learn how we're helping create opportunities for every student to succeed and pushing the boundaries of what we know about what works for disadvantaged students.

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) has awarded several essential contracts to Westat to advance learning effectiveness for students and strengthen relationships between schools and communities.

01/15/2025

Members of Westat’s staff attended Special Olympics DC's annual Night of Trees Gala last month. Special Olympics DC serves more than 2,500 athletes and provides year-round sports training and competitions. Westat is thrilled to be able to support this important organization.

01/13/2025

Declining survey response rates are creating significant challenges for researchers, affecting both data quality and research costs across industries. Westat experts have identified viable strategies to combat these challenges. Here, in a Q&A session, Westat data science expert Gizem Korkmaz, PhD, gives her insights on how combining machine learning and paradata can transform survey participation rates.

Gizem Korkmaz discusses the potential, challenges, and future of combining paradata with machine learning to address declining survey response rates.

01/09/2025

How can we protect privacy while keeping vital survey data accessible? A new National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine report featuring Westat expert Tom Krenzke outlines strategies to safeguard respondent information in the U.S. Census Bureau’s Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP).

Safeguarding respondent confidentiality has become increasingly challenging due to the proliferation of databases containing personal information. A new report tackles these issues, outlining strategies to make SIPP data accessible while protecting privacy.

01/07/2025

At DARTS 2025, Westat experts Adele Polson and Doreen De Leonardis, PhD, will present innovative approaches to child passenger safety. Their research spans nationwide digital car seat check data and emerging ride-share safety concerns. Join us January 9-11 in Washington, DC, to learn how data drives safety improvements.

Westat experts will present at the 2025 Discussions Advancing Research in Transportation Safety (DARTS) Conference, held Jan. 9-11 in Washington, D.C.