Research & Evaluation

There is a greater need than ever to ensure that scarce resources from schools, nonprofits, foundations, and government agencies are being used effectively. Today's standard for action includes evidence-based strategies and tangible outcome measures.

When clients need valid, reliable data to guide planning, decision making and change, they turn to our research and evaluation experts who are experienced with a broad range of social science research methods. Whether there's a need for quantitative data to set programmatic benchmarks and monitor progress, or qualitative data to provide social context and the community voice, HRiA's capabilities provide a compelling mix of research techniques that help to inform the program development and implementation process.

A sampling of HRiA's research and evaluation capabilities includes:

• Strategic research planning that utilizes program logic models to develop comprehensive research plans with specific, measurable short-term and long-term outcomes
• Literature review that synthesizes findings from academic databases, organizational reports, and unpublished research in order to identify best practices, opportunities, or strategies for future program development
• Qualitative research methods that utilize focus groups and interviews to identify individuals' and groups' perceptions of needs, assets, and resources in their communities as well as perceptions and attitudes about specific health issues and/or behaviors
• Environmental scans that collect and synthesize information on current programs to gain a portrait of the programmatic environment, preventing duplication of efforts and identifying gaps
• Survey development and administration that includes identification of validated measures in published literature, development and testing survey instruments, and administration by mail, on-line, or via telephone
• Statistical data analysis that evaluates primary and secondary data, including bivariate analyses, such as chi-square and paired T-tests, and multivariate analyses, such as linear and logistic regression modeling
• GIS mapping that overlays existing data onto community maps to reveal the most vulnerable areas or 'hot spots' that would most likely benefit from preventive efforts
• Discussing salient research findings within the community context as well as translating these results to identify next steps for program planning.