Welcome to the virtual home of Tandem Social Research Consulting

Operating since 1997, Tandem specializes in conducting applied social science research for non-profit organizations and government departments in Alberta and across Canada. 

Marianne Sorensen - Principal

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The head of Tandem—Dr. Marianne Sorensen--has earned an industry-wide reputation as a highly skilled researcher who provides clients with objective and reliable results. Marianne is unique in being able to offer a solid academic understanding of the principles of conducting reliable and valid research combined with decades of applied research practice. She is thus able to bridge the often sizeable gap between the rigours of academia and the practicalities of the real world.
"In my experience, the quality of Marianne Sorensen's work has been outstanding in every respect. She has always demonstrated exceptional competence, integrity, adaptability, people skills and professionalism. I cannot think of another contractor I would recommend as highly and as confidently as Dr. Sorensen.”
                          Program Manager, Agriculture Canada 


High Quality Control & Responsiveness 

Since it is often the same person who is conducting the research and who is responsible and accountable, Tandem offers an incomparable degree of direct quality control and responsiveness, perhaps more so than does a larger outfit in which hired employees are charged with conducting the research. The absence of decision-making channels and hierarchies allows Marianne to respond directly to any questions or concerns clients might have and to address project-related issues as they arise, something which they are nearly guaranteed to do.
"I was impressed by her ability to work within the parameters of a committee led project and be responsive to the suggestions and comments of individual committee members."    
     Coordinator, Council of Ministers of Education Canada

Collaborative & Diverse experience

Marianne works in "Tandem" with clients to design and carry out investigative approaches that strategically and efficiently address their most pressing research needs. She has worked collaboratively with all three levels of government and many postsecondary institutions and non-profit organizations and has studied a diversity of populations ranging from academics, to librarians, to the homeless, to healthcare workers, to rural Canadians, to immigrants. 
"Marianne underwent extensive research to fully comprehend our small healthcare niche. Her understanding of our profession and her collaborative approach steered us through a successful project leading to further energized and collaborative initiatives with industry."
CEO, Alberta College of Medical Diagnostic & Therapeutic Technologists
Marianne also works collaboratively with other researchers on large projects. She just completed working with her esteemed colleague, Dr. Kathleen Delong, on a follow-up study of workforce issues in large Canadian university libraries.


Professional & Ethical

Marianne's interest in upholding the values of fairness, dignity, and social responsibility is reflected in her choice of projects and research design decisions. As a professional, she takes great care in meeting the rigours of established research principles and in adhering to the highest ethical research standards.
"Marianne is a dedicated professional."
        Quintessential Research