A trusted methodological partner for complex research and statistical challenges
A trusted methodological partner for complex research and statistical challenges
We are delighted to welcome Maiki Ilves, PhD as Partner & Senior Survey Methodologist, strengthening our expertise in statistical design, methodology, innovation and leadership development.
Independent methodology and quality assurance and support for statistical outputs, with a focus on surveys combined with administrative and other external data (web-derived or commercial).
Bright Lynx Research & Consulting helps statistical teams, public bodies, and research groups make their statistical output credible, publishable, and defensible. I bring deep expertise in survey methodology (sampling, weighting, nonresponse and missing data, variance estimation) and in the “human side” of data collection (questionnaire design and evaluation, response process, response burden), with long experience from the work in public opinion, market and official statistics fields, and from the work in international projects.
A rapid, independent review of your current or planned data collection: coverage and selection risks, nonresponse and measurement risks, linkage and concept risks in mixed sources, and the minimum viable fixes.
Deliverables: Health Check memo + one-page management summary + reusable quality checklist.
Typical duration: 5–10 working days.
A defensible strategy for unit/item nonresponse and missingness: diagnostics, monitoring indicators, imputation plan aligned with outputs, and sensitivity checks so assumptions are explicit.
Deliverables: risk assessment + monitoring playbook + imputation & sensitivity plan.
Typical duration: 5–12 working days.
An end-to-end production blueprint with explicit quality gates, acceptance criteria, documentation templates, and governance for recurring outputs (monthly/quarterly indicators, admin-stat pipelines, price statistics).
Deliverables: process map + quality gate checklist set + risk register + templates.
Typical duration: 10–25 working days.
Independent support for research teams, researchers, and students who need help turning complex material into clear, coherent, and defensible academic or applied analytical work: Methodological guidance; Coaching through complex research tasks; Quality assurance of logic, consistency, traceability, and documentation; Critical feedback on choices, gaps, and shortcuts; Capacity building to strengthen independent working skills.
Support provided through: consultation meetings (video, phone, or in person); written comments on drafts or plans; brief follow-up notes with suggested next steps.
Typical duration: as required.
Questionnaire/instrument review (QDET-style), sampling & weighting plans, independent quality assurance for vendor deliverables, and price-index/housing/construction methodology clinics.
Most engagements start with a fixed-price package (above). If ongoing support is useful, we can continue on a light retainer (e.g., monthly quality assurance of releases or milestone reviews).
Boris Lorenc — Chief Methodologist, Founding Partner
Boris Lorenc (PhD in statistics, Stockholm University) is a survey methodologist with a long experience in conducting public opinion and market research studies, with a track record of involvement in production, quality assurance and research in official statistics, and with an international collaboration network (ICES, ENBES, EESW; former co-Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Official Statistics).
Maiki Ilves — Senior Survey Methodologist, Partner
Maiki Ilves (PhD in statistics, Örebro University) is a survey methodologist and senior leader in official statistics, with extensive experience in statistical design, methodological development, and production modernization at Statistics Estonia. Her work spans survey methodology, mathematical statistics, process design, and large-scale development leadership, including five years as Head of Development Department. She combines deep methodological expertise with hands-on understanding of how statistical systems evolve under operational and policy constraints.
Get in touch: info@blresearch.ee | +372 5356 4624
Boris Lorenc, PhD, Founding Partner