Research Strategy and Planning

We meet clients’ research needs where they are, beginning with a needs assessment to understand the landscape, to evaluating reform efforts and monitoring progress.

  • Research design
  • Needs assessments
  • Policy and practice inventories
  • Landscape analysis

Quantitative and Qualitative Research

We analyze and synthesize data to provide leaders and teams with a clear and evidenced understanding of critical issues and strategies.

  • Surveys
  • Focus groups
  • Literature reviews
  • Interviews
  • Large-scale data collections
  • Site visits
  • Consumer testing

Program and Policy Evaluation

We use rigorous methods to evaluate programs at the pilot, replication, or scaled stage. Our evaluation designs provide real-time feedback to support continuous improvement.

  • Customized, iterative, evaluations
  • Formative and summative evaluations
  • Randomized control trials
  • Quasi-experimental design
  • Culturally responsive, participatory, systems, and developmental frameworks

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We use comprehensive student-level data to predict outcomes using customized algorithms, and develop chatbots using our own tuned large language models (LLM) to provide students with tailored, nuanced information.

  • Predictive analytics
  • Chatbots and text analytics
  • AI equity and ethics

Data Collection and Management

We support our clients’ data goals with customized data collection, management, and interactive reporting systems that enable easy analysis, assessment, monitoring and modeling.  

  • Customized data collection systems; managed data collections
  • FERPA and HEA Privacy Act compliant systems
  • Customized benchmarking metrics
  • Interactive data reporting tools
  • Widely vetted data sharing agreements

Data Coaching and Tools

We expand organizations’ data capacity by facilitating the strategic use of data that drives change.

  • Workshops, webinars, and tutorials
  • Technical assistance
  • Tools, toolkits, and guides

Examples of data coaching topics include:

  • Conduct a deep data dive
  • Benchmarking and target setting
  • Tell your institution’s or network’s story
  • Document the impact of promising practices
  • Create a data plan
  • Communicate effectively with data