Our Work

Since 1996, OSR has conducted the Michigan data collection for the national Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) on behalf of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The results are used by researchers to monitor the health of the state and nation, and to plan programs to improve the health and access to health care of residents. Since 2009, OSR has also conducted the Asthma Callback Study with BRFSS adult respondents who have asthma or who have a child with asthma. This is a statewide telephone survey involving both landline and cell phones. To see previous years reports and how the data are used in Michigan please click here.

Web and self-administered survey of residents to develop a better understand of neighborhoods, experiences with crime, and perceptions of police. Conducted on behalf of Dr. Edmund McGarrell and Dr. Chris Melde, School of Criminal Justice, Michigan State University and was funded by the National Institute of Justice.

A multi-university research study designed to collect current information on weed management decision and practices from agricultural producers across the United States with specific focus on single and multi herbicidal resistant weeds. OSR is responsible for data collection using both a web-based and self-administered data collection approach.

In partnership with the Columbia School of Business, OSR surveys businesses in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut to assess the impact mandated paid leave policies have on businesses in the food and manufacturing sectors. OSR is currently using a multi-mode approach (web, paper, and telephone) to re-interview business that participated in 2014 and 2015 and add an additional sample of businesses in 2016.

The Office for Survey Research provides evaluation and research service to MSU’s Central Administrative Offices and to Deans, Directors, and Chairperson’s across all of MSU’s degree granting colleges. 

The purpose of these surveys was to assess undergraduate and graduate student’s interest in the creation of a Water Science Degree Program at MSU as well as to gain insight from faculty as to what should be included in the program and to gauge faculty interest in participating in the formation and instruction of the degree.The web-based surveys were conducted on behalf of Professor Joan Rose, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife.

A college-wide web survey of faculty, staff, and students to assess specific aspects of the work environment, such as climate, diversity and civility to determine areas in need of improvement and to guide short, medium and long-term program and policy decisions. The survey will be conducted again in the spring of 2016.

A statewide web survey of Michigan adults designed to gather opinions about timely social issues and to predict and explain conditions for social change. The research was conducted in partnership with Professor Frank Boster, College of Communication Arts and Sciences and Professor Charles T. Salmon, Chair, Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.

A division-wide employee engagement survey to identify areas in need of improvement and to assist RHS in creating short, medium and long-term goals. This was a mixed mode survey using both web and self-administered surveys.

A telephone survey of MSU faculty and academic specialists to evaluate interest in a university based faculty health care center.  Conducted on behalf of The Faculty Health Care Council.

Web-based survey of Michigan adults to gather public opinions related to threats posed by wolves in Michigan and preferred responses to these threats. This research was conducted on behalf of Dr. Meredith Gore, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Dr. Mark Axelrod, James Madison College and was funded by a Michigan Applied Public Policy Research Grant.

A data entry project conducted on behalf of Professor Ted Ferris, Department of Animal Sciences. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the impact of this program as a way to inform and educate the public regarding food production and dairy farming.

Web and self-administrated survey using an ABS targeted sample. The purpose of this study was to analyze existing housing conditions and needs in Clinton, Ingham, and Eaton Counties. This research was conducted on behalf of Dr. Suk-Kyung Kim, School of Planning, Design, and Construction and was funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

A telephone survey of Michigan residents, in selected communities, to determine which factors influenced whether or not a household was willing to participate in an energy upgrade program. The Better Buildings for Michigan program was designed to create a sustainable energy efficiency market by providing outreach and education to increase demand, a skilled energy efficiency workforce to meet that demand, and the tools for lenders to make ongoing investments in energy efficiency in residential, commercial, industrial, and public buildings. The program was funded by a United Stated Department of Energy (DOE) grant.

A series of web surveys of the MSU undergraduate student population examines perceptions and behaviors related to alcohol consumption, especially around particular celebratory events within the university calendar. It also examines students’ views on public service messages distributed as a part of the grant-funded effort to encourage safer drinking related behaviors. This project was awarded a U.S. Department of Education Excellence Award and a PACE award.

A nation-wide web-based survey of school district personnel (principals, curriculum directors, and math department heads) focusing on the expectation that students will complete Algebra I by the end of 8^th or 9^th grade.This research was conducted on behalf of Professors Beth Herbel-Eisenmann and Michael Steele, College of Education, MSU and Professor Janine Remillard, University of Pennsylvania and funded by the National Science Foundation.

OSR has conducted these specialized Behavior Risk Faculty Surveillance Surveys of minority populations due to the increased need to understand the unique health behaviors and needs of these population. The Arabic/Chaldean BRFSS was conducted in Arabic and English and the Hispanic BRFSS was conducted in both English and Spanish.