Surveys -- whether conducted via the Internet, telephone or mail -- of the general public, of
organizations, of employees, and of specific user groups -- can be an important
tool for the development of policies, programs and products. Accurate surveys
can provide a better understanding of the level of satisfaction with its services.
Well-designed surveys can also improve understanding of trade-offs attached to
alternative policies.
SPR has the ability to undertake large-scale national, regional,
provincial and local surveys in English, French and other languages. This
capability has been demonstrated in surveys for federal, provincial and other agencies.
The following are some typical surveys SPR has conducted:
- Surveys of Clients and General Populations
on
topics such as information needs and utilization, quality of life,
environmental concerns, recreational activities, transportation needs,
housing, social services, shopping behaviour, and other areas of citizen and
consumer concern.
- Studies Applying the Common Measurement Tool (CMT):
Many of SPR's surveys have applied this tool, such as recent surveys on client
satisfaction (for Environment Canada), and surveys on homebuyer education tools (for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation).
- Surveys of Government
have been conducted with federal agencies
and their staff, in such areas as housing, health, childcare, and social
development; provincial agencies and their staff; and staff of
municipal agencies, such as transit systems, public utilities, and local
housing authorities.
- Surveys of Business and Industry
have included major industry sectors,
including banking, telecommunications, railways, airlines, biotechnology,
pharmaceuticals, transportation, manufacturing, mining, petrochemicals,
agriculture, retail, publishing, hotels, restaurants and tourism.
- Surveys of Professionals and Associations
have
been conducted with lawyers, human resource managers, environment managers,
teachers, social workers, nurses, physicians, financial planners, librarians
and others.
Computerized Survey Management: All of SPR's surveys are managed using computerized survey
management system which allows for careful assessment of
survey progress, and virtually instantaneous reports on survey results,
validity, and key statistics.
SPR has particular expertise in the development of unique surveys in
both official languages -- in identifying sampling frames, in cost-effective
surveys, and in achievement of high response rates, even with
hard-to-survey populations.