Education

Discovering the needs of washington D.C. parents

Untold Research partnered with Parents Amplifying Voices in Education (PAVE) to develop a survey designed to gauge the experiences of D.C. parents when engaging with D.C. schools. The survey explored parents’ awareness of and their child’s participation in various programs, like after-school programs and mental health care, experiences with COVID-19, and gaps in information or support. The collected data was dissected and analyzed to reveal important differences across various sub-audiences, such as students with special needs, families receiving government assistance, geographic location within the city, and others. The resulting report and customizable dashboard and will help policy makers, school administrators, and parent group leaders make informed decisions about how parents in Washington D.C. and their children can better be served.

EXPLORING challenges of d.c. schools

In partnership with the D.C. Policy Center, Untold Research conducted a series of listening meeting with parents, teachers, and high school students attending D.C. schools in order to understand what is working well and identify outstanding challenges. From getting to and from school safely to the quality of school infrastructures, the availability of ELL and IEP supports to how schools are evaluated, no subject remained unexplored from each perspective. The results informed the annual State of D.C. Schools 2021-22 report.

getting a pulse on adult learners

The Carlos Rosario Public Charter School in Washington D.C. invites adult students to better their professional and linguistic skills. With a student body representing over 40 countries, it is important to continually evaluate the students’ experience and their awareness of the programs and benefits offered by the school. Untold Research analyzed student survey data and conducted a series of focus groups to understand challenges, particularly those