Applied Social Science Research

KSRC researchers and contracted professionals provide expertise in the design and execution of data collection, analysis, and report writing for applied social science research projects. Our services include all phases of an applied research project, including:

• Development of research design, including surveys, experimental and quasi-experimental designs, field studies, content analysis of documents and records, observational designs, and focus groups.
• Specification of sampling procedure, if necessary, ranging from complex stratified random sampling procedures, systematic sampling, convenience sampling, and snowball sampling.
• Identification or development of research instruments, including structured survey instruments with closed and open-ended questions; focused interview schedules, observational instruments, and rubrics for the analysis of documents and records. This phase of a project includes not only the identification of existing instruments, but also the development and pre-testing of an instrument tailored to a specific research project.
• Collection of data, as specified in the research design, this phase may includes various methods to collect data, such as distribution of survey instruments via mail and/or electronic web surveys, face-to-face interviews, phone interviews, focus groups, observation, and document review.
• Coding and data entry, in preparation for the analysis of the data, as necessary, the data will be coded and entered into a data file using various analysis software for quantitative and/or qualitative data analysis.
• Analysis of data, as required by the type of data, the analysis may include either and/or both quantitative and qualitative data analytic techniques, as well as, univariate and multivariate statistical analysis.
• Writing of reports in a format that is appropriate for the audience, using a variety of communication approaches, which will include narrative and associated charts, graphs, and tables, along with conclusions and recommendations. Executive summaries are also prepared that highlight the research findings.
• Discussion of implications for policy and practice, where the discussion of research findings and their implications for policy, practice, and follow-up actions will be incorporated into the final report as well as in any briefings about research results.

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Program Evaluation and Performance-Based Assessments

As an area of specialty within applied social science research, the principal of KSRC and associated researchers have extensive experience in the evaluation of educational and human service programs, including both process and outcome/impact assessments.

Our approach to the evaluation of a program will be tailored to the needs of the organization and its stakeholders. As such, the KSRC research team may:

• Develop process and/or outcome/impact evaluations.
• Develop and use logic models to understand a program's theory of change.
• Engage in a participatory evaluation process.
• Conduct evaluability assessments.
• Encourage empowerment evaluations.
• Assist in the building of evaluation capacity.
• Provide training and technical assistance for clients who want to learn about evaluation planning and the techniques for assessing performance.

Our experience includes over 30 years working with clients from government agencies, as well as commercial and private for profit and non-profit organizations.

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Building Accountable and Results-Driven Systems

As a direct corollary to the design and implementation of evaluation research, KSRC has developed the expertise to help organizations build accountable, results-driven systems. In this effort, KSRC consults with its client organizations to develop and use standardized, yet flexible, work processes that systematically document program implementation and outcomes, which provides a robust model for demonstrating accountability.

As a result of our consultation and partnership approach, organizations will be able to:

• Understand the concepts and language of outcome-based systems.
• Create a logic model of quality improvement efforts.
• Develop, and/or use existing data collection tools to measure program implementation and outcomes.
• Determine database management needs to document a program's operation.
• Prepare and analyze data to report the progress and successes on a continuous basis.
• Know how to use outcome-based results to make informed decisions about program improvement strategies.

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Process Improvement Design and Implementation--You Get What You Design™

Our process improvement team uses the You Get What You Design™ methodology to assist organizations make improvements in their operations, identify meaningful performance measures, and document their results. In the You Get What You Design™ approach, we provide facilitation and technical assistance to help organizations understand their mission and/or core competencies and to build their capacity to establish sustainable, operational systems.

Our specialists work with organizations to determine the best strategic approach to process improvement and positive outcomes. Following a preliminary review of an organization's targeted processes, the You Get What You Design™ specialists will:

• Work with a core team of organized staff and stakeholders to diagram work flow processes.
• Assist in Identifing opportunities for streamlining processes and eliminate non-valued added activities and waste.
• Work with the team to develop action plans to implement the changes.
• Assist in the implementation of positive change behaviors.
• Help to develop sustainable systems of operation.
• Provide models for tracking performance over time.

The You Get What You Design™ methodology builds an organization’s internal capacity to identify opportunities for improvements that will produce results. Using the You Get What You Design™ methodology, an organization can learn how to unleash latent energy and trapped resources that can better be used to accomplish an organization’s overall mission. Further, through KSRC’s training and technical assistance, which is provided to all levels within an organization, along with key stakeholders, an organization can establish a climate of organizational excellence. This enables an organization to recognize and follow its pathways to continuous quality improvement and success.

