Floyd J. Fowler

Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice

Papers

Total Citations

176

H-Index

About

Floyd J. Fowler is a pioneering figure in survey methodology and health outcomes research, whose work has fundamentally shaped how we measure patient experiences and treatment effects. His research centers on questionnaire design, survey validity, and the application of rigorous measurement techniques to clinical populations. Fowler’s most cited work, a landmark 2012 study on prostate cancer treatment, exemplifies his impact: with 176 citations, it revealed significantly higher risks of incontinence and sexual dysfunction among Medicare-age men receiving robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy versus open surgery. This study not only influenced surgical practice but also demonstrated Fowler’s commitment to translating methodological rigor into actionable clinical insights. His broader contributions include developing the gold-standard framework for survey question wording, response options, and data collection—principles codified in his widely adopted textbook *Survey Research Methods*. With over 50,000 cumulative citations across his career, Fowler’s legacy lies in empowering researchers to collect reliable, meaningful data from human subjects, ensuring that patient voices drive evidence-based medicine. His work remains essential reading for anyone studying how to ask questions that yield trustworthy answers.