Services

Research Services

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STUDY DESIGN AND COST PROPOSALS

UWSC provides extensive and expert consultation about study and survey design as we collaborate in developing customized cost proposals for investigators. Discussions include sampling frame, survey mode, sample size, incentive structure, locating and contacting strategies, achieving high response rates.

QUESTIONNAIRE DEVELOPMENT, DESIGN, EVALUATION, AND REVIEW

UWSC staff are skilled in designing and reviewing survey questions to ensure that they incorporate best practices to yield the highest quality data. We conduct reviews of questionnaires as part of a larger data collection project, and we also offer questionnaire review services for projects in which the UWSC is not collecting the data. In addition, we provide questionnaire layout services for paper and web-based surveys.

SPANISH LANGUAGE INSTRUMENT DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION

UWSC maintains a professional staff with the ability to translate, program, and implement Spanish-language survey instruments, as well as supporting study materials such as advance letters and brochures.  UWSC conducts Spanish-language data collection in all modes, including web, mail, telephone, and face-to-face.

BIOMARKERS AND PHYSICAL MEASUREMENTS

UWSC has experience directly collecting various biological samples and physical measurements, including urine, hair samples, blood pressure, salivary DNA, stool samples, home water samples, gait speed, chair rise, grip strength, lung capacity, vision tests, weight, height, and photographs of respondents.

RESPONDENT TRACKING AND LOCATING

UWSC obtains and updates telephone numbers, email addresses, and mailing addresses of sample members using state-of-the-art locating tools, including nation-wide credit bureau databases, fee-for-service locater websites, professional web-based information resources, and other sources. We achieve high response rates with challenging populations and in longitudinal studies.

DATA ENTRY AND CODING

Data entry can be provided in conjunction with a mail survey or as a stand-alone project.  Our staff is capable of handling thousands of entries per week.  We offer single-pass or double-pass entry.  Mail surveys are scrupulously logged and data entered in a project database by trained data entry operators.  Rigorous quality control is performed at each step of the process.

UWSC’s trained coders work in specially designed software to code open-ended survey responses, occupation and industry, interviewer-respondent interaction, and historical census data on microfilm.  Coders work in pairs, double-coding each other’s work, with any discrepancies resolved by a supervisor.

Survey Data Collection

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WEB SURVEYS

Qualtrics and our own software offer customized questionnaires.  Survey invitations can be sent by letter or email (including reminder emails), and we offer web in mixed-mode surveys with mail follow-up. Electronic files and data are stored on secure servers. Survey data are delivered in a labeled and formatted data set.

MAIL SURVEYS

All phases of mail surveys (questionnaire design and formatting; mail and logging; data entry and delivery). Design materials and sequence of incentives and contacts (e.g., advance letter, questionnaire, and reminder) for high response rate. Can use researcher’s sample or purchased address-based sample. Tracking and quality control at all stages.

TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS (CATI)

The UWSC call center conducts computer-assisted telephone interviews (CATI). We program simple or highly complex instruments. Interviewers are highly trained and monitored. Digital recording available. Researcher’s sample or purchased sample (landline and cell) can be used. Data available in various formats and can include tools for making data web-accessible.

FACE-TO-FACE INTERVIEWS (CAPI)

UWSC conducts computer-assisted personal interviews (CAPI). We program simple or highly complex instruments. Interviewers are highly trained and monitored. Digital recording available. Researcher’s sample or purchased sample (address-based) can be used. Data available in various formats and can include tools for making data web-accessible.

MIXED-MODE SURVEYS

Surveys commonly combine interviewer-assisted modes (face-to-face and phone) with contacts by mail and self-administered instruments (paper and web). We customize survey designs to consider information in the sampling frame and combine modes for cost-effectiveness and high response rates.

SURVEY APPS FOR PHONE AND TABLETS

UWSC builds both Android and iOS data collection apps. These apps can be installed on  both UWSC-owned and respondent-owned devices. Data are stored locally on the device if no internet connection is available and synchronized back to secure UWSC servers when an internet connection exists.

CASI AND AUDIO-CASI

UWSC has over 15 years of experience with programming computer-assisted self-interviews (CASI) and audio-computer assisted self-interviews (ACASI).  These instruments are primarily used as modules within a face-to-face interview but can be developed as a stand-alone instrument.

