Center
Services
What
makes SESRC the largest university-based survey research center
in the Pacific Northwest?
- A
mission to be innovative.
- Services
that are tailored to the needs of the client.
- A
large interdisciplinary and professionally
trained staff.
- Reliance
on generally accepted research procedures.
- State-of-the-art
computer programs for data storage, management, and analysis.
- In
business for over 30 years.
The major functions
of a typical survey procedure are listed and bolded below.
The SESRC can tailor this procedure to the
needs of the client, using a selection or all of these functions.
I.
Total Research Design
Professionally
trained staff are available to
work with individuals and groups to determine their research
needs and to provide expert advice on the application of specific
research methodologies.
II.
Design of Samples and Sampling
The
SESRC assists researchers in designing samples that best represent
the populations being studied. Once a sampling design is created,
the SESRC can select the sample from target populations or
obtain it from professional sampling firms.
III.
Design of Research Instruments
From
the construction of mail questionnaires to the development
of face-to-face and telephone interviewing scripts, coding
forms, cover letters, and follow-up letters and post-cards,
the SESRC is available to design the instruments needed for
any type of data collection.
IV.
Data Collection
V.
Data Coding
The
SESRC provides assistance in creating data dictionaries and
data codebooks. The SESRC will code information into a numeric
or text format. Whether one has a series of short or lengthy
responses., the SESRC can help categorize these responses
and assign numeric codes that can be summarized using statistical
procedures. VI.
Data and
Text Entry and Verification VII.
Data Management SESRC’s
statistical experts can help in the analysis and management
of your sample and data. Power Analysis can be employed to
help determine sample size needs based on a researcher’s
desired effect size. Weighting for stratified samples is also
easily provided.
Response
bias can also be analyzed which is especially useful with
mixed mode surveys. For example responses between the same
web and telephone survey can be analyzed to determine if bias
exists between the two modes.
Our statisticians
can also help with most standard forms of statistical analysis
such as t-tests, Chi-Square tests, Analysis of Variance, Multiple
Regression and Structural Equation Modeling. We can also provide
training seminars in areas such as the use of AMOS software
for Structural Modeling, as well as standard statistical analysis
with SAS and SPSS.
VIII.
Analysis of Error
Controlling
non-random error is one of the main tasks of any research
center. At the SESRC, significant efforts are made to reduce
the occurrence of non-random error. These efforts include:
- Conducting
pretests of telephone and mail questionnaires;
- Training
on proper telephone interviewing techniques and project
specific training sessions;
- The
use of multiple follow-ups for mail and telephone follow-ups
to increase response rates; and other
error-reduction methods.
IX.
Report Writing and Publication
- Data
Reports
- Technical
Reports
- Research
Report
X.
Presentation of Results
The
SESRC presents the findings of research to sponsors and their
clientele. The format of these presentations depend upon each
sponsor's needs. Presentations can be enhanced with various
multi-media formats. The SESRC employs professionals
who are trained in explaining formal research to the general
public.
XI.
Archive Maintenance of Records, Data, and Reports
The
maintenance of records and procedural documentation is required
of any scientific activity. The SESRC archives copies of original
materials and reports. Additionally, the SESRC stores all
data files and statistical programs on the SESRC server as
well as keeping copies of these files on CD-rom in -its report
library.
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