Generating knowledge to improve lives.

Through rigorous research and program evaluation, the Center for Social Innovation determines “what works.” From experimental designs to ethnographic research and case study methods, we learn how to improve the lives of vulnerable people.

• Experimental Research. We are part of an expert team sponsored by HUD to conduct the most rigorous longitudinal research to date on how best to meet the needs of homeless families.
• Instrument Design and Ethnographic Research. Our ethnographers are conducting in-depth interviews and observations of patient/caregiver relationships to create instruments that identify abuse of multiple sclerosis patients.
• Literature and Survey-based Research. We critically assess research literature in combination with surveys of the state-of-practice in the field to identify best practices and determine the most pressing needs.
• Program Evaluation. We are frequently called on to design instruments and analytic plans for national outcome evaluations, and are experienced with OMB requirements.
• Training and Technical Assistance Assessment. Our onsite and online technical assistance and training programs incorporate pre-post and follow-up evaluation to measure acquisition of knowledge and skills, and improvements in practice.
• Website Testing. We conduct usability and market testing on all of our web-based products and track user trends over time to identify opportunities for improvement.

Whether we are delivering a webcast, a face-to-face training session, or a best practice report, we ground our work in research and evaluation data. We make every effort to ensure that research findings are clearly communicated and effectively translated into everyday practice.