In just a short time, the University of Wisconsin-Superior’s Center for Research and Evaluation Services (CRES) has become a critical resource for local businesses, nonprofits and public institutions throughout the region.
For businesses and organizations within major cities, a wealth of resources for data collection and analysis, program assessment and evaluation and process facilitation can easily be found to help increase efficiency or meet client needs.
But this isn’t always the case for smaller communities in the region. Research services can be difficult to bring on-site or are not available at all.
After completing a study of research centers offering similar services in Wisconsin and Minnesota, surveying local organizations to assess research needs and subsequent interviews with a sample of survey respondents, it was determined that an applied research center would meet an existing need in our community.
UW-Superior is uniquely situated to provide education, workforce and economic support for the surrounding community – namely its Anchor of the North initiative. CRES exemplifies this mission by supplying quality research services by experienced professionals to support and transform the operations of regional organizations.
This assistance is even more beneficial for rural communities outside of the Superior and Duluth area.
CRES provides critical research and assessment services for local businesses, nonprofits and public institutions throughout the region. Research services include both primary and secondary data collection and analysis. Examples include surveys of internal and external client stakeholders, focus groups, market analysis and data collection and analyses for grant submissions.
FINDINGS FOR THE FAIRGROUNDS
CRES has been working with the Douglas County Board of Supervisors to conduct an analysis of usage of the Douglas County Fairgrounds property. Through the summer and fall, CRES conducted numerous surveys and interviews with residents, businesses and county and city officials regarding the Head of the Lakes Fairgrounds, located in Douglas County. There were variations of the survey for county residents, local businesses and participants at the fairgrounds.
Questions about the fairgrounds included how residents use the space, what events they attend and what additions or changes they would like to see there. Residents who do not use the fairgrounds are also invited to take the survey. There was also a separate survey for businesses in the surrounding area of Superior.
The research project, which began in February, examines how the fairground are currently being used, its economic impact and what county residents would like to see happen at the fairgrounds. The center also looked at other models in similar counties and provided a variety of options for consideration and further investigation based on the input received and the comparative analysis conducted. This information was presented to the Land and Development Committee in October and to the entire Douglas County Board of Supervisors in November.
“Douglas County residents care deeply about the fairgrounds and desire its growth and improvement,” said Alisa Von Hagel, UW-Superior professor of political science and member of the research team. “There’s evidence that fairgrounds events have a positive economic impact on the community and there are opportunities for additional economic benefit.”
SUPPORTING MENTAL HEALTH
CRES has been working with Arrowhead Behavioral Health Initiative (ABHI) in Minnesota for the past year to conduct an assessment of the current behavioral health landscape in Northeast Minnesota in order to identify critical improvements to existing services, new opportunities for investment and important policy recommendations.
“This project is extremely important to me, since I have a passion for understanding the ways in which we can improve our mental health continuum of services to better meet the needs of the region – whether in Minnesota or Wisconsin,” said Lynn Goerdt, UW-Superior professor of social work and member of the research team.
Goerdt worked with CRES in facilitating interviews and focus groups to learn about the experiences and ideas of community members. The project was able to connect with nearly 175 individuals from across Northeastern Minnesota, which led to an extremely robust assessment of the need and recommendations for consideration by the ABHI.
“There is an urgency to this work, and I appreciate that the Region 3 (ABHI) Initiative is willing to work with us to help them figure out what types of investments need to be made,” said Goerdt. “They are an organization that I have a long history with, so I am grateful that they have trusted us with this critical project.”
CONNECTING WITH CASDA
Additionally, this fall, CRES worked with the Center Against Sexual & Domestic Abuse (CASDA) to conduct a survey to understand the public perception of CASDA and the services it provides within the community.
The survey aimed to hear from individuals across the communities of Superior, Bayfield and Ashland to identify the public’s awareness of CASDA and its services, identify gaps in knowledge that are impacting the public perception of CASDA, and gauge public sentiment and attitudes toward CASDA. The valuable information gained from this survey will assist CASDA leadership in future planning efforts for the organization and community engagement strategies.
While the impact of the Center for Research and Evaluation Services can be felt throughout the community and on the UW-Superior campus, the center will continue to grow in response to area needs.
For more information, to submit a research project request or to receive an estimate, please email research@uwsuper.edu or visit uwsuper.edu/center-for-research-and-evaluation.
Jim Biros is communications specialist in the University Marketing and Communications Department.