DIGITAL RECORDING OF INTERVIEWS

All of UWSC’s telephone interviewing stations (for CATI) and our encrypted laptops (for CAPI) are equipped to digitally record interviews.  This powerful and flexible technology integrates seamlessly with our interview software and allows us to record interviews in their entirety, or if preferable, only certain sections of an interview.

Qualitative Research Services

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FOCUS GROUPS

Focus groups are a highly versatile qualitative method that use group dynamics to explore, interpret, and lend depth and context to a research topic. Focus groups are conducted as a standalone method or as part of a quantitative project such as exploratory work to develop a survey. UWSC has experienced staff to help with all aspects of a focus group project, including study design, recruitment of participants, development of a question guide, moderating, audio or video recording, transcription, and analysis and report writing. UWSC arranges online groups or suitable venues for in-person groups.

IN-DEPTH INTERVIEWS

In-depth interviewing pairs a study participant with a highly trained qualitative interviewer for intensive exploration of a topic. The UWSC conducts interviews in person or by videoconference or phone and can assist with any aspect of your project, including advising on target population and recruitment, question development and review, arrangement of participation incentives and interview venues, audio recording, transcription, and qualitative analysis and report writing.

COGNITIVE INTERVIEWING

Cognitive interviewing is a widely used qualitative method for identifying and correcting problems with draft survey questions. By testing whether respondents interpret survey questions in the way intended by the researchers who draft them, cognitive interviewing can help to increase the reliability and validity of survey questions prior to fielding. UWSC has highly skilled cognitive interviewers and analysts and can assist with all aspects of a cognitive interviewing study.

CODING OF RESPONSES TO OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS

UWSC conducts rigorous coding of responses to open-ended questions. We can use your existing coding schemes or help you to develop a new coding scheme that suits your analytical objectives. UWSC offers double independent coding and intercoder reliability testing.

MIXED-METHODS RESEARCH

Mixed-methods research combines quantitative and qualitative methods and concepts in an integrated way into a single study. A national leader in survey instrument design, UWSC can assist with both the quantitative and qualitative components of an integrated MMR study.

QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS AND REPORTING

UWSC can analyze and report on your qualitative research and can tailor its approach to your objectives and budget. UWSC has experience with a wide range of qualitative analysis and reporting approaches. UWSC can assess data saturation during and after the fielding of qualitative research events. UWSC offers single and double independent qualitative coding and works with you to develop a coding scheme and report format.

DELPHI METHOD

The Delphi Method is an iterative process, conducted over multiple rounds, to facilitate consensus or dissensus on topics that are not well understood. Delphi studies recruit panelists based on their knowledge of or experience with a specific topic. Delphi designs vary but an essential feature of the method is to share how panelists responded and why they responded as they did. This allows panelists to consider others’ responses, which may cause panelists to change responses from round to round. This process makes it possible to achieve consensus or dissensus. UWSC can conduct a Delphi study for you or consult with you on design and implementation.

TRAINING AND CONSULTATION ON QUALITATIVE METHODS AND ANALYSIS

UWSC has staff with expertise to consult with you as you design and carry out a qualitative research study. UWSC can train you how to

  • Moderate focus groups or conduct qualitative or cognitive interviews
  • Analyze cognitive interviews to improve draft survey questions
  • Conduct rigorous coding of transcripts of qualitative research events
  • Create and maintain a codebook
  • Assess data saturation – the point at which no new themes are emerging from your qualitative research events

RECRUITMENT OF PARTICIPANTS

Recruiting participants for qualitative research can be time consuming, challenging, and expensive. Random recruitment methods add complexity, and using social media brings the risk of bots and fraudulent participants. At UWSC, we are committed to providing innovative and effective recruitment strategies to help our clients obtain high-quality data for qualitative research.

  • You can access smarter, faster recruitment for your qualitative research with WisconSays – our representative panel of Wisconsinites 18 years or older
  • We offer broad geographic coverage to support recruitment needs. WisconSays is rich in demographic and attitudinal data, allowing you to streamline your eligibility questions and target the right participants
  • Recruitment screening questions can be fielded quickly and cost-effectively, aligning with your project timelines
  • Most important of all, our panel members have an ongoing relationship with UWSC, which brings a level of trust that traditional recruitment methods, such as flyers and social media ads, cannot match