👨🏼‍🔬 How Woba ensures scientific validity in your workplace surveys (EN)

Purpose of Woba’s Research-Based Foundation

Woba exists to help HR, HSE, managers, and employees use employee feedback to anticipate and prevent stress, absenteeism, and talent loss.

For this to work, the knowledge you act on must be both reliable and valid. That’s why the entire Woba solution is built on a research-based foundation – both theoretically and methodologically.

We do not reinvent new ways of understanding wellbeing, but instead build on what works and is already documented.

🔬 Woba’s Research-Based Method

1. Two domains – one foundation

Woba’s approach is grounded in two inseparable domains:

Methodological foundation: Quantitative approach with focus on validity and reliability
Theoretical background: Recognized theories and research in work psychology and wellbeing

A strong method is worthless without recognized theory – and vice versa. Both must be deeply anchored to create data-driven knowledge you can trust.

2. Woba is born from research

Woba’s methodology is based on leading research institutions and actors:

The National Research Centre for the Working Environment (NFA)
Karolinska Institutet
WHO and EU-OSHA
OSHwiki & the PRIMA-EF model
IGLO framework: Prevention should happen at the individual, group, management, and organizational level – and be part of the culture

3. Core theories behind Woba

From “classic works” and reports that have defined the entire field of workplace wellbeing and occupational health research, we work, among others, with:

Social Exchange Theory – Homans (1958), Blau (1964)
Equity Theory – Adams (1963)
Job Demands-Resources Model – Bakker & Demerouti (2007)
Burnout Theory – Maslach & Jackson (1981)
Utrecht Work Engagement Scale – Schaufeli et al. (2007)

4. Measurement methods and reliability

We use various measurement levels:

Binary responses (yes/no)
Nominal responses (multiple choice)
Ordinal responses (Likert scale, e.g., 5-point)
11-point scales (for more nuance)
Qualitative comment fields

We most often use the 5-point Likert scale, which is widely recognized in social science research.

The questions are developed in accordance with:

Adcock & Collier (2001): Measurement Validity
Bækgaard et al. (2010): Methods in Political Science

This ensures both high reliability (trustworthiness) and validity (accuracy, absence of measurement error).

💡 Tips for use

Share Woba’s research foundation with your leadership – it builds confidence and trust in the data
Use it as an argument when collaborating with employee representatives and the health and safety organization

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Are all questions in Woba research-based?
→ Yes. Each question is qualified with theoretical, empirical, or institutional background.

Why are both method and theory important?
→ Without theory, you don’t know what you are measuring. Without method, you don’t know if you are measuring it correctly.

How does Woba differ from other survey solutions?
→ Unlike traditional systems that measure wellbeing, Woba helps you prevent dissatisfaction, stress, and absenteeism.

🔗 Relaterede artikler

How to choose the right questionnaire framework
What is the IGLO model?
Data ethics and anonymity in Woba

✅ Checklist before you continue

☐ Do you know which theories Woba’s approach is based on?

☐ Do you understand how Woba ensures validity and reliability?

☐ Have you shared this knowledge with relevant stakeholders?

📅 Last updated: July 30, 2025
📞 Need help? Contact us via support@woba.io or use the live chat in the top right corner.

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