BCSR works in tandem with academics across a broad set of disciplines to implement high-quality surveys. Our expertise is in translating research questions into operational surveys for academic studies and evaluations. BCSR’s clients include CUNY faculty and faculty from other universities in domestic and international projects. BCSR is experienced in preparing, reviewing and working on projects funded by foundations, city and state entities and the federal government (e.g. National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, etc.).
Capabilities and Services
In collaboration with clients, BCSR works on defining the survey timelines and deliverables, as well as advising on the most appropriate survey strategies for efficient and cost-effective implementation. In domestic surveys, BCSR’s capabilities include:
Representative, population-based surveys
Surveys of special populations (e.g. students, hospital patients, elderly, etc.), both representative and non-representative
Cross-sectional and panel designs
Complex sample design and sample weighting
Development of questionnaires
Pre-testing of questionnaires prior to main fieldwork
Question and questionnaire evaluation using tools both quantitative (e.g. experimental comparisons to other similar tools) and qualitative (e.g. cognitive interviews, focus-group testing, web-samples)
Advisement on the most suitable survey mode (e.g. face-to-face, mail, web, phone, mixed-mode)
Survey deployment from BCSR’s CATI Labs (for phone surveys), or through Web-based platforms
Training and supervision of fieldworkers (as required)
Monitoring and supervision during data collection
Cleaning and preparation of final datasets, including sample weights
For international surveys, BCSR provides the technical expertise for survey development and works with in-country implementing partners for fielding the surveys. Throughout the survey process, BCSR is pro-active with clients to ensure that their technical specifications are properly addressed, and local conditions are considered in all stages of survey design and implementation. When working with in-country partners, BSCR provides quality assurance at all stages of work.
BCSR’s capabilities include
Development of Terms of Reference and Call for Proposals
Selection of implementing partners
Development of workplans and review of budgets
Support for US and international Internal Review Board applications
Technical leadership on all stages of survey development and implementation
Support to various survey modes: face-to-face, household surveys, phone and web
Cross-cultural adaptation of survey tools
Collection of objective measures such as GIS locations, height and weight of children and adults, etc.
Support for fieldwork training and monitoring
Delivery of final survey reports, sample weights, analysis and presentation of results
2011 – Immigration, Labor Unions, and State of the City (with Center for Puerto Rican Studies, Hunter
College), 1,207 NYC adults, telephone
2008 – Consulting Day (with Center for Nonprofit Strategy and Management), consultants and
participants, online
2005 – 2009 – Executive Outlook Survey (with Center for Nonprofit Strategy and Management), over 100 executive directors of nonprofit human services organizations, online
2008 – Dominican Studies Institute, NYC Dominican Americans, telephone
