SRC International Unit | Survey Research Center

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.

SRC IU has partnered with collaborators across the world on all stages of the international survey lifecycle process, including but not limited to activities such as developing RFPs, project design, sampling, development of data collection technical systems, interviewer recruitment and training, 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:

tailored consultations
formal courses and tailored training
technical systems and applications
quality control using state-of-the-art tools
application of best practices in survey methodology wide variety of settings and cultures

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.

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, Kenya, Malaysia, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Sudan, Thailand, Ukraine and the International Statistical Institute.

Additionally, SRC has provided training and technical support for key international related data collections, including the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), the India Human Development Study, the Chitwan Valley Family Study, the Health and Retirement Study/HCAP international networks, 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.

Get Started On an International Survey Request

Ready to conduct a survey to further your research? We provide customized study designs and work closely with researchers to ensure that data collection meets research goals. Submit an international survey request form and see how we can help you reach your goals.