Data Collection

Our experienced team members provide comprehensive support throughout the entire data collection process, from planning to quality control, across the various survey modes previously listed.

Data collection protocol
Research assistant recruitment, training, and management
Participant recruitment and organizing outreach events
Data collection and data quality control
Data extraction from online databases
Multi-site collaboration/coordination

Example Project: Refugee Children Study

The Refugee Children Study interviewed 84 Central American children between the ages of 6 and 12 who were detained with their mothers for at least two weeks between. The data collection took place between 2019 to 2021. Using both psychosocial assessments and semi-structured interviews, the study gathered data on post-detention family dynamics, children’s physical, psychological, and behavioral health, educational adaptation, and social integration.

The DSG supported the study by managing the entire data collection process. Specifically, DSG developed the data collection protocol, trained, and supervised bilingual undergraduate research assistants, coordinated recruitment events with partnering local communities, and recruited eligible participants.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Luis Zayas, former Dean of the Steve Hicks School of Social Work at UT Austin, and current Provost/Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs at UTRGV

Dr. Luis Zayas, Former Dean, The University of Texas Steve Hicks School of Social Work

My NICHD-funded study benefited enormously from the expertise provided by the LRI in several key areas. Project management was entirely led by a research associate, who brought organizational skills to bear on the project from the very first participant enrolled to the very last.

Locating and recruiting participants was difficult given our population, but the LRI enabled us to establish close alliances with local community agencies to identify prospective participants.

The LRI coordinated, screened, hired, trained, and supervised undergraduate student research assistants. In the two-plus years of the project, there were no student-related problems.

As a PI who is also the dean of a school and all the responsibilities that come with the job, the LRI was essential to me to complete the research. There is no doubt in my mind that my next project, an R01 that will be a scale-up from this project, I will turn to the LRI for its help.

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Dr. Luis Zayas, Former Dean, The University of Texas Steve Hicks School of Social Work

"My NICHD-funded study benefited enormously from the expertise provided by the LRI in several key areas. Project management was entirely led by a research associate, who brought organizational skills to bear on the project from the very first participant enrolled to the very last.

Locating and recruiting participants was difficult given our population, but the LRI enabled us to establish close alliances with local community agencies to identify prospective participants.

The LRI coordinated, screened, hired, trained, and supervised undergraduate student research assistants. In the two-plus years of the project, there were no student-related problems.

As a PI who is also the dean of a school and all the responsibilities that come with the job, the LRI was essential to me to complete the research. There is no doubt in my mind that my next project, an R01 that will be a scale-up from this project, I will turn to the LRI for its help."