ISRC Current Studies
The following are studies that the Iowa Social Science Research Center is currently supporting:
Johnson County Direct Assistance Program Evaluation Survey
Primary Investigator
David Frisvold
Who to Contact with Questions
Cassidy Branch: cassidy-branch@uiowa.edu
Description of Project
Johnson County's Direct Assistance Program provides randomly selected eligible applicants/residents with direct payments. This project will evaluate the influence of the cash assistance on a variety of outcomes. More information can be found at: https://www.johnsoncountyiowa.gov/direct-assistance-program
2022 Collaborative Midterm Survey
Primary Investigator(s)
Julianna Pacheco and Caroline Tolbert
Who to Contact with Questions
julianna-pacheco@uiowa.edu or caroline-tolbert@uiowa.edu
Description of Project
The Cornell Center for Social Sciences is collaborating with a University of Iowa team, among others, to conduct a 2022 Collaborative Midterm Survey. The survey will 1) help understand the 2022 Midterm Election, 2) expand understanding of key segments of the electorate, 3) promote innovative, collaborative, and cost-effective survey strategies, 4) develop a transparent, data-driven, and inclusive framework that allows direct assessment of the advantages and tradeoffs of various survey methods, and 5) facilitate rapid and public dissemination of results.
Algorithms in Radicalization
Primary Investigator
Brian Ekdale, PhD
Who to Contact with Questions
Brian Ekdale: brian-ekdale@uiowa.edu
Description of Project
The purpose of the study is to understand the relationship between technology and changing political viewpoints over time. The research study involves three components, conducted in partnership with YouGov and the Iowa Social Science Research Center: a two-wave survey, Pulse data collection, and follow-up interviews.
Project or PI/Contact's Website
https://journalism.uiowa.edu/people/brian-ekdale
Polk County Mental Health & Disability Services Annual Assessment (2023)
Primary Investigator
Tessa Heeren, MSW
Who to Contact with Questions
Tessa Heeren: tessa-heeren@uiowa.edu
Description of Project
For more than a decade, Polk County Health Services (now known as "Polk County Mental Health and Disability Services" or PCMHDS) has enlisted a third-party research team at the University of Iowa to collect and analyze data from program participants and their family members or other concerned others. The Iowa Social Science Research Center (ISRC) provides the telephone and in-person data collection services for this annual assessment. Survey respondents answer questions about their experiences and the success of their services. The resultant data is shared with both PCMHDS and the service provider to evaluate provider performance, determine future support, and detect inadequacies, if any exist. Information attained is confidential and helps to inform agency decision-making and funding.
Mapping Comprehension of ADAS across Different Driving and Road User Populations
Primary Investigator
Cher Carney
Who to Contact with Questions
Justin Mason: justin-mason@uiowa.edu
Description of Project
This project will survey drivers and other road users regarding their knowledge of different vehicle technologies, providing significant insight into how understanding varies across populations, defined by age, gender, and individual differences. This research will also identify those groups of individuals who are lacking the necessary understanding but who feel confident, nonetheless. The outcomes of this research will (1) inform the development of education and training approaches for specific populations, and (2) characterize those individuals with miscalibrated confidence in their understanding of advance vehicle technologies.
Project or PI/Contact's Website
https://nads.uiowa.edu/our-research/human-factors-research
Hawkeye Poll - Spring 2022
Primary Investigator
Frederick J. Boehmke
Who to Contact with Questions
Nicholas Martini: nicholas-martini@uiowa.edu
Description of Project
The Hawkeye Poll is part of the teaching/learning mission of the University, as well as a rigorously designed public opinion polling operation. The Hawkeye Poll provides a platform for academic research on political and public policy topics, including elections, policy issues, and attitudes and beliefs about Iowa and the national political/public policy environment. UI students get experience in survey research that connects to their academic work as they serve as trained callers and work with results in their classes.
The Hawkeye Poll will be conducted using a web-based survey.
Project or PI/Contact's Website
http://ppc.uiowa.edu/isrc/services/hawkeye-poll
https://clas.uiowa.edu/polisci/research/hawkeye-poll