RESEARCH EXPERTISE

Our Research and Evaluation Expertise

Value-added research and evaluation services that are objective and comprehensive:
• Initial No-Fee Consultation
Through this preliminary meeting, we’ll ask you thorough questions and listen as you share your thoughts, ideas and challenges upon which we will base the research plan.
• Custom Research Design
Based on your input, expert researchers design the research plan by organizing the qualitative and quantitative methodologies for the most effective and objective data collection and analysis.
• Environmental Scan
Researchers explore secondary data resources and glean information to provide a large-scope perspective. Researchers analyze and clearly summarize this information for your organization.
• Focus Groups
Highly trained consultants pose prepared questions that allow participants to openly share their perceptions. Researchers clearly summarize this qualitative data for your review and base subsequent research steps on the findings.
• Surveys: Questionnaire Development
Researchers generate optimal questions with appropriate response scales, providing objective information to quantify key findings for informed decision-making.
• Surveys: Implementation
To survey your key constituents and gain critical information, researchers plan the most appropriate survey method -- mail, telephone, intercept or Web-based surveys. In most cases, the selected sample allows you to generalize the data to the population at a high confidence level and with minimized sampling error.
• Data Management
To ensure that the data for your project is of the highest quality, researchers utilize quality control procedures and conduct tests to ensure accuracy and consistency.
• Data Analysis
Researchers utilize sophisticated computer software to analyze the data, ensuring that you will receive important and necessary information through detailed descriptive statistics and illustrating significant correlations among various subgroups.
• Professional, Comprehensive and Easy-to-Read Reports
Researchers present the written report in straightforward terms and with supporting graphs, charts and maps, providing you with easily understood findings and recommendations upon which you can make informed decisions.
• Presentation of Findings
For the clearest understanding of the key findings and recommendations of your research study, the professionals involved throughout the project develop a PowerPoint presentation and present it to your organization’s key stakeholders.

Your organization receives these benefits from Kent State Stark’s research and evaluation services:
• Objective Perspective
The research professionals at Kent State Stark provide an objective view of your organization’s situation, giving you fresh insight to support your next steps.
• Familiarity
Because we are conveniently located in your region, our professionals are knowledgeable about the challenges facing your organization, saving you the valuable time it may take an outside agency to research the regional culture, pertinent organizations and key information.
• Collaboration
We collaborate with your organization, providing the scientific expertise to the research and evaluation process, while you provide the knowledge of your organization’s situation, assisting you in determining the best decisions based upon your strategic objectives.
• Primary Point of Contact
Our trained project managers guide your project, ensuring that the research is moving forward and completed on time. Your direct contact with the project manager allows you to communicate with researchers throughout each phase of the research study, keeping you involved from plan to presentation.
• Fiscal Responsibility
To assure that the research is completed within your budget constraints and at a competitive rate, professionals generate an efficient project plan that clearly defines the scope of the research.
• Customer Satisfaction
You relax knowing that your project is progressing without having to manage the project, collect and analyze the data or write the reports.
We are committed to developing a value-added, long-term partnership with you. Our approach aligns with the strategic objectives of your organization. We have the knowledge, experience and resources you need to create and implement a successful research plan that enhances the quality of your organization.