UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

SURVEY RESEARCH CENTER

SURVEY RESEARCH CENTER

SURVEY RESEARCH CENTER

The University of Florida Survey Research Center (UFSRC) is one of the largest and most respected university-based survey programs in the United States. The UFSRC conducts mail, telephone, and online surveys using industry-standard practices. With accreditation from the National Center for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and membership in the Association of Academic Survey Research Organizations (AAPOR), the UFSRC has earned a notable reputation for conducting top-quality, independently recognized research. The UFSRC has earned nearly $11 million in revenue over the past decade, which attests to overall client satisfaction and excellent standards.

UFSRC STANDARDS

The University of Florida Survey Research Center provides top quality data with the ability to inform policy decisions, identify trends, and provide meaningful insights into topics, such as human behavior and buying patterns.
The UFSRC’s longstanding reputation, accreditation, experience, and dedication to excellence ensures that its research methods produce reliable and valid data. The UFSRC team offers comprehensive services, which include questionnaire / survey design, survey testing, multi-modal data collection, statistical analysis, and reporting.

SURVEY

OPTIONS

 

UFSRC conducts three primary types of surveys: mail, telephone, and web. Click the name in each tab to discover more about that survey method. We are happy to provide additional details upon request.

Technology

By utilizing cutting-edge technology and innovative research methodologies, the Survey Center delivers high-quality data and actionable insights that help clients make informed decisions.

Systems

The CATI survey lab is among the largest university-based survey units in the country.

SURVEY

OPTIONS

 

UFSRC conducts three primary types of surveys: mail, telephone, and web. Click the name in each tab to discover more about that survey method, and we are happy to provide additional details upon request.

MAIL SURVEYS

The UFSRC conducts a wide range of surveys, including substantial mail-based efforts, such as the Women and Infants Survey for Health (WISH) in collaboration with the Florida Department of Health.
In line with industry best practices, the facility ensures top quality mail surveys conducting a majority of the process in-house, subcontracting only the printing and mailing of the survey components.
The UFSRC applies a meticulous approach to guarantee the following: 

  • efficient execution of mail surveys that aligns with postal schedules 
  • confidentiality of sampled individuals 
  • standardized letters that adhere to the client’s standards (branding, message content, design, formatting) 
  • building upon the positive reputation of UFSRC and UF.  

To further assist with quality control efforts, the UFSRC utilizes a reputable local mail service provider, a secure web portal (for transmitting samples), conducts address verification, provides page proofs for review, conducts on-site visits, and employes “seeded mailings” for quality inspection. Incoming survey mail is securely managed at the UFSRC facility with data entry meticulously handled by trained staff members. For enhanced efficiency and accuracy recording mail survey responses, the UFSRC is in the process implementing Optical Character Recognition (OCR) scanning technology.

TELEPHONE SURVEYS

The UFSRC CATI (Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing) survey lab ranks among the top largest university-based survey units in the country. Utilizing state-of-the-art voice-over-Internet protocol (VOIP) technology, 100% of outbound phone calls are recorded for quality control. The system offers the convenience of live monitoring calls during shifts, as well as the opportunity for real-time remote monitoring for clients.

The UFSRC consists of up to 200 interviewers with 30% to 50% being bilingual, fluent in both English and Spanish. The staff is also ethnically diverse, and gender balanced. The lab operates seven days a week and offers flexible shifts each day to accommodate in-lab and remote interviewers. The UFSRC toll-free number (1-888-536-2434) connects directly to the supervisor desk for prompt customer service and assistance. The programs, Sawtooth Technologies WinCati and Ci3 questionnaire authoring system, allow for complex survey coding and data management, ensuring efficient data centralization, backup, and administration. WinCati allows interviewers to securely interact with individual records, offers flexibility, and the phone system maintains call history records for data analysis as well as quality control. 

UFSRC’s locally developed proprietary Java-based lab management software, Scheduler, sets us apart in the industry by providing objective reviewer performance evaluations and optimizing interviewer assignments. Scheduler has become a critical component of resource management and technical infrastructure since it tracks productivity, attendance, and coding accuracy, allowing lab supervisors to focus on newer employees and improving interviewing techniques. While WinCati is utilized for distributing sample and setting study parameters, Scheduler aids in managing staffing levels to meet survey deadlines, tracks interviewer time records, and enhances overall productivity across surveys.
 

WEB SURVEYS

UFSRC offers two web survey platforms, providing flexibility and security for different needs. The cloud-based Qualtrics web survey system, available through the University of Florida, offers advanced graphical displays for questionnaire design and detailed reporting. Additionally, we provide the Sensus software, hosted on our secure server, suitable for collecting Protected Health Information and seamlessly integrating with CATI software for mixed-mode studies. Regardless of the platform, our survey questionnaires undergo rigorous testing procedures. Surveys can feature single links for multiple respondents or personalized links for email or paper mail distribution, ensuring security and accessibility. We also offer survey administration services, including reminders and duplicates, following a predefined protocol, as well as survey design services for external administration.

