Sample Projects of The Institute for Policy Research
Public Opinion of Organ Donation and First Person Consent Donor Registry in Ohio
The IPR is the principal research organization working with Lifeline of Ohio Organ Procurement Organization on a three-year grant awarded by the US Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The research project compares Ohioans' attitudes and behaviors toward organ donation three years retrospectively and three years prospectively to the implementation of Ohio's new organ donor registry. Since the research evaluates changes due to state policy, the grant includes the involvement of many agencies and organizations in Ohio, including: the Ohio Department of Health, Second Chance Trust Fund, the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Lifeline of Ohio, LifeCenter, Life Connection and LifeBanc. During the course of the grant, the IPR will be conducting telephone surveys with Ohio adult residents and conducting secondary data analysis of registry data. The professional staff at the IPR has previous experience in conducting research on attitudes and awareness of organ donation issues. The IPR conducted the Anatomical Gift Family Survey that was funded by the Second Chance Trust Fund and the Ohio Department of Health. The HRSA grant will allow the researchers to gain additional knowledge of attitudes and opinions about organ donation. Further, the research will provide valuable information on Ohioans' awareness of Ohio's First Person Consent Registry and changes in attitudes toward donation.
Making Retention Programs More Efficient and Effective: Targeting Students With Likely Retention Problems in Advance
The IPR studied freshmen enrollment over three years and analyzed factors influencing student decisions to stay or leave the University of Cincinnati. The IPR will work closely with the Department of Enrollment Management to continue this research.
Reducing Injury Among High-Risk Pre-School Children
The IPR collaborated with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center as part of a randomized controlled trial to reduce risk of injury among economically disadvantaged pre-school aged children and families through a Head Start-based injury prevention program. The IPR data collection included pre- and post-observation of pedestrian behaviors and vehicle occupant restraint usage.
Genetics and Environmental Risk Factors for Hemorrhagic Stroke
The IPR collaborated with the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Stroke Team as part of the Team's five-year (2002-2007) grant from the National Institutes of Health entitled “Genetics and Environmental Risk Factors for Hemorrhagic Stroke.” As part of the study, the Stroke Team enrolls stroke patients at 16 hospitals in the Greater Cincinnati/ Northern Kentucky area. The IPR supplies matched non-stroke controls for this study on the basis of age, race and gender characteristics. This project is the latest in a series of collaborations with the Stroke Team. The results of another of these collaborations, the 2000 Stroke Factor Survey, were reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association (Schneider, et al. 2003, “Trends in Community Knowledge of the Warning Signs and Risk Factors for Stroke.” JAMA 289:343-346).
Homebuilder's Association: Community Growth Institute Survey
This research focused on surveying individuals involved in community growth and planning regarding their attitudes toward current trends in housing and residential growth in the Greater Cincinnati area.
School Based Mental Health Survey
Butler, Clermont, Warren and Clinton Counties are expanding service capacity and improving mental health services for school-age youth. The IPR gathered specific data on the extent and depth of the counties' needs in order to make recommendations about reapportioning resources or expanding services.
Ryan Fellows Survey
Researchers who have received Ryan Fellowships were surveyed to evaluate their experience with the Ryan Fellowship program.
Ohio Consumers' Counsel, Customer Satisfaction Survey
Surveys were conducted with Ohio residents who contacted Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) for information and assistance about residential utility issues. Results were used by OCC to improve their services for Ohio consumers.
Genetic and Environmental Risk Factors for Hemorrhagic Stroke
The IPR assists with the identification of gender, race and age-matched general adult population controls as part of this ongoing study.
Campaign Finance Institute Survey of Ohio Campaign Donors -- Survey of Ohio Adult Population
This two-part study explored the attitudes and opinions of donors to Ohio political campaigns, and Ohioans' views of Ohio’s campaign donation tax credit. The donor study focused on knowledge of Ohio’s campaign donation tax credits, reasons for donating money and the impact of Ohio’s campaign finance law on their level of giving. The general adult population study focused on knowledge of Ohio campaign donation tax credits. The study was funded by The Campaign Finance Institute, a non-partisan, non-profit institute, affiliated with The George Washington University.
Decanal Review for College of Nursing
The IPR conducted the Decanal Review of Dean Andrea Lindell.
Department of Radiology/Mammography ‘Leavers’ and ‘Stayers’ Surveys
This study of current and former patients of UC Radiology/Mammography Services interviewed patients regarding the factors involved in their choice of a mammogram provider and their satisfaction with mammogram services.
School-Based Health Center Parents Survey
The IPR conducted a survey of parents of students participating in school-based health center programs. The survey included general health status, access to care and availability of insurance for health care.
Babies Milk Fund/Anthem Fluoride Varnish
The IPR provided data management and analysis for a survey of parents regarding fluoride treatment for young children.
Decanal Review for College of Engineering
The IPR conducted the Decanal Review of Dean Stephen T. Kowel.
BMV Interactive Education Project: 2003-2004, Second Chance Trust Fund Grant
The IPR is evaluating the effects of an educational intervention about organ donation and the Ohio Organ Donor Registry at Bureau of Motor Vehicle offices in the Greater Cincinnati area.
