Brian M. Wells
Pronouns: He/Him
Brian is a senior research methodologist in the Methodology & Quantitative Social Sciences department at NORC at the University of Chicago. He is involved in a variety of mixed-mode survey projects using his background and expertise in survey methodology and statistics to evaluate nonresponse and data collection methods. Brian has over 15 years of experience in the field of survey research focusing on implementing and evaluating mixed-mode methodologies and survey redesigns in both health and social surveys.
Brian is currently the methodological lead for the General Social Survey (GSS) guiding the 2024 design along with evaluating recent mode changes and other questionnaire experiments. He also coordinates the GSS sensitive data application process. Brian also supports a variety of state-based health surveys including the Mountain State Assessment of Trends in Community Health Survey, the Healthy Illinois Survey, and the Latino Health and Rural County Policy Contexts Survey, providing guidance on sampling, data collection, and methodological experiments related to mixed-mode designs.
Prior to joining NORC, Brian was the lead methodologist of the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) at the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. He spearheaded the CHIS redesign from a random-digit dial telephone survey to an address-based sample, mixed-mode survey. He also oversaw the development of multiple oversamples and follow-on surveys targeting hard-to-survey populations and co-chaired the CHIS sexual orientation and gender identity working group. Brian has also worked on improving designs for the Health and Retirement Study, Nielsen TV and Audio Panels, and the Nebraska Behavioral Health Consumer Survey.
Quick Links
Education
PhD
University of Michigan
MS
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
BS
Brigham Young University
Honors & Awards
Employee Recognition Award | 2022
NORC at the University of Chicago
Student Poster Award | 2018
American Association for Public Opinion Research
Student Paper Award in Survey Research Methodology | 2011
Midwest Association for Public Opinion Research
Project Contributions
Publications
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Mode-Sequencing Insights from the General Social Survey
Research Brief | September 20, 2024
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"An Examination of Demographic and Substantive Differences between Early and Late Respondents in a Face-to-face Field Survey"
Working Paper | April 8, 2024
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"A Nonresponse Bias Analysis of the 2021 General Social Survey."
Conference Proceeding | October 13, 2023
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"The Importance of Leveraging a Parent's Influence in an ABS Push-to-Web Survey of Adolescents."
Working Paper | February 1, 2022
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opens in new tab"COVID-19 Rapid Response: How the California Health Interview Survey Adapted During the Global Pandemic."
Journal Article | December 8, 2021
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opens in new tab"CHIS 2019-2020 Redesign: Rationale, Empirical Evaluation, and Trends."
Working Paper | September 1, 2021
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opens in new tab"Innovative Methods to Increase Child Interviews in the California Health Interview Survey."
Research Brief | October 1, 2020
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opens in new tab“A Helluva Read: Profanity in Adolescent Literature."
Journal Article | May 4, 2012