The Survey Research Center (SRC) is a valuable resource for state and local agencies, non-profit organizations, faculty and other clients. The SRC provides high-quality survey research and analysis services at reasonable costs.

Services range from consultation on a single aspect of the survey process to full implementation of a survey from design to final report. Typical procedures include:

• Survey Design and Planning
  Staff work with clients to help identify topic areas for information gathering, clarify survey objectives and determine effective methods of designing the most productive and cost-effective method of collecting data.
• Instrument Design
  The SRC staff designs  web-based, mail, and telephone survey questionnaires. Survey invitations, and cover letters can be designed that are customized to fit the survey's objectives and help improve accuracy and response rate.
• Data Collection Methods
  The SRC helps clients determine the data collection method most effective for each survey. Options include web-based surveys, telephone interviews, mail questionnaires, face-to-face interviews, focus groups, and others.
• Collecting and Coding Data
  Once data have been entered into computer files, SRC staff checks, cleans, and labels the data prior to analysis. The SRC uses scanning software for most mailing projects and on-line survey software for web-based surveys. Open-ended comments are analyzed using qualitative data software. 
• Managing Data
  Using Excel and SPSS analytical software, staff extract the data and convert the results into percentages based on the number of completed surveys, or the number of people who completed an applicable survey question. 
• Data Summary/Report and Interpretation
  As needed, the SRC can provide the client with a raw data file, in Excel, or a basic statistical "summary" report showing response percentages; or an even more elaborate "full" narrative report with cross-tabulations, graphs, and discussion of findings. All comments from open-ended questions will also be reported. Depending on the distance to travel, there would be no fee for a formal presentation to the client/group requesting the survey.
  

Cost Estimates:  Clients may request preliminary estimates of the cost of services to be provided by SRC staff. Informal, verbal estimates (frequently requested in preliminary telephone contacts) are subject to revision when more information is known about the project. After the client provides a full specification of the tasks to be done, a cost proposal is prepared, stating the conditions and time schedule required to complete the work.

SRC rates are competitive with other academic and commercial survey organizations. Project costs can vary widely depending on factors such as the scope of services required, the survey methodology used, the number of respondents, the nature of the sample, etc. We invite you to contact us to discuss the scope of your project and factors that govern cost.