Research Services
As an academic-based research organization, ECPIP offers its services
to government agencies and public policy-related non-profit organizations.
In order to engage ECPIP’s services, the research agenda should
focus on a matter of public policy that has an impact on the lives of
residents. ECPIP offers a reputation for integrity, quality, and
objectivity in all its research services.
Review our Standard Conditions of Engagement.
Custom
Designed Research Projects
The
majority of ECPIP’s contract research is tailored to the particular
needs of the client. This may involve a telephone survey with residents
who live in a particular travel corridor, an in-person survey of New Jersey’s
homeless population, a mail survey or internet survey of residents who
use a particular service, or focus group discussions with representatives
of an agency’s client base.
ECPIP research staff
work with the client to develop all research materials, including questionnaires
and discussion guides. ECPIP can develop new questionnaires, utilize ideas
generated by the client, and develop instruments based on other materials.
ECPIP will also work with the client to determine the most appropriate
sampling framework and selection of research participants. ECPIP provides
data collection services and data analysis and reporting services.
As a unit of Rutgers,
ECPIP is able to offer lower overhead rates than private research firms.
As part of the State University of New Jersey, government agencies find
it relatively easy to engage ECPIP’s services. Contact us for Research
Services.
(back
to top)
Telephone Surveys
The majority of ECPIP’s
research is conducted using telephone interviews. This is generally the
most effective means to obtain a representative sample. Telephone surveys
are used whenever telephone contact information is available for all or
nearly all potential survey participants. This may include statewide or
regional “probability” samples based on random digit dialing
or a “census” based on a clientele list.
(back
to top)
Mail Surveys
Mail surveys can
be used when inadequate telephone information is unavailable to contact
respondents or where the cost of telephone interviewing may be prohibitive.
However, with lower costs comes generally lower response rates. ECPIP seeks
to maximize response through a series of follow-up reminder mailings.
(back
to top)
Internet Surveys
ECPIP has conducted
a number of Internet surveys in the past few years, using the same rigorous
standards as our other research methodologies. Web-based survey instruments
allow for less error and better quality data than mail surveys. This option
is useful when the participant pool is likely to use the Internet.
(back
to top)
In-Person Surveys
For selected projects,
ECPIP may be able to offer in-person interviewing. Projects for which this
option would make sense include intercept interviews with clients at their
point of service and small neighborhood surveys. In-depth personal interviews
are also useful with key informants and community leaders.
(back
to top)
Focus Group Discussions
There are times when
the research question may be at a stage where qualitative research is
a more suitable option. For example, policy makers can identify an important
issue or program, but are unsure how it is viewed by affected citizens.
Focus group research
provides the opportunity to hear the attitudes and perceptions of individuals
in a group setting in order to gauge the intensity of feeling. The research
team can also learn the language people use to communicate information
about the issue. This can assist in crafting messages that are guided
by the target group's actual rhetoric, giving these messages added credibility.
(back
to top)
Standard Conditions of Engagement
In order to engage
ECPIP’s services, the research agenda should focus on a matter of
public policy that will have an impact on the life of the citizenry. ECPIP
will only employ research methods which, in our judgment, meet accepted
standards of practice in the profession. Unless otherwise agreed on
between the client and ECPIP, the following conditions of engagement apply
for contract work:
Confidentiality -- All participants in the study will be assured that any responses or
information they provide will be kept strictly confidential. Under no
circumstances will any information which would allow respondents to be
individually identified be made available to anyone other than authorized
ECPIP personnel without the express consent of the respondent.
Ownership of Data -- All electronic and paper data files will remain
the property of ECPIP. Upon request, the client will be provided with a
copy of the data file with participant identification removed. If a client
wishes to have copies of the instruments, specific arrangements to do
so may be made subject to the terms of confidentiality. Upon
request, ECPIP will return any documents, records, or other information
provided by the client to conduct the study. ECPIP will destroy all materials
and study instruments one year after completion of the study.
Access to Data -- The client may control access to any data collected by ECPIP for a study
for a period not to exceed one year from delivery of the final report.
After that time, ECPIP is free to use the data in its teaching, research,
and public service programs.
Public Representations
of Data -- A client who releases any findings from a survey must also
be willing to release the complete data report upon request. If, in the
judgment of ECPIP, the data collected in a study are publicly misrepresented
by the client or anyone else, ECPIP retains the right to issue a public
corrective. Under no circumstances may any data from an ECPIP study be
used in paid advertising or any paid promotion without written consent.
Principles of
Disclosure -- ECPIP complies with the National Council on Public Polls Principles
of Disclosure regarding release of the details of a study's methodology
and data collection procedures.
(back
to top)
