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Methods
Our
approach to each client:
We
value working in partnership with our clients. To this end,
each project's methods, approach, and results are developed
in collaboration with our clients; thus, our work is tailored
to our clients' specific needs.
 Our
services
Process
Evaluations
Process evaluations allow for comprehensive tracking of a
program's scope and subsequent implementation. Such assessments
provide critical data on the various services that agencies
offer.
Outcome
Evaluations
Outcome evaluations measure the impact or effectiveness of
a program. Research findings from this assessment work offer
organizations and their funders core data on how programs
impact the lives of their clients.
Needs
Assessments
Needs assessments compile comprehensive sources of data for
a variety of communities. A community could be a geographic
location or a specific entity, such as a school. Needs assessments
offer data on the current status of specific indicators such
as community well being, crime and safety, levels of economic
deprivation (including poverty rates and unemployment figures),
etc.
Monitoring
Community Indicators
The Data Co-Op has access to considerable amounts of federal,
state, and county data. We draw on these and other sources
to be able to track the current quality of life in San Joaquin
County and the surrounding region.
Strategic
Planning
Our work at the Co-Op extends well past specific research
activities. We provide strategic planning consulting services
as they relate to organizational development, the allocation
of funds, and program design.
Grant
Writing
The Data Co-Op provides both full grant writing services and
professional writing specific to the evaluation section of
grants. Such work enables us to work with clients during the
very beginning stages of their program design - this kind
of early collaboration leads to even stronger partnerships
and more powerful deliverables once grants are funded and
program work has been initiated.
Training
and Technical Assistance
Our team of highly trained professionals offers training and
technical assistance throughout all stages of evaluation and
planning work. Typically, these services consist of assistance
with database development and navigation.
Geographic
Information Systems (GIS) Mapping
Along with a full range of quantitative and qualitative data
analysis, we offer Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping
services. This powerful tool allows us to display U.S. Census
data as well as program specific data via maps.
Our
Methods
Capacity
We have the capacity to implement a wide range of up-to-date
and innovative research designs. It is critical to note that
regardless of the method we employ, we have our clients take
part in a collaborative review of survey documents in order
to be sure that they fully capture the scope of the program
and that they remain fully sensitive to program clients. In
addition, we manage all aspects of data collection work from
initial data harvesting, sampling or recruitment, logistics,
facilitation, note taking, and transcription.
Data
Management and Analysis
In terms of data management we use Excel, Access, and SPSS
databases to store and analyze program data. Some clients
perform their own data entry as we offer on-going technical
assistance, while others prefer that we obtain and enter the
data.
Our
Methodological Approach
Our methodological approach typically involves the use of
both quantitative and qualitative research methods. These
methods include the following:
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Case
Studies
Case studies are qualitative research tools that are
used to obtain in-depth information about the experiences
clients have participating in a program. Most typically,
case studies involve a confidential review of program
documents as well as face-to-face interviews with
program clients and personnel. This approach allows
the researcher to capture powerful testimonials on
program impact.
Key
Informant Interviews
Key informant interviews are often the center of our
qualitative work. These in-depth face-to-face interviews
provide a wealth of data from specific key informants.
Information obtained from these interviews lead to
some of the most concrete and detailed findings on
program impact and success.
Focus
Groups
Focus groups (usually involving from 8 to 12 participants)
serve as a powerful data collection vehicle. These
structured research conservations draw on the collective
knowledge of a full group of program participants,
community stakeholders, experts, etc. Focus groups
allow for exceptionally rich data on program implementation
and effectiveness to be collected.
Surveys
We employ the full range of survey methods. These
include written questionnaires (with fixed, scaled,
and open-ended questions) that are disseminated via
mail, in-person, telephone, and/or via e-mail. All
of these methods allow clients to obtain data from
a large sample of their program participants.
Complex
Data Analysis
The Data Co-Op provides services that cover beginning
descriptive analysis to advanced statistical work.
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