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Communications, Training, and Technical Assistance

KSRC has the expertise to provide a variety of services associated with communications, training, and technical assistance, including the following:

• Developing communication products such as newsletters, reports, advertisements, websites, and meeting materials. Our graphic design division works in collaboration with our IT division to develop integrated look of communications and to identify the best modality for dissemination of communications.
• Providing facilitation services for organizations that have working groups, teams, or other types of collaborative efforts, which require a neutral party to assist them in problem solving, decision making, and action planning. The specific services that can be provided include, but may not be limited to: establishing agendas; planning meeting/conference logistics and support; facilitating group processes; leading large and small group meetings and discussions; writing minutes or meeting reports, enabling focused decision-making; and conducting follow-up from meetings.
• Developing custom-designed support products related to the consulting, facilitation, survey, and training services that may include, but not be limited to: policy and procedures manuals; organizational assessment tools; meeting slides and associated materials; conference packets; program reports; evaluation instruments; training/educational workbooks; training manuals; training videotapes and CDs; and on-line training materials.
• Developing and implementing customized training services and one-on-one technical assistance to organizations in the areas of: process improvement, evaluation and accountability; performance measurements; business process reengineering; lean transformations; and quality improvements. Our training and technical assistance services are designed for clients based on needs related to purpose, length, breadth and depth of content, and size of trainee group. KSRC also has the expertise to develop on-line training courses.

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Program Integration and Project Management Services

KSRC has extensive background and expertise in the development, implementation, and operation of programs for government and/or other public and private funding organizations. Services include, but may not be limited to: development of systems including defining purpose, structure, required resources, and associated budgets; implementation of proposed systems including hiring and training of staff, writing of policies and procedures, evaluation of performance; and sustaining and improving operational processes over time.

Our experience in this area ensures that these programs are operated within an organizational philosophy that encourages continuous quality improvement and the linking of research, policy and practice. To that end, our program management services include:

• Providing a program logic model to show how a program produces intended outcomes.
• Monitoring of the program implementation and outcomes on a regular basis.
• Documenting how the program produces intended outcomes and changes the lives of people served.
• Demonstrating success and being accountable for services delivered.
• Responding to requests from funding agencies and other stakeholders.
• Making informed decisions about how to improve a program midstream.
• Allocating resources effectively.
• Marketing the program using a documented history of success.

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Early Care and Education Professional Development and Quality Improvement Systems

As one of the experiences in program administration and management, KSRC has extensive background and expertise in the development, implementation, and operation of statewide early care and education professional development and quality improvement systems. The capacity of KSRC to provide consultation to states in their design, implementation, and/or improvement of their existing systems includes expertise in these areas:

• Development and delivery of professional development opportunities (via multiple training modalities such as workshops, satellite down-links, self-learning modules, on-line courses, and college classroom courses).
• Development, implementation and/or administration of a warehousing and distribution center for educational materials.
• Development and maintenance of an on-line training calendar and on-line access to training resources.
• Development and administration of a training/trainer quality assurance system.
• Development and maintenance of an on-line practitioner, training, and trainer registries.
• Maintenance of a toll-free help-line.
• Implementation of systems to train early care and education practitioners on the environment rating scale instruments ( ECERS-R, ITERS-R, SACERS, and FDCRS -- see. http://www.fpg.unc.edu/~ecers/ )
• Development and administration of a set of procedures to conduct on-site Environment Rating Scale assessments and Program Administration Scale assessments for early care and education facilities.
  (See http://cecl.nl.edu/technical/pasoverview.htm )
• Development and implementation of a technical assistance system to assist early care and education facilities to improve their quality of care.
• Development of evaluation capacity and building accountable systems of operation.

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Substance Abuse and Public Health Clearinghouse Services

As another experience in program administration and management, KSRC has expertise in the development, implementation, and operation of statewide substance abuse and public health clearninghouse services. In that capacity, KSRC has gained the relevant experience to administer and manage this type and similar clearninghouses. Services provided in such clearinghouses include:

• The distribution of educational materials related to the content area.
• A film lending library in the related content area.
• A review process to select new materials/videos for distribution.
• The development of print materials for distribution in the content area.
• The maintenance of a toll-free line for general public and/or other professionals to us as a means to gain information about the content area.
• The referral of callers to appropriate organizations and services.
• The maintenance of a research library and information to respond to questions about the content area.
• The implementation of a public information campaign about the content area.

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