MSRC provides individual attention to clients during each stage of the research project, from initial assessment of data collection needs to survey design to interpretation of results. Well-tested and highly developed quality-assurance procedures and controls are in place throughout the project.

Questionnaires are developed and designed in close cooperation with clients to ensure that valid, reliable data will be obtained. Surveys are pretested and well-developed coding procedures are followed for open-ended questions.

The Win-CATI Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) system is a major component of the survey center's quality control. It provides interviewers a user-friendly format and virtually eliminates potential errors that could occur with a separate data-entry step.

It provides an exact report on the disposition of each call made and the call-scheduling algorithm helps ensure that respondents represent the target population.

Face-to-face interviews are conducted using strict quality-assurance and extensive tracking procedures. In multi-wave studies (conducted over a period of time) these procedures typically yield an 85 percent or better response rate. For field projects, follow-up verification calls are standard procedure.

Quality controls for mailed questionnaires include multiple mailings, follow-up postcards, and postage-paid return envelopes to ensure high response rates. For data entry, 100 percent verification is standard procedure. MSRC conducts verification checks of all data prior to issuing the final report on the project.