Our research and evaluation division works with our clients to develop tailored solutions that effectively address their research questions, use the most appropriate and rigorous research methodologies, employ effective data collection strategies, and provide timely, actionable analyses to meet all study objectives.
The MSG team’s expertise includes designing complex studies, developing qualitative and quantitative instruments, conduction data collection and analysis, creating and manipulating complex databases, working with statistical software packages, and producing and disseminating briefing materials and technical reports. |
Dan Geller
Director, Evaluation Services
MSG's range of research and evaluation capabilities use multiple methods to address issues as diverse as program integrity, data and cost analysis, performance improvements, and program impact. Recognizing that each engagement is unique, we listen to clients to better understand their needs and design a customized evaluation approach to yield practical and usable results that prepare programs to meet the challenges ahead.
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MSG’s overall approach to designing and implementing multi-method research and evaluation studies is heavily client- and best practices-driven. This allows us to respond to the complex research requirements of many different types of clients and has enabled MSG to build a library of data collection tools, systems, databases, and processes that we can tailor to meet each client’s needs.
MSG strives to provide flexible solutions because we are aware of our clients changing context and needs. We incorporate continuous client feedback into every stage of an engagement, and consistently use that feedback to adapt and improve. In addition, MSG provides strategic dissemination of aggregate findings. We document successes, challenges, and everything in between, and ultimately help our clients achieve optimal sustainability and impact. |
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Program Assessment & Monitoring Our program assessment practice is based on a foundational approach that seeks accurate programmatic information and actionable recommendations, and is grounded in rigorous methods and evidence-based practices that document success, build capacity, and support innovation. The MSG evaluation team is comprised of seasoned project managers, analysts, and SMEs with decades of research and evaluation experience at the Federal and state level, all of whom have a penchant for thinking outside-the-box.
Impact analysis helps our clients to understand the potential consequences of change, and is a necessary step when considering potential changes to policy or regulations. MSG has worked closely with several federal agencies to conduct large scale impact analyses, including an effort with the Department of Housing and Urban Development to determine the impacts of five major HUD programs on combined housing and transportation costs in HUD-assisted communities.
All organizations require a sound understanding of their funding priorities in order to function efficiently. MSG has worked with numerous clients to develop estimates of the return on investment of particular initiatives and grant programs. For example, MSG worked closely with the National Science Foundation to understand and document a multi-year investment in Nanotechnology Undergraduate Education. This project resulted in agency and programmatic recommendations along with a publicly accessible report detailing the impacts for a wide audience of policy and decision-makers.
Program Integrity and Accountability With a broad base of experience in research directed to assessing the extent to which programs meet their goals, the MSG team conducts studies of program integrity and accountability, including the assessment of improper or erroneous payments. The firm is currently supporting USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service with innovative studies on erroneous payments, one in the Child and Adult Care Food Program and one related to the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. Both will provide clients with actionable insights to reduce errors and ensure that program resources are targeted to those eligible for benefits.
Portfolio analysis helps our clients to understand how their mix of funding investments are supporting their overall objectives. MSG is currently leading a comprehensive, mixed-methods study design to examine the effectiveness of NSF's SEES(Science, Engineering, and Education for Sustainability) grant program, analyzing a cross-directorate portfolio that promotes research and education activities to address issues of sustainability.
Program Design & Improvement MSG works collaboratively with our clients to develop programs that align with their strategic objectives. With many years of experience as practitioners, administrators, and policymakers, our staff are well-versed on meeting the needs of various stakeholders.
Design, Planning, and Data Collection Our evaluation approach begins with a process of iterative collaboration to understand the client's research objective and is grounded in the flexibly to develop a program-specific approach to our client's needs. We excel in designing rigorous studies and frameworks, using both experimental and quasi-experimental methods that leverage the data our clients already collect and gathering any new information to address project needs. Most importantly, MSG helps our clients to use data by collaboratively exploring what information has been collected, how to validate and discuss early findings, how to conduct new rigorous analyses based on emerging insights and collaboration, and how to share and use findings to guide program success and future evaluation priorities.
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MSG to Evaluate NSF’s SaTC Program
MSG, as a subcontractor to the Savan Group, serves as the technical lead for the design and execute an evaluation of NSF’s Secure and Trustworthy Cyberspace (SaTC) grant program portfolio. MSG paired reviews of extant... read full article
Monday, October 03, 2016
MSG to Evaluate USDA’s SNAP Education Program
MSG is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service to examine the costs, reach, and performance of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) initiative. MSG (as... read full article
Monday, April 04, 2016
MSG to Evaluate USDA SNAP Authorized Retailers Processes and Systems
MSG is working with the U.S Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Services to study services, fees, and business practices of vendors of EBT card processing equipment and services to SNAP authorized retailers... read full article
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