Quality Assurance

The state-of-the-art voice-over-Internet protocol (VOIP) telephone system records 100% of phone calls for quality control purposes.

Bi-Lingual

The UFSRC has 30% to 50% of its interviewers and supervisory staff fluent in both English and Spanish.
There are also select interviewers who are fluent in Creole.

MAIL SURVEYS

UFSRC conducts a range of surveys, including substantial mail-based efforts like the Women and Infants Survey for Health (WISH) in collaboration with the Florida Department of Health. In line with industry best practices, we ensure the quality of our mail surveys, subcontracting only the printing and mailing of survey components. To guarantee efficient execution that aligns with the mailing schedule, maintains the confidentiality of sampled individuals, adheres to message content, design, and format standards, and reflects positively on both our team and the University, we employ a meticulous approach. This includes partnering with a reputable local service provider, utilizing a secure web portal for transmitting samples, verifying addresses, providing page proofs for review, conducting on-site visits, and employing “seeded mailings” for quality inspections. Incoming mail is securely managed at our facility, and our trained staff meticulously handle key-entering of survey data. Additionally, we are in the process of implementing Optical Character Recognition scanning technology within our facility for enhanced efficiency and accuracy.

TELEPHONE SURVEYS

Our CATI survey lab ranks among the largest university-based survey units in the country. Utilizing state-of-the-art voice-over-Internet protocol (VOIP) technology, we record 100% of phone calls for quality control and offer live monitoring during shifts, as well as real-time remote monitoring for clients. With a flexible interviewer staff that often exceeds 200, including those fluent in both Spanish and English, we maintain an ethnically diverse and gender-balanced interviewer corps. Operating seven days a week, our telephone facility ensures accessibility, and our toll-free number (1-888-536-2434) rings directly to the supervisor desk for prompt assistance. We rely on Sawtooth Technologies’ WinCati and Ci3 questionnaire authoring system for complex survey coding and management, ensuring efficient data centralization, backup, and administration. WinCati allows interviewers to interact with individual records, offers flexibility, and maintains call history records to prepare for interviews effectively.

Additionally, our locally developed Java-based lab management software, Scheduler, sets us apart in the industry by providing objective reviewer performance evaluations and optimizing interviewer assignments. Scheduler, a critical component of our management philosophy and technical infrastructure, tracks productivity, attendance, and coding accuracy, allowing supervisors to focus on nurturing new interviewers and interviewing techniques. While WinCati handles sample and study parameters, Scheduler aids in managing staffing levels concerning survey deadlines, tracking interviewer time records, and enhancing overall productivity across surveys.

WEB SURVEYS

UFSRC offers two web survey platforms, providing flexibility and security for different needs. The cloud-based Qualtrics web survey system, available through the University of Florida, offers advanced graphical displays for questionnaire design and detailed reporting. Additionally, we provide the Sensus software, hosted on our secure server, suitable for collecting Protected Health Information and seamlessly integrating with CATI software for mixed-mode studies. Regardless of the platform, our survey questionnaires undergo rigorous testing procedures. Surveys can feature single links for multiple respondents or personalized links for email or paper mail distribution, ensuring security and accessibility. We also offer survey administration services, including reminders and duplicates, following a predefined protocol, as well as survey design services for external administration.

For more information or to

request a quote for a survey project,

CONTACT US TODAY

4 + 11 =

SURVEY RESEARCH PROJECTS

The table below contains an overview of the
extensive range of projects and studies conducted
by the UFSRC and also showcases the diversity
of its funding sources and research topics.

Below, you’ll find tables providing a concise overview of the extensive range of projects and studies conducted by the UFSRC. These tables accentuate the diversity of funding sources and research topics we’ve had the privilege to engage with.

