Providing infrastructure and training to advance social science worldwide, The University of Michigan's Survey Research Center (SRC) is an established world leader in the design, collection and analysis of social science data. In 2013, building upon more than 65 years of international work, SRC launched the International Unit (SRC IU), bringing together substantive, operational, technical, and methodological expertise to help build social research capacity worldwide.
The map above indicates countries where the SRC IU has been involved in one or more stages of the survey lifecycle process, including but not limited to activities such as project design, sampling, and data collection. In addition, the SRC IU has been involved in other activities such as the establishment of quality metrics and production of quality assessments, as noted on the SRC International Unit Projects page.
Services for All Phases of Data Collection and Dissemination
SRC IU offers a number of services to support survey research and capacity-building efforts to support the design and implementation of both large and small scale data collection.
The types of services offered by SRC IU include:
- formal courses and tailored training
- systems and applications
- quality control using state-of-the-art tools
- tailored consultations
- data archiving
Tools to Support Survey Design and Implementation
SRC's experience in conducting survey work in countries around the world has guided the development of a 'backpack' of tools and techniques to support the design and implementation of survey designs in both single-setting and comparative surveys. Such tools and techniques aim at building social research capacity, particularly in resource poor countries where survey research expertise and/or infrastructure are lacking. SRC IU also hosts an annual workshop on Comparative Design and Implementation, where participants gather to discuss the newest methodological research relating to comparative surveys.
- Cross-cultural Survey Guidelines (set of best practices for comparative surveys)
- Comparative Design and Implementation Workshop
Institutional and International Collaboration
SRC has a number of institutional partnerships and programs, some spanning more than two decades. Institutional partners are located in Australia, China, Ghana, India, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Sudan and the International Statistical Institute.
Additionally, SRC has provided training and technical support for key international health related data collections, some of which include the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) as well as the World Mental Health Survey Initiative.
SRC International Unit Projects
The SRC IU has engaged in numerous capacity building projects that encompass both survey infrastructure development and technical innovations, has provided methodological consultation for a number of projects, and has engaged in a variety of survey methods research projects. To see all projects, visit SRC International Unit Projects.
