We use focus groups and research interviews to obtain nuanced, on-the-ground perspectives


Mixed-methods Analysis 1

Examples include…

Learning from service members about how a proposed change to military compensation would impact them (Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation).

Understanding from service members the barriers to greater minority participation in elite special operations.

Engaging with senior officials, service members, and DoD civilians in a comprehensive study of prohibited extremist activity across the Total Force.

We draw on a variety of DoD survey data and resources to field specific questions or entire custom surveys


Mixed-methods Analysis 2

Example: For a series of studies on Foreign Area Officers (FAOs), IDA conducted a Quick Compass Survey with the Defense Manpower Data Center covering a sample population of 25,000 FAOs and their supervisors in order to discern how FAOs felt about their career management and progression, and to understand which FAO skill sets supervisors felt were most valuable.

We provide in-depth organizational assessments of roles, connections, and return on investment


Mixed-methods Analysis 3

Examples include organizational assessments of the…

  • National Guard Bureau
  • Defense Personal Property Program
  • Defense Suicide Prevention Office
  • Defense Logistics Agency
  • Missile Defense Agency
  • Military Service Academies
  • U.S. Army Recruiting Command
  • U.S. Transportation Command
  • Air National Guard
  • Joint Staff