FUNDING SOURCE / ORGANIZATION(S)PROJECT TITLE
UF Institute for Child Health PolicyPatient Experience evaluations, Children's Health Care programs, Texas
UF ResearchUF Facility Evaluation of Research, Regulatory Component: Customer Service
UF Health Outcomes & Biomedical InformaticsRecruitment: Focus Groups, Texas Medicaid Program
UF Institute for Child Health PolicyEvaluation of Health Care Providers in Texas
UF Institute for Child Health PolicyRecruitment: Focus groups on MDCP Health Care program
UF Health Outcomes & Biomedical InformaticsInterviews of TeleHealth patients
Committee on Presidential DebatesRecruitment: Participants for 2020 Presidential Debate
Dr. A. Ali, FAMUKnowledge of Cancer Patients & Caregivers on Medical Marijuana
UF College of Liberal Arts and SciencesUF Faculty Evaluation of Assistant Deans / Chair Directors.
UF Health Outcomes & Biomedical InformaticsFlorida Medicaid MMA Program Evaluation
UF Health Outcomes & Biomedical InformaticsSurvey of Medical Transportation Programs in Texas
UF Health Outcomes & Biomedical InformaticsSurvey: Non-Emergency Medical Transportation, Texas
UF College of Liberal Arts and SciencesUF Faculty Evaluation of Non-Tenure Track Faculty Titles
UF Health Outcomes & Biomedical InformaticsEvaluation of Medicaid, MediKids, Healthy Kids, CMS Health Care programs in Florida
Brandeis SSRI (Social Science Research Institute)Study of Racial/Ethnic/Religious identites of UF undergrads
UF Health Outcomes & Biomedical InformaticsEvaluation of Medicaid, MediKids, Healthy Kids, CMS Health Care programs in Florida
UF Institute for Child Health PolicyEvaluation of CMS Health Care programs for Children in Florida
UF Health Outcomes & Biomedical InformaticsFlorida Medicaid MMA Program Evaluation
Dr. M Heft (UF College of Dentistry)Impact of Research & Discovery on Dental Practitioners
FL Agency for Health Care AdministrationEvaluation of Long Term Care Providers in Florida
Charlotte Co., FLSurvey: Extension of 1% Infrastructure Sales Tax, Charlotte Co. FL
FL Dept. of HealthSurvey: Floridian's Tobacco Use (Adults + Children)
UF Institute for Child Health Policy/Health Outcomes & Biomedical InformaticsNCQA/Health Care evaluation surveys
UF Health Outcomes & Biomedical InformaticsFlorida Medicaid MMA Program Evaluation
FL Agency for Health Care AdministrationEvaluation of Florida Healthy Kids program
Florida Dept. of TransportationCustomer Satisfaction Survey: Florida Commercial Drivers
UF Institute for Child Health PolicyEvaluation of Medicaid, MediKids, Healthy Kids, CMS Health Care programs in Florida
FL Agency for Health Care AdministrationEvaluation of HMOs in Florida
Florida Dept. of HealthStatewide Public Health Surveillance Survey, Florida
Florida Dept. of HealthStudy of Women's & Infant Health, Florida
UF Institute for Child Health PolicyEvaluation of CMS Health Care programs for Children in Florida
UF Institute for Child Health PolicyFlorida KidCare evaluation
FL Agency for Health Care AdministrationEvaluation of HMOs in Florida
Ascent HealthHealthcare Assessment, Amarillo TX region
City of GainesvilleCustomer Satisfaction: City of Gainesville Permit Dept.
Florida Dept. of HealthStatewide Public Health Surveillance Survey, Florida
Florida Dept. of HealthStudy of Women's & Infant Health, Florida
Florida Dept. of TransportationCustomer Satisfaction Survey: Florida Commercial Drivers
UF Institute for Child Health PolicyEvaluation of CMS Health Care programs for Children in Florida
UF Institute for Child Health PolicyFlorida KidCare evaluation
FL Agency for Health Care AdministrationEvaluation of HMOs in Florida
Florida Dept. of HealthStatewide Public Health Surveillance Survey, Florida
Florida Dept. of HealthSurvey of Adult Tobacco Use, Florida
Florida Dept. of HealthStudy of Women's & Infant Health, Florida
UF Institute for Child Health PolicyEvaluation: Satisfaction of Parents whose Health Care Plans were changed in FL
UF Institute for Child Health PolicyEvaluation of CMS Health Care programs for Children in Florida
UF Institute for Child Health PolicyFlorida KidCare evaluation
National Science FoundationCollaborative Research: RIPS Type 2: Vulnerability Assessment and Resilient Design of Interdependent Infrastructures
The National Institute of Environmental Health SciencesHealth Impact of Deepwater Horizon Spill in Eastern Gulf Coast Communities

TESTIMONIALS

The UFSRC was critical to the successful completion of our project. We were able to achieve a remarkably high completion rate in a vulnerable population because of the knowledge, skill, professionalism and commitment of the UFSRC staff. These qualities contributed to the credibility of our research findings and allowed us to reach target accrual on schedule.

…Furthermore, the timeliness, completion rates, and response rates for these survey projects have consistently met expectations. The UFSRC conducted these surveys to specifications in both English and Spanish. Quality control protocols were consistently followed, including the monitoring of live and recorded calls, and prompt implementation of recommended changes in response to our feedback.