If you\u2019ve ever listened to Audible audiobooks to improve the way you live and work, you just may have Sara Johnston \u201920 MA to thank. Johnston \u2013 among the first degree recipients in The Graduate School\u2019s Social Research and Analysis program \u2013 has focused her research on finding the self-help content consumers are most interested in.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s the type of market research attracting graduate students like Johnston to Montclair State and its Social Research and Analysis program. For Johnston, who first earned the University’s graduate certificate in Data Collection and Management, the master\u2019s program was a natural next step when it was introduced in fall 2019.<\/p>\n
Johnston is customer insight senior manager at Audible, a position that includes research and consumer surveys to help the Newark, New Jersey-based seller and producer of audiobooks better understand its audience and trends. Her expertise is in the popular self-help genre that covers everything from career development and leadership to meditation and quick lists, including the top 10 things you can do to reduce stress.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving the course background means I bring more to the table,\u201d says Johnston, who earned a promotion at Audible while completing her graduate degree. \u201cIt builds confidence and elevates me at work.\u201d<\/p>\n
Christopher Donoghue, associate professor of Sociology and coordinator of the\u00a0MA in Social Research and Analysis<\/a>\u00a0program, says, \u201cThere’s so much interest in data right now, and it’s not just analytics. It’s gathering data, using surveys, conducting interviews and focus groups. It\u2019s become popular with most companies that want to make evidence-based decisions.\u201d<\/p>\n The graduate program consists of\u00a0students with career interests<\/a>\u00a0in social policy research, data analytics, higher education, government and market research. Among the first 11 degree recipients, for instance, Tamara Ogle is conducting qualitative research on the goals of second generation immigrants. Adriana Cruz has been working on learning the social media interests of prospective graduate students.<\/p>\n \u201cThe future of decision-making in business, government and social policy is from evidence,\u201d Donoghue says. \u201cWe believe that using quantitative and qualitative strategies to gather data that informs the best decisions is really important for the success of companies and organizations.\u201d<\/p>\n Learn more about the \u00a0MA in Social Research and Analysis<\/a>\u00a0and all of The Graduate School\u2019s degree programs at the virtual spring open house on\u00a0February 21<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0the School\u2019s website<\/a>.<\/p>\n Story by Staff Writer\u00a0Marilyn Joyce Lehren<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n You May Also Like:<\/p>\n Online Graduate Programs Among Best in the Country<\/a><\/p>\n