Research, Evaluation and Policy Studies
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Ensuring that decisions are informed by evidence is increasingly recognized as important to clients. DB provides technical and analytical support services that enhance a client’s ability to measure progress and reach their mission objectives. Our research and evaluation services construct the knowledge, technical skills, and experience required to promote informed development and improvement to a client’s initiatives.
Research Services
DB’s research staff work in partnership with clients to ensure research activities are based on sound designs that lead to meaningful results and are successfully implemented according to the highest standards. We provide complete solutions to a client’s research needs, from initial project formulation to analysis, interpretation, reporting and dissemination of research results, and incorporation to longer term projects. DB has the logistical experience and capability to facilitate and support projects of any size and complexity. Our research services include:
- Planning and research design
- Thorough analysis of variables
- Effective and efficient data collection
- Accurate data processing
- Customized survey and assessment instrument development
- Interviews, focus groups, and on-site visits
- Data collection, database management and data storage
- Statistical analysis and interpretation
- Technical reporting and written results and recommendations
- Unbiased presentation and reporting to relevant groups
DB has provided research services for many clients, including NASA, HUD, DHS, and HHS. For HUD’s Office on Departmental Operations, for instance, DB designed eight survey protocols to assess cost effectiveness, customer satisfaction, usability, program viability, and general awareness of the HUD kiosk program.
Program Evaluation
DB engages in evaluation to ensure the effective functioning of client programs. DB’s evaluation consultants facilitate effective use of evaluation findings, including interpretation of evaluation results and assuring that findings are accessible and to select audiences. Our methods are both quantitative and qualitative, including the use of surveys, focus groups, key informant interviews, and observations; and we employ logic models and other evaluation approaches. Our evaluators conduct evaluations that range in scale from the simple to complex, for example:
- Finding evidence of whether a specific program is meeting expectations
- Determining whether a given program or project is being implemented as planned and on time and within budget
- Determining whether a program or initiative is on track and how it may be improved
- Testing theories and building models for generalizing programs across multiple settings
DB has conducted basic evaluations ranging from information dissemination conferences and scientific meeting evaluations for NASA, ED, and SAMHSA, and more complex program evaluations conducted for NASA, CDC and HUD. For HUD, as an example, we evaluated the impact of the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity and the Office of General Counsel’s Pilot Program on fair housing case processing.
Policy Studies
DB’s policy analysts and researchers apply research methods in surveys, secondary data analysis, and quantitative and qualitative statistics to analyze the process and impact of public and internal policy development, initiation, and implementation. Through our policy studies we work with clients to examine the organizational structure and foundation of strategic policy actions; develop performance-based management processes and metrics; and analyze the economic, jurisprudential, and regulatory foundations of major policy decisions. We work with clients to solve complex external and internal policy challenges, address policy issues, and critically evaluate policy information. We examine inputs to the policy process and cost-benefit analysis of policy impacts as the basis for policy formulation. For example, for the CDC Procurement and Grants Office (PGO) DB provided policy development and analysis that enabled the PGO to meet its obligation to protect the public trust and enhance effective partnerships. Services included conducting a benchmark analysis of policy development divisions of comparable government, academic, corporate and non-profit organizations, drafting statements of policy and procedures for inclusion in the PGO Standard Operating Manual, and developing protocols for responding to staff and management inquiries concerning the interpretation and application of specific policies. Clients include NASA, HUD, HHS, and SAMSHA.
Database Design and Data Management
To complement our research and evaluation practice, our programmers and computer specialists create customized and flexible databases that maintain and track all information needed to produce required client reports and lists. We design databases to track and extrapolate data from many sources and of varying complexity, from simple mailing lists to advanced, multilevel relational databases. We are proficient in analyzing secondary data sets and in conducting data mining and develop algorithms designed to explore data and search for patterns and relationships.
DB staff meet with clients to capture pertinent information, then make recommendations to improve the functionality of the final product. After creating the database, DB staff provide data management services, including information retrieval, input, and analysis. If required, DB’s custom databases can be updated on our Web portal on a daily basis for easy access by clients or designated users. This information can be secured so that only those approved will receive access. We have demonstrated our competence and excellence in providing these services to NASA, HUD, CDC, and other agencies. In addition to providing technical assistance and database management for the Special Needs Assistance Program (SNAPS) Project at HUD, we are creating and maintaining administrative databases to support NIDA’s Clinical Trials Network.
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For more information, please contact us at 301.589-4020 or email info@dbconsultinggroup.com