The Relationship Research Institute provides a variety of research services to individuals and organizations of all kinds. We are a full-service research facility; our services range from study design to data analysis and everything in between. We have extensive experience conducting research on interpersonal relationships, including couples and families. We are also pros at conducting program evaluations aimed at assessment of the efficacy of various services and educational materials.
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Study Design
RRI researchers can assist you in the designing and planning of your research project and can help you to:
- Establish and understand the primary objectives of the project and how best to achieve them
- Identify the study population and appropriate recruitment techniques
- Identify the strongest ways to operationally define key constructs and best instruments to use
- Develop new tools and assessment methods that capture your primary constructs
- Select methods of measurement, data collection, and analysis
- Develop a realistic budget and time line for each stage of the research
Data Collection
RRI offers a wide variety of data collection methods, including multi-method assessments that include survey-based, physiological, and observational techniques. We believe that evaluation of human perceptions/cognitions, physiological functioning, and observed behavior provide a full picture of functioning. We also employ such methods using both cross-sectional and longitudinal approaches.
We have extensive experience conducting multi-method assessments of interpersonal relationship functioning and program evaluation within a variety of natural and lab-based settings, including:
- Conflict Discussions with Couples
- Dyadic or Triadic Parent-Child Interactions (e.g., teaching tasks, emotional discussions, play time)
- Oral History Interview with Couples
- Events of the Day Discussion with Couples or Families
- Paper Tower Task with Couples or Families
- Decision-Making Tasks (e.g., hypothetical lottery spending)
- Meta Emotion Interviews with Parents and/or Couples
- Focus Groups
- Phone, Interview, and Web-Based Surveys
Data Coding and Reduction
RRI researchers can process data collected by our team or yours and prepare it for analysis and dissemination as needed. Our highly trained team is able to perform the following:
- Observational data coding (e.g., Use of Specific Affect Coding System—SPAFF—on dyadic interactions, Oral History Interview coding, Meta Emotion Interview coding, Parent-Child Interaction coding)
- Reduction of observational data (e.g., preparing SPAFF so that your team can obtain the “four horseman of the apocalypse” or the ratio of positive to negative affect)
- Reduction of physiological data (e.g., autonomic nervous system functioning, including facets of both sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system)
- Entry and reduction of self-report data
- Creation of datasets to be analyzed by our team or yours
- Transcription of interviews and/or paradigms
Data Analysis and Report Writing
Once the data is ready for analysis, we can assist in the development, use and interpretation of statistical procedures to test specific hypotheses. A broad range of statistical analyses can be offered, from basic descriptive statistics to complex modeling.
Consultation and Cost Estimates
Appointments for initial consultation are free of charge. Clients may request preliminary estimates of the costs of services to be provided. We will work with your team to find a way to meet your research and budgetary needs. Please contact info@rrinstitute.comfor more information.