• Information Technology
• Clinical & Multisite Studies
• Survey Technologies
• Data Management
• Web Technologies
• Health Informatics
• Bioinformatics
• Software Engineering Processes
• Geospatial Analysis, Information Systems, & Modeling
• Modeling & Simulation
• Leading-Edge Technologies
• Data & Network Security

Contacts

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Survey Technologies

As an industry leader in survey research, we undertake scientific surveys of varying size among a wide range of populations while controlling cost and ensuring data quality. Our survey-related services include mail, telephone, in-person and Web surveys, records abstraction, collection of biological specimens, subject tracing, focus groups, and health registries. For more information about computer-assisted interviewing techniques, see Survey Research Data Collection.

Supporting the data processing needs of this work are dozens of computing scientists who specialize in developing and employing survey technologies. Their tasks include implementing questionnaires, extracting and formatting data, producing documentation and reports, designing security measures, creating databases, writing queries, coordinating data file interchange agreements with external sources, suppressing identifiers, creating public use files, and performing other data- or system-related actions that are essential for the success of survey data collection and dissemination.

Capabilities

• Case management and control systems for survey projects, such as our Nirvana Survey Management System
• Computer-assisted interviewing software and authoring systems, such as our Hatteras Web-Interview System and Statistics Netherlands' Blaise software
• Computing support for multiple modes of data collection, including telephone, in-person interviewing, Web surveys, audio computer-assisted self interviewing (ACASI), interactive voice response (IVR, or T-ACASI), and data collection with handheld devices
• FIPS-Moderate (NIST-Moderate) compliant systems for survey data collection
• Automated data collection and processing, including automatic coding, machine editing, and scanning/optical character recognition
• Specialized survey support systems such as paperless systems for field studies (DocMan), automated testing tools (RoboTools), and computer-assisted recorded interviewing (CARI)
• Field systems technical support to provide personalized assistance for field data collectors and interviewers
• Data management, reporting, and analysis functions, including file delivery with derived and recoded variables, and sanitized or de-identified deliverable files to protect respondents' privacy
• Encryption techniques for data in transit, on portable media, on laptops, or stored in a networked environment

Projects

• Medical Expenditure Panel Survey-Medical Provider Component (MEPS-MPC) (2008 to date). The MEPS-MPC system extracts data from the medical and billing records of hospitals and other health providers across the country. The system uses RTI's Hatteras system for data abstraction instruments and custom-built case management system for tracking the progress of data collection.
• Questionnaire Development and Testing for Global Adult Tobacco Survey (CDC Foundation, 2007–2009). Supports World Health Organization and CDC efforts to design and implement a standard survey protocol to collect data on tobacco use in low- and middle-income countries with the highest smoking rates and track countries' progress in implementing tobacco-free programs. Includes assistance with data entry and implementation of handheld electronic data collection instruments in participating countries.
• Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) (CDC, 2004–2009). Tasks include: (1) develop CATI system to be used by 30 state-based data collection sites to ensure technical best practices; (2) develop a Web-based tool (PONDER) to support an online analysis tool and provide sophisticated, real-time analysis capabilities; (3) create a publicly accessible version of the PONDER application (CPONDER) to facilitate analysis; (4) support the PRAMS program staff and the MCH research community with SUDAAN training; (5) support production of an annual surveillance report.
• Evaluation of the Implementation and Impact of Community-Level Initiatives to Promote Healthy Marriages (ACF, DHHS, 2003–2010). Uses computer-assisted personal interviewing to assess the effectiveness of the Community Healthy Marriage Initiative for a representative sample of the community.
• National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (SAMHSA, 1999–2011). Collects data from approximately 250,000 households per year through the efforts of field interviewers, using both handheld and laptop computers. Requires a complex IT infrastructure, including specialized data collection hardware and software, data transmission systems, data processing, analysis and control software, approximately 50 large relational databases, and approximately two terabytes of secure disk storage. Encompasses five independent project Web sites.
• Adolescent Health (UNC-CH, NICHD, 1999–2009). Studies the health-related behaviors and outcomes of adolescents in grades 7-12. Through various approaches to tracing, 85% of the adolescent cohort were located to complete questionnaires using a computer-assisted data collection application, including an electronic 'event history calendar' and later a telephone-ACASI survey instrument (T-ACASI).
• National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (HHS, 1997–2011). Collects individual- and family-level data from those in the child welfare system, their caregivers, and caseworkers. The NSCAW team pioneered the use of CARI technology, an RTI innovation, along with extensive ACASI interviewing and innovations such as electronic signature and document management systems.