Background Information

WYSAC=SAC+SRC

Two University Of Wyoming research units, the Statistical Analysis Center (SAC) and the Survey Research Center (SRC), merged to form the new WYSAC on June 1, 2004, expanding services and enhancing efficiency for delivering those services.

The SRC has the facilities and experience for state-of-the-art surveys of all sorts (by mail, telephone or e-mail, and on the Internet), as well as focus group research and in-person interviewing. The SAC has high level expertise in policy analysis and evaluation research, along with data processing and data display. The two units had already been cooperating informally to provide policy makers with accurate and comprehensive studies on criminal justice, substance abuse, education, and other issues. The merger has turned this coperation into a one-stop facility for research assistance.

WYSAC projects are entirely supported through grants and contracts with federal, state, and local entities. Now consolidated in the Laramie Plains Civic Center, WYSAC's offices include up-to-date capabilities for information technology and a fully equipped facility for computer-aided telephone interviewing.

The combined staff of the newly merged organization consists of more than 25 full-time professional researchers with advanced degrees in statistics, political science, psychology, sociology, information technology, business, and other policy-relevant disciplines. WYSAC also employs numerous graduate and undergraduate students as part-time research assistants, interns, and telephone interviewers.

Services

Consultation with a professional researcher

A free initial consultation may cover research objectives, designing the structure of the research, sampling, analysis, or interpretation.

Creating questionnaires

We help write effective survey questions that take into account what information is sought, who will be answering the questions, how the survey will be conducted (mail, phone, etc.) and what the kinds of analysis are needed.

Questionnaire development and pre-testing

Using focus groups or statistical item-analysis, WYSAC can help to ensure the scientific integrity of a survey by testing questions on a small sub-sample before interviewing the full sample.

Conducting surveys in various formats

Our computer-aided telephone interviewing lab provides a cost effective approach for local, statewide, or national polls. We also have efficient procedures and facilities for Internet surveys, mail-out questionnaires (both postal and e-mail) and face-to-face interviews.

Policy analysis and interpretation

WYSAC provides whatever analytical services are needed, from literature reviews and data entry through basic percentage tabulations or complex multivariate statistics. Our expertise in policy and evaluation insures that raw statistical results will be interpreted in useful, valid and comprehensible ways.

Presentation of results

As needed, WYSAC can provide just a data file in Excel or other formats; an executive summary of major points; a basic statistical report showing response percentages; a more elaborate narrative report with cross -tabulations, graphs, maps and discussion of findings; or professional briefings for constituents and policy makers.

Who Can Use Our Services

Public sector agencies, administrators and program managers

To assist in responsive, efficient and effective decision-making

Private sector enterprises and organizations

To remain competitive in the changing economic conditions of their communities, states and regions

Educational institutions

To respond to student academic and service needs that support recruitment, retention and assessment

Academic scholars and researchers

To expand their understanding of social, economic and political phenomena and to provide data essential for critical analysis

We help you ...

Respond to your consumers, clients and citizens

• Assess needs
• Evaluate programs, products and services
• Track public attitudes, behaviors and opinions

Allocate resources and personnel

• Select among policy options
• Establish needed programs
• Provide desired services and products

Make your ideas compelling for critical audiences

• Base conclusions on objective research
• Stimulate social, cultural and economic development
• Build support for your proposals, policies and programs

Recent Clients

Businesses and non-profits

• Mindplay, Inc.
• The Sheridan Press
• United Way of Natrona County
• Wyoming State Bar Association

Local government agencies

• Teton County Library
• Town of Thermopolis
• Town of Wamsutter

U.S. government agencies

• Bureau of Justice Assistance
• Bureau of Justice Statistics
• National Park Service

Wyoming state agencies

• Department of Corrections
• Department of Education
• Department of Family Services
• Department of Health
• Department of Transportation
• Division of Criminal Investigation
• Division of State Parks and Historic Sites
• Legislative Services Office
• University of Wyoming School of Nursing
• Wyoming County Commissioners Association