Expertise & References

We strongly recommend that you look carefully into the credentials and references of the person/people who might be conducting research, training, and/or facilitation services for you. Kristi Jackson, the lead consultant at QuERI, has extensive experience in qualitative research/training as well as group facilitation. She is happy to further discuss her credentials or to help you connect with an individual who can meet your needs.

Qualitative research and training
Group facilitation

Qualitative research and training
Kristi's professional expertise in qualitative research and training is demonstrated in several ways. She has extensive experience with N3, N4, N5, N6, NVivo, and NVivo Merge as both researcher and trainer/consultant. Anonymous survey results from group trainings describe her capabilities and provide consistently high marks. In addition to the anonymous survey results, references provided by current and former clients confirm her ability to meet a variety of client needs. While the information below provides a general overview of her experience in qualitative research and training, a full vitae can be provided upon request.

Extensive research in the social sciences: While specializing in coaching others through their qualitative research projects, Kristi also spends considerable time analyzing her own research projects. While taking graduate courses in sociology, Kristi served as a research assistant at the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, and coordinated a two-year study on five, diverse neighborhood communities. Since that time, she served as a senior researcher and Vice President of OMNI Research and Training, Inc., and served as Principal Investigator of research in areas such as early childhood education, reading, violence prevention, adults with developmental disabilities, suicide prevention, strengthening kinship families, etc. QuERI is an applied social science research company, as well as a training and consulting center. This means that Kristi's skills in coaching and training are complemented by her practical, hands-on research experience.

Close ties with software developers: Kristi communicates frequently with the owners and staff of Qualitative Solutions in Research (QSR), the creators of N6 and NVivo. This contact provides QuERI with the most up-to-date information on the software, including bugs, upgrades, and special offers. Kristi is also one of a few of researchers in North America who was asked by QSR to beta-test N5 and NVivo prior to their release, and she attended an exclusive NVivo training in London while the software was still being developed.

Creator of the on-line tutorial: One of the free NVivo tutorials was created by Kristi, and it can be obtained through QSR International (or upon purchase of the software). The tutorial is based on actual data from The Colorado Trust's Violence Prevention Initiative, and is divided into two stages so the learner can engage in the early coding activities as well as the more complex searching and analysis activities. This is the only tutorial created in the USA for the NVivo package. For more information about the software, QSR, and the free tutorial, click here.

Client satisfaction: Since 1996, Kristi has collected anonymous surveys at each software training. On a four-point scale, Kristi scored an average of 3.75 or higher in all six of the training categories (use of examples, speaking with clarity, adapting to the group, etc.). Trainee written comments also reflect an exceptionally high level of satisfaction:

"Wonderful overview - some things that I hadn't hoped for but appreciated were conceptual clarity, negotiation of 'kinks', and comparisons with other options." (Director of Training and Education)

"Personable and interesting - she also speaks the language of qualitative research and felt like 'one of us." (Graduate Professor)

"Kristi is able to translate computerese into plain language. She made the process fun." (Senior Researcher)

Qualitative research and training references: In addition to contacting the individuals identified below, you may contact Lyn Richards, one of the software developers, who has worked with Kristi since 1996. In this capacity, Kristi beta-tested several versions of the software and helped to develop one of the tutorials that accompanies NVivo. Lyn may be reached in Australia at her email: lyn@qsr.com.au.

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Group facilitation
Kristi has been facilitating group processes for over ten years, in a variety of roles. These include serving as an advisor of college students clubs/organizations, facilitating teambuilding activities as director of human resources in a private business, and volunteering as Board Chair of a nonprofit agency. In these roles, she was/is primarily responsible for facilitating meetings, coordinating teambuilding activities, negotiating group norms, and collaboratively establishing realistic goals and objectives for participants. While the information below provides a general overview of her experience in group facilitation, a full vitae can be provided upon request.

Collaborative work with student groups: After receiving her Masters in Education, Kristi spent five years working with students at colleges and Universities in Vermont, New York and Colorado. This includes serving as an advisor to student clubs, and acting as Assistant Director of Student Activities. These roles required collaborative, creative, and fun interactions with college students in a manner that helped them achomplish their objectives.

Professional in Human Resources (PHR): While obtaining her certification as a Professional in Human Resources, Kristi managed the human resource division of a private research company. This included facilitation of company-wide retreats/meetings, coordinating teambuilding activities, mediating staff conflicts, and managing team feedback sessions.

Board Chair, Victim-Offender Reconciliation Program: As a volunteer Board Member and Chair of this restorative justice nonprofit, Kristi facilitates strategic planning, and collaboratively creates action plans for the agency with other members of the Board.

Group facilitation references: The following individuals are available to answer questions about Kristi's facilitation style:

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