In this report, we take a detailed look at the methods used to determine the Forbes list of “America’s Best Employers for Diversity.” Based on the principles of survey and social research, we examine the data used, how it was collected, and analyzed to determine the DEI rankings. We look specifically at Maximus as a case study for our assessment. As we will document, this research is deeply flawed on a number of dimensions, and in no way can it be considered a valid assessment of firms' actual efforts at diversity, equity, and inclusion, nor their outcomes.