Research
Quantitative research
The data that organizations need to make business decisions — especially health care claims or other service delivery data — is widely available. Our team, however, goes beyond the simple provision of information. We use it to predict outcomes and behaviors — many of which can affect your clients and members — through a variety of statistical modeling methods:
- Predictive modeling
- Multivariate analysis
- Longitudinal and cross-sectional modeling
Qualitative research
In addition to initiating our own research projects, we design qualitative research projects and develop research methodology tailored to the questions you need to answer. We gather in-depth information about the context in which programs operate, how the programs are implemented, and what stakeholders’ concerns are. Our researchers use a range of qualitative methods:
- Case study methodology
- Key informant interviews
- Focus groups
- Stakeholder analysis
Our qualitative research team has the ability to:
- Define service outcomes
- Develop metrics
- Assist with understanding and interpreting data
Mixed-method research
We often take a mixed-method approach to our work, using both quantitative and qualitative analysis for research studies. This is ideal for the observational, quasi-experimental studies we do, particularly on topics related such as primary care practice, behavioral health, disability, and Medicaid policy implementation.
Evaluation
Assessments lead to program improvement
Our team measures program processes and outcomes to determine which elements are working well, which need improvement, and why the program works the way it does. We also conduct studies to evaluate your program implementation process and preliminary outcomes. Our process evaluations are essential, as they can reveal the underlying reasons for certain outcomes. For example, we identify aspects of workflow that may produce bottlenecks and barriers for the execution of the program.
Wide range of clients
Because we serve such a wide range of clients, we have developed the ability to work seamlessly with stakeholders and resolve differences between individuals, groups, and organizations with diverse interests and viewpoints. We believe that developing effective working relationships among all parties produces better evaluations.
Integrating clinical expertise
In addition to their own experience and training as evaluators and their expertise in health care, our evaluators have access to the extensive knowledge of colleagues in the UMass Medical School departments of Medicine, Family Medicine, Orthopedics, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and Quantitative Health Sciences.
Evaluation methods
In the process of conducting a program evaluation, our team uses the following approaches:
- Combining qualitative and quantitative evaluation techniques
- Convening focus groups
- Developing program logic models
- Using statistical techniques to analyze quantitative data
- Conducting key informant interviews
- Drawing on stakeholder input to enhance our understanding of evaluation data
Our evaluations can include any or all of the following elements:
- Database analysis
- Medicaid claims database
- All-payer claims database
- Agency/program service delivery data
- Electronic medical records
- Relevant publicly available databases, such as vital records or census data
- Qualitative data collection using qualitative coding software that can identify themes from interview and focus group information
- Surveys conducted by evaluation staff members or by survey experts in the Center for Health Policy and Research's survey unit
- Logic models to show the organization and delivery of service
- For organizations launching a new service
- As framework for evaluation
- Economic evaluation
- Cost-effectiveness analysis
- Benefit-cost analysis
- Return on Investment
