The Method to Our Madness

The Method to Our Madness is a podcast that explores the art, ethics, and impact of research and evaluation. Hosted by award-winning evaluator and musician Dr. Stacey Merola, and William Pate, who together have close to 50 years of evaluation experience, each episode dives into the stories behind the data. Join our two hosts as they discuss their trials and tribulations as program evaluators: how they engage stakeholders, ask questions, measure change, and translate findings into action. From equity-driven frameworks to creative data storytelling, this show brings together thought leaders, community advocates, and methodologists to rethink what meaningful evidence looks like. Whether you're a seasoned researcher or just curious about how evaluation shapes the world, tune in for insights that are rigorous, resonant, and real.

The Method to Our Madness is a science podcast hosted by staceymerola, with 21 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

staceymerola hosts The Method to Our Madness, a science show with 21 episodes published.

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  Episode #22

  Librarian in the Loop: What You Can Gain from Having a Research Librarian on Your Team

  Oct 1, 202644 min

  What can a research librarian find that a search engine, or an AI tool, can't? In this episode, Stacey Merola and William Pate talk with Matthew Von Hendy , a research librarian and the founder of Green Heron Information Services, about where library science and evaluation meet. Matthew worked at science and technology libraries in the DC area, including EPA, NASA and the National Academies, before he started consulting for evaluators in 2012. He tells stories from that work, like tracking down an obscure federal survey question about limited-English speakers and finding hard-to-locate survey items on fish consumption. He also explains what makes a literature search work: the reference interview, structured protocols like PRISMA, and the persistence it takes to find gray literature such as dissertations, government reports and patents. The conversation also covers: Why people have predicted that technology would replace librarians for decades, from microfiche to the web to AI, and why it hasn't happened What AI can and can't do for research, including the risk of made-up citations and the trouble that's causing in courtrooms The real cost of doing research yourself versus hiring an expert, including the person who spent 35 hours avoiding a $35 article How a single networking dinner led to lasting collaborations among independent evaluators How a firefighting-foam research project turned into a popular PFAS newsletter and made Matthew "the PFAS dude" This episode is for evaluators, researchers and anyone who has ever wondered whether their search missed something important. Learn more about Matthew's work at www.greenheroninformation.com . A summary of the episode can be found here . The podcast music was written and produced by Stacey Merola. The podcast artwork was created by Zoe Targino.

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  Episode #21

  AI in Qualitative Research: Promise, Pitfalls, and the Human Element

  Sep 16, 202643 min

  Can AI really handle coding qualitative data, or is it just a shortcut that costs you in the end? In this episode, Stacey and Bill sit down with Dr. Asher Beckwitt, a researcher with 26 years of experience across 5,000 qualitative and mixed-methods studies, to unpack where AI genuinely helps with qualitative data analysis, and where it falls short. Asher walks through choosing compliant, privacy-safe AI tools, why human verification of AI outputs is non-negotiable, and how to document AI use for transparency and IRB compliance (including the often-overlooked step of fully deleting data from AI systems). They also break down the differences between grounded theory, thematic analysis, and phenomenology, and where AI fits (or doesn't) in each. A must-listen for researchers weighing AI tools against methodological rigor in their qualitative research projects. This episode also touches a fish consumption study Asher led for a tribal nation using community-based participatory research methods. This was a separate, non-AI project worth a listen on its own. Dr. Asher Beckwitt can be reached at asherbeckwitt@gmail.com or www.asherconsult.com . A summary of this episode can be found here . The podcast music was written and produced by Stacey Merola. The podcast artwork was created by Zoe Targino.

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  Episode #19

  Actionable Evaluation: From Health Data to Policy Recommendations

  Aug 19, 202650 min

  Focusing on policy recommendations as part of the evaluation is critical because health data without policy recommendations grounded in data creates a dangerous blind spot for policymakers, often leading to well-intentioned regulations that fail on the ground. While quantitative metrics can pinpoint a drop in Medicaid enrollment, for example, they cannot capture the confusing administrative hurdles, conflicting agency rules, or frontline operational friction causing those trends. By integrating targeted focus groups and interviews into the data findings, evaluators can diagnose the actual root causes of systemic failures which can then provide opportunities for strong policy recommendations and policy frameworks. In this episode, we're joined by Nalini Pande, Managing Director at Sappho Health Strategies , to talk about the unique challenges of evaluating healthcare programs and translating results into policy. Drawing on her deep background in Medicaid, Medicare, and ACA policy, Nalini makes the case for weaving policy considerations into an evaluation from day one, rather than adding them on at the end. A summary of this episode can be found here . The music for this podcast was written and produced by Stacey Merola. The artwork was created by Zoe Targino.

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  Episode #18

  Summer Vibes: Mixed Methods, Moose, and Making Deals

  Aug 5, 202639 min

  What do mixed methods interrupted time series designs, business development, and moose have in common? More than you might think. In this episode of The Method to Our Madness, we explore the power of mixed methods interrupted time series designs and how they help researchers and evaluators understand change over time. We also share insights from the world of business development, including the challenges and opportunities of building partnerships, pursuing new work, and growing a business. Along the way, we take an unexpected detour into the world of moose, because sometimes the most memorable conversations happen when data, strategy, and wildlife collide. Whether you're interested in research methods, professional growth, or simply enjoy hearing smart people wander off on a tangent, this episode offers practical insights, candid reflections, and a few moose stories you didn't know you needed. Podcast music written and produced by Stacey Merola. Podcast artwork was created by Zoe Targino.

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  Episode #17

  Knowledge Maps: Seeing the Whole Picture

  Jul 22, 202626 min

  What if your logic model is too simple to capture how your program actually works? Hosts Dr. Stacey Merola, and Bill Pate sit down with Dr. Bernadette Wright to explore knowledge mapping. A knowledge map is a visual approach that uses circles and arrows to show the interconnected web of causes and effects behind real-world outcomes, instead of forcing everything into a rigid input-output framework. Dr. Wright walks through how knowledge maps are built (often with 20-25+ interconnected concepts), why multiple reviewers matter, and how the process helps teams surface feedback loops, catch oversimplified solutions, and get aligned on what's actually driving results. The conversation also covers popular mapping tools, how the approach compares to traditional logic models, and where generative AI might fit into the future of concept mapping. A must-listen for evaluators, researchers, and program leaders who want a clearer picture of complexity. An example of a knowledge map can be found here. Source: Strategic Knowledge Mapping: The Co-Creation of Useful Knowledge A summary of the episode can be found here . The podcast music was written and produced by Stacey Merola. The podcast artwork was created by Zoe Targino.

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