Services
SRO offers a full range of survey and data management services.
Research design
Our qualified staff is well-suited to help in every step of the research process. If you are a student, faculty member, department liasion, or organization, the SRO can help you identify the important research questions you are interested in studying as well as propose methodologies that are best suited to help answer those questions.
Sampling design
The SRO uses a variety of different sampling systems to generate samples.
For the majority of our telephone surveys, we use the Genesys Sampling System to generate random telephone number samples. The system uses a list of all possible telephone numbers in the US to randomly generate telephone numbers. With the Genesys system, we can:
- target populations by selected demographic characteristics
- analyze the neighborhood characteristics of participants
- target geographic areas using census tracts
Sometimes, a different sampling strategy is needed (oversampling of certain demographic groups or geographical areas). We are well-equipped to help strategize with clients on the best sampling methodology to increase response rates.
Questionnaire development
Identifying what interview questions best get at the driving research questions is one of the most important aspects of survey research. We will work with clients on developing the best instruments for their particular project.
Quality control
As a research institution, the SRO strives to provide the best product for our clients. To do this several procedures have been put in place to review the quality of the data gathered.
Pretesting– All surveys are pretested to remove wording errors and programming problems. During the pretest, the validity of the questions is verified. If respondents do not understand the questions, alterations can be made for the full survey. While all surveys are pretested, particularly large or complex surveys may be tested for an extended period of time.
Supervisor Observation- Every thirty minutes a supervisor listens to a random surveyor conduct a survey using the Supervisor Observer feature. This allows the supervisor to listen to a phone conversation without being heard. The supervisor records the time of survey as well as comments that are shared with the surveyor as well as the lab manager.
Midpoint Data Check– For a typical survey, the frequencies to all responses are checked approximately half way through its completion. For larger or more complex surveys, this can happen more frequently. This process gives the principal investigator a window into the data collection. Adjustments in the sampling procedure or survey instrument can then be made as appropriate.
Survey Verification– Small sub samples of surveys are recalled to verify the data collection process. The supervisors will check to determine if the survey was given to the correct person and if the surveyor was professional and courteous.
Computer Assisted Telephone Interviews
The SRO features a 17-station computer assisted telephone interviewing system (CATI). This advanced computer system and supporting software is extremely efficient and reduces the cost and time of conducting surveys. The CATI system combines interviews with data entry. By eliminating the data entry step, a potential source of error is eliminated. In addition, the CATI software can be programmed as to only allow a particular range of answers, reducing keystroke error.
Mail surveys
The SRO offers a variety of different mail survey services. Superb respondent tracking tools allow us to keep track of the status of each respondent case throughout all points in the research project. This allows us to give clients up-to-date project status reports as frequently as they need. We can conduct all phases of the mail survey process, from questionnaire design, and formatting, to mail out and log in, data entry, data delivery, and report writing.
Personal interviewing and focus groups
For some projects, in-depth personal interviews or focus groups are the best methodologies. Our office is capable of hosting the interviews, conducting the interviews, and transcribing the data into a presentable format. The SRO director has extensive expertise in conducting both in-depth interviews and focus groups.
Web surveys
For some clients, the most practical option is a web-based survey. The SRO will help create the survey, host it on our web manager, and present the results to the client. Our survey manager provides the highest level of confidentiality in responses and is capable of hosting thousands of responses at one time.
Mixed mode surveys
Often the best method is a combination of techniques. The SRO has extensive experience in mixed-mode surveys that combine multiple methods (e.g. mail, email and telephone). We will work with clients to develop the best methodology for their needs.
Data entry and management
After the completion of your survey, we will enter the data in a readable format. All of our data entry is checked multiple times for validity of responses.
Statistical analysis and secondary data analysis
Need help analyzing your data? Already have the data and do not know how to use it? The SRO Director and staff are well-qualified to not only analyze your data but to explain the analysis in a way that is understandable to even those with minimal understanding of statistics.
Reporting and presentation of your results
We are happy to provide a variety of reporting services from topline data analysis, to executive summaries, to cross tabulations and chi-squares, to regression analysis. Our staff will also present the results to your organization or department.