Safety and Congestion Issues on Ohio's Roads
Research uses focus groups with Ohio residents to identify important safety, congestion and construction issues on Ohio roadways. Research results will be used by decision-makers to inform the Ohio Department of Transportation's safety initiative.
Biomedical Engineering Survey of Program Educational Objectives
This study examined the opinions of leaders within the biomedical engineering academic community, the medical school admissions community and the biomedical engineering business community regarding recent revisions to the departmental program education objectives.
Examining the Impact of the MedShare Program on the Health, Quality of Life and Financial Status of its Clients
The MedShare program provides lower cost prescriptions to the underserved in the Cincinnati region. Evaluating quality of life factors will provide for an independent examination of the effectiveness of the MedShare program and allow funding organizations and program managers to modify the program, if necessary.
2002 City of Blue Ash Survey of Residents
This study was designed to measure residents’ perceptions of City services and recreation facilities, and assist in the development of updates to the City’s Comprehensive Plan.
Children at Risk: A County-Based Study of Intervention
This study, conducted in Butler County, Ohio, examines the effectiveness of early childhood intervention programs in reducing abuse, neglect and other early childhood psychological problems.
Hamilton County Families and Children First
This study focused on the effectiveness of intervention programs funded in local school districts to use flexible dollars and creative strategies to decrease rates of truancy, suspensions, exclusion, drop out and abuse/neglect and to increase school connectedness.
Reducing Injury Among High-Risk Pre-School Children
This study uses observations to acquire data regarding safety belt and other restraint use among day care and Head Start participants. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to reduce risk of injury among economically-disadvantaged pre-school aged children and families through a Head Start-based injury prevention program. The IPR data collection includes pre- and post-observation of pedestrian behaviors and vehicle occupant restraint usage.
ODOT Customer Satisfaction and ACCESS OHIO Update Opinion Survey
The IPR conducted public opinion research for the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to identify current and future transportation issues for the State of Ohio. Research results are being used to inform ODOT decision-makers and planners on the future of transportation in Ohio.
The Charles F. Kettering Foundation
The IPR has been working on research projects with The Charles F. Kettering Foundation since 1997. Research for The Kettering Foundation has focused on issues related to civic engagement and community-based deliberative decision-making, community economic development and leadership. Specifically, the research projects have been exploratory, providing insight into some of Kettering's research hypotheses about civic engagement, community involvement and citizen decision-making about important public policy issues. The research has primarily used in-depth interviews and discussion focus groups to explore these issues. The results of the research have been used to inform the Foundation's research programs.
The 2002 Greater Cincinnati Community Health Status Survey
The 2002 Greater Cincinnati Community Health Status Survey was conducted by the IPR in conjunction with the UC Institute for Health Policy and Health Services Research. The survey is sponsored by The Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati and The Health Improvement Collaborative of Greater Cincinnati, with funding provided by The Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati. Two-thousand six randomly selected adults residing within a 22 county Greater Cincinnati area were interviewed by telephone in August and September 2002. The Greater Cincinnati Community Health Status Survey provides an in-depth description of the self-reported health status, health behaviors and health opinions of tri-state residents in the fall of 2002. Previous Greater Cincinnati Community Health Status Surveys were conducted in 1996 and 1999.
Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation
The primary purpose of this research was to determine Ohioans’ use of Ohio State Park facilities and willingness to pay a fee for park use.
Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities
This study examined support for specific local taxation options to fund increased alcohol and drug addiction prevention and treatment services. Registered voters were asked if they would support a proposal that would give counties the local option to place extra taxes on beer, wine and liquor to fund increased alcohol and drug addiction prevention services. Registered voters were also asked if they would support a local option that includes taxes on tobacco products for the same purpose.
FreeStore/FoodBank
The IPR worked with the FreeStore/FoodBank to identify residents’ awareness and understanding of the non-profit organization. Residents were asked about their familiarity with the FreeStore/FoodBank and further probed about the purpose of this organization. This research helped the FreeStore/FoodBank make policy decisions regarding their activities both in Hamilton County and the surrounding region.
Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments (OKI)
The IPR worked with OKI to explore attitudes and awareness regarding smog and air pollution in the Greater Cincinnati region. Residents were also asked to assess the air quality as well as evaluate the impact of smog and other air pollution on a number of items. Residents were asked about the sources of air pollution, possible ways to prevent air pollution, their awareness of the "Do Your Share for Cleaner Air" campaign and finally, their compliance with smog alerts.
Cincinnati Police Department
In 2003, the IPR continued a research relationship with the Cincinnati Police Department that reaches back to 1973. The Spring 2003 GCS asked City of Cincinnati residents a variety of questions including perceptions of the Police and their performance, neighborhood and downtown safety and Police-community relations.
Hamilton County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (Hamilton County MR/DD)
The Hamilton County MR/DD sponsored research questions were designed to gauge Hamilton County residents’ attitudes about their organization. Residents were asked about both their familiarity with Hamilton County MR/DD and their perceptions, either favorable or unfavorable, of the organization.
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