Applied Research & Evaluation

For more than three decades, Metis Associates has designed and conducted research studies and evaluation projects for educational institutions, government agencies, foundations, and community-based organizations. These applied research and evaluation activities are undertaken in a wide range of settings and programmatic areas, from child welfare to education to workforce development. Metis prides itself on taking a participatory approach to research and evaluation, involving clients throughout the life of the project.  Often, this process begins with helping clients to articulate their theories of change, craft research questions of interest, and determine the evaluation methods and measures that will best serve to answer these questions. Our teams, made up of evaluators, educators, former local and state administrators, sociologists, research psychologists, statisticians, anthropologists, and data specialists, work closely with our clients to understand their needs, identify their questions, and help them develop the best strategies to find answers.

Metis balances its strong statistical and quantitative-analysis capabilities with unparalleled qualitative research skills. Quantitative methods can range from simple univariate statistics to more complex multivariate analyses, depending on the study requirements. Metis’s expert statisticians are highly experienced in developing large databases, using them to track cohorts longitudinally, and monitoring trends as the quantity and breadth of data grow over time. We are also highly adept at designing survey instruments and managing survey logistics; conducting interviews, focus groups, and program observations; and analyzing and interpreting findings. We also have extensive experience developing rigorous evaluation plans including those using an experimental or quasi-experimental design.

Accommodating the perspectives of various constituencies and helping our clients to achieve consensus around technically and socially appropriate evaluation designs is one of our strengths.  Through a synthesis of methodological expertise and field-based experience, Metis’s research and evaluation professionals are able to provide recommendations that are grounded in solid research, feasible to implement, and most helpful for program improvement. Moreover, these recommendations, grounded in complex and detailed analyses, are presented in ways that are accessible to a variety of audiences, helping our clients to understand and communicate the significance of the findings. Metis also helps agencies develop and transition to a self-evaluation structure, reflecting growing demand on the part of many funders for ongoing, internal progress tracking.