As an academic-based research organization, CPIP offers its services to government agencies and public policy-related non-profit organizations. In order to engage CPIP’s services, the research agenda should focus on a matter of public policy that has an impact on the lives of residents. CPIP offers a reputation for integrity, quality, and objectivity in all its research services.

Review our Standard Conditions of Engagement.

Download the CPIP brochure.

Custom Designed Research Projects

The majority of CPIP’s contract research is tailored to the particular needs of the client. This may involve a telephone survey with residents who live in a particular travel corridor, an in-person survey of New Jersey’s homeless population, a mail survey or internet survey of residents who use a particular service, or focus group discussions with representatives of an agency’s client base.

CPIP research staff work with the client to develop all research materials, including questionnaires and discussion guides. CPIP can develop new questionnaires, utilize ideas generated by the client, and develop instruments based on other materials. CPIP will also work with the client to determine the most appropriate sampling framework and selection of research participants. CPIP provides data collection services and data analysis and reporting services.

As a unit of Rutgers, CPIP is able to offer lower overhead rates than private research firms. As part of the State University of New Jersey, government agencies find it relatively easy to engage CPIP’s services. Contact us for Research Services.
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Telephone Surveys

The majority of CPIP’s research is conducted using telephone interviews. This is generally the most effective means to obtain a representative sample. Telephone surveys are used whenever telephone contact information is available for all or nearly all potential survey participants. This may include statewide or regional “probability” samples based on random digit dialing or a “census” based on a clientele list.

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Mail Surveys

Mail surveys can be used when inadequate telephone information is unavailable to contact respondents or where the cost of telephone interviewing may be prohibitive. However, with lower costs comes generally lower response rates. CPIP seeks to maximize response through a series of follow-up reminder mailings.

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Internet Surveys

CPIP has conducted a number of Internet surveys in the past few years, using the same rigorous standards as our other research methodologies. Web-based survey instruments allow for less error and better quality data than mail surveys. This option is useful when the participant pool is likely to use the Internet.

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In-Person Surveys

For selected projects, CPIP may be able to offer in-person interviewing. Projects for which this option would make sense include intercept interviews with clients at their point of service and small neighborhood surveys. In-depth personal interviews are also useful with key informants and community leaders.

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Focus Group Discussions

There are times when the research question may be at a stage where qualitative research is a more suitable option. For example, policy makers can identify an important issue or program, but are unsure how it is viewed by affected citizens.

Focus group research provides the opportunity to hear the attitudes and perceptions of individuals in a group setting in order to gauge the intensity of feeling. The research team can also learn the language people use to communicate information about the issue. This can assist in crafting messages that are guided by the target group's actual rhetoric, giving these messages added credibility.

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Standard Conditions of Engagement

In order to engage CPIP’s services, the research agenda should focus on a matter of public policy that will have an impact on the life of the citizenry. CPIP will only employ research methods which, in our judgment, meet accepted standards of practice in the profession. Unless otherwise agreed on between the client and CPIP, the following conditions of engagement apply for contract work:

Confidentiality -- All participants in the study will be assured that any responses or information they provide will be kept strictly confidential. Under no circumstances will any information which would allow respondents to be individually identified be made available to anyone other than authorized CPIP personnel without the express consent of the respondent.

Ownership of Data -- All electronic and paper data files will remain the property of CPIP. Upon request, the client will be provided with a copy of the data file with participant identification removed. If a client wishes to have copies of the instruments, specific arrangements to do so may be made subject to the terms of confidentiality. Upon request, CPIP will return any documents, records, or other information provided by the client to conduct the study. CPIP will destroy all materials and study instruments one year after completion of the study.

Access to Data -- The client may control access to any data collected by CPIP for a study for a period not to exceed one year from delivery of the final report. After that time, CPIP is free to use the data in its teaching, research, and public service programs.

Public Representations of Data -- A client who releases any findings from a survey must also be willing to release the complete data report upon request. If, in the judgment of CPIP, the data collected in a study are publicly misrepresented by the client or anyone else, CPIP retains the right to issue a public corrective. Under no circumstances may any data from an CPIP study be used in paid advertising or any paid promotion without written consent.

Principles of Disclosure -- CPIP complies with the National Council on Public Polls Principles of Disclosure regarding release of the details of a study's methodology and data collection procedures.

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185 Ryders Lane, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
(732) 932-9384 ext. 237 | FAX: (732) 932-1551 | e-mail: eaglepol@rci.rutgers.edu