SOURCE researchers use a variety of methods to get clear, unbiased answers to your questions. Our methods are tailored to your organization’s research needs, and we will work with you to determine the best approach to get the information you need.
SOURCE uses tools like surveys, interviews, focus groups and field observations to gather information from a wide range of representative groups. This provides you with clear, unbiased and objective data to inform your organization’s decisions.
SOURCE has examined issues such as:
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- The impact of dam removal on river businesses and recreation
- Parental attitudes towards vaccination
- Public opinion regarding changes to road use patterns
- Public opinion regarding forest management
- Attitudes and perceptions of wildfire risk
- Evaluation of new educational curriculum
- Evaluation of public health program
- Economic impact of Southern Oregon University
- Student quality of life
- Vineyard and wine production in Oregon
Applied Research
Applied research is a scientific approach to investigating real-world issues, and using the results for immediate and practical solutions. Applied research gives you the data you need to take the guesswork and assumptions out of your organizational decisions.
Evaluation
Evaluation is the process of assessing the effectiveness of your organization’s program, policy, project or services. This includes determining whether your policy or program is achieving the desired goals and benefits, and whether it is cost effective. External evaluation is often required on federal, state and local grants.
External Evaluation
Sometimes people think of evaluation as only happening at the end of project – often a federal grant – to see whether project worked or not. But really, evaluation can, and should, be used as an ongoing management and learning tool to improve an organization’s effectiveness. By monitoring your progress and processes, an external evaluator like SOURCE can help avoid wrong turns and keep your project focused and moving toward meeting your mission. This also helps your bottom line by maintaining funding.
Many grant-funded programs require external evaluation. Funders want to know if your projects are performing as expected and having the expected impact. SOURCE can evaluate your project to determine if it is:
- Meeting the needs of the community
- Cost effective and efficient
- Meeting the goals of the funding agency
- Sustainable
- Having the impact you expected
We can help you know if your work is accomplishing what you want or if there are better alternatives.