Strategic Research and Planning Services

Primary Research

Primary research is used to collect data directly by a researcher via a questionnaire, observation, or experimentation.

Secondary Research

Secondary research involves the use of data that has already been collected by other sources or through prior research. This type of research is relevant when you have a question that IEEE members and customers cannot help you answer or when someone has already researched the topic about which you are trying to learn.

Such topics may include:

• market trends;
• country-specific demographics and statistics;
• competitor or industry information.

IEEE Strategic Research and Planning can help you determine, gather, and interpret the appropriate information and resources to accomplish this task.

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Preparation

IEEE Strategic Research and Planning will meet with the requesting department to:

• discuss objectives, methodology, sample size and process;
• provide each other with a clear understanding of what is involved in the study;
• discuss the best way to attain the desired results;
• set expectations and a general timeline.

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Survey Design & Implementation

This service involves the following steps:

1. Requesting group provides first draft of questionnaire to research team.
2. Research team will review draft and provide feedback. This step may be repeated several times, depending on complexity of the survey.
3. Research and requesting department will discuss sample requirements and determine who supplies the sample.
4. Requesting group will provide first draft of the survey invitation and the survey reminder. Research can provide samples.
5. Depending on length and complexity of the survey and resources available at the time, the survey will either be programmed by IEEE Strategic Research and Planning or outsourced to a vendor. Costs to outsource the survey can vary from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. All print surveys will need to be handled by an outside vendor.
6. Research team tests the survey using several Internet browsers.
7. Requesting department will review and test the Web survey.
8. The survey will be distributed to the sample. Research team monitors response rate and provides a preliminary update (usually within 24 hours).
9. If needed, a reminder is sent approximately one week after survey is launched.
10. Survey closes anywhere between one to three weeks after survey is launched
11. Research team provides a basic PowerPoint presentation of the results and be raw data of the results in an Excel file and a final copy of the questionnaire.
12. If requested, research team will go over the results to help you gain a better understanding of the data.

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Analysis & Recommendations

In step 11 of "Survey Design and Implementation," the requesting department is provided with a basic PowerPoint of the results. This does not include a summary of the results or recommendations. Nor does it include any further analysis that can be derived from the data, such as relationships among various questions, profiles of respondents that responded a certain way to particular questions, or any other information that may prove interesting and/or informative.

IEEE Strategic Research & Planning can help. Depending on the scope of the request and the available resources, Research will either handle the request at no additional charge to you, or help you outsource the request to a capable vendor. Depending on your needs, vendor costs will generally range from US $2000 to US $5000

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Vendor Selection & Project Liaison

There are times when the scope and needs of a study warrant the extra help of an external research vendor. IEEE Strategic Research & Planning assists through the following process:

1. IEEE Strategic Research & Planning solicits proposal(s) to handle your project and helps you determine your best option.
2. Once a vendor is chosen, Research will facilitate a "kick off" meeting between the requesting department and the vendor in order to clarify the scope of the project, requirements and expectations of both parties, and a project timeline.
3. Primary correspondence for the project will continue between the requesting department and the vendor. IEEE Strategic Research & Planning should be copied on all correspondence. Research will keep abreast of the developments and get involved whenever it is deemed necessary or requested by either of the parties.
4. Although it is the primary responsibility for the requesting department to ensure that the project stays on track, Research will monitor the status of the project as it progresses.
5. Research will review the results for general consistency and logic.
6. Once the project is near completion, Research will ensure that the requesting department is satisfied and feels that their expectations have been met.

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Strategy Consultant

Invite IEEE Strategic Research & Planning to your strategic meetings. Research is involved in most of the research projects conducted at the IEEE. Not only are they exposed to the results of the studies, they are often the ones analyzing the data and providing recommendations. Research is privy to many of the current activities, issues, challenges, and strategies existent throughout the IEEE. Tap into their knowledge and experience to help you through your strategic issues. (see Staff Resume) 

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