Costs

1
Costs

• Save where you can
• But not where you shouldnt
• And keep a reserve for surprises
• Pamela Spall

2
Stages and types of costs
3
Stages and types of costs
4
Variables on cost behaviour

• Size of the sample
• Size of the survey instrument
• Length of research period
• Labour Costs
• Ownership of Intellectual Property/survey formats
• Geographic spread of the sample
• Complexity of client group, program area or
  policy
• Access to organizations
• Quality of the data collected
• Participation costs

5
Hints on where you can save

• Reduce the size of the sample
• Asking only what you need to know
• Reducing labour costs Outsourcing, selective
  involvement of key researchers
• Using existing data bases/sets (ABS) to
  supplement data
• Reducing the research period by using shorter and
  sharper surveys (e.g. snapshots)

6
Hints on where you can save

• Locating existing survey tools
• Use of electronic surveying
• Using research services that already have
  established infrastructure
• Depending on research question, change to a less
  complex or more organized programmatic area or
  policy

7
Where you shouldnt save

• If sample size impacts on statistical validity or
  reduction appears exclusionary
• If outsourcing cant control quality of process
  of reduces skill
• If survey tool wont answer your research
  questions
• If research participants dont have access to the
  technology or cant use the technology

8
Where you shouldnt save

• If the borrowed survey tool is culturally or
  otherwise inappropriate
• If the key researcher/s are cut out of critical
  phases (e.g. analysis)
• If the instrument is not piloted
• If the data collection process takes a
  mono-cultural approach to culturally or
  linguistically specific groups

9
Peculiarities with nonprofit organizations

• Survey fatigue
• Autonomy of staff and management from management
  committees
• Often there are limited existing data collection
  and other systems within organizations
• Operating in an environment that is not
  necessarily conducive to a research culture (e.g.
  dont fill surveys in properly)
• Priority of Direct Service Delivery v.s.
  Organizational Arrangements
• Limited access to electronic communication

10
Peculiarities with nonprofit organizations

• Limited capacity to pay for research
• Mindset - research is not valid unless everyone
  is included
• Preference for Qualitative Methods relationship
  is valued
• Value participation incentives
• Accuracy of contact data bases

11
Surprises

• Endless number of formats and target audiences
  for nonprofit research
• Participation costs
• Follow-up if not good return labour intensive
  and outsourcing firms will pass on cost
• Accessing statistical expertise