Skills & Expertise

Evaluations & Research

CHSR staff are skilled at designing evaluations and research studies using both qualitative and quantitative methods, and at conducting evaluation studies using primary and secondary data with a variety of research techniques.

Frequent methods of data collection include phone, mail, and online surveys (programmed by our two Qualtrics-certified research experts); key informant interviews and focus groups; participant observation; use of administrative datasets; and use of existing programmatic data, including document reviews and data extraction.

CHSR also has extensive expertise in quantitative and qualitative data analysis of large and small data sets using exploratory and advanced analysis techniques, including multivariate regressions, propensity score matching, network analyses, coding, and thematic analyses.

Further, CHSR staff are skilled at providing useful feedback to key stakeholders and service providers, program administrators, policymakers, and the general public. CHSR produces comprehensive and topic-focused reports and research briefs, peer-reviewed publications, formal and informal presentations, and engaging and meaningful data visualizations that help to share project results and recommendations with all appropriate audiences.  

Needs Assessment

CHSR researchers often undertake large- and small-scale needs assessments for state agencies and local organizations. A needs assessment is a systematic process for identifying needs or gaps between current and desired conditions, i.e., assessing the current needs and gaps between people and services. They may be used to play new work but can also inform updates or improvements to current practices, policies, and service delivery. They can also serve to engage key stakeholders and to provide baseline data for subsequent program evaluation.
 

CHSR staff again use both qualitative and quantitative methods to complete needs assessments, such as: administrative data and program documentation reviews, literature reviews, surveys and interviews with both program staff and participants, and observational assessments. 
 

And staff again focus on providing useful, comprehensive, and comprehensible information to key stakeholders through reports, briefs, presentations, and informative visualizations.  
 

Program Development

CHSR researchers and staff assist human service programs and government agencies in meeting the expectations of funders and the public.

Our experienced team creates logic models; develops performance targets, indicators, and outcome measures that define and demonstrate progress and achievement; and works with organizations to prepare proposals and grant applications.

Systems & Software Development

CHSR designs customized computer information solutions to meet the programmatic, administrative, and evaluation needs of human service providers and government agencies. We develop easy-to-use Internet, intranet, and stand-alone applications which produce timely, meaningful, and comprehensible output, including automated reports and overview dashboards (see below for examples). All of our systems comply with the strictest standards regarding confidentiality and data security. We also provide outstanding client service, in the form of live helpdesk support, application training, and ongoing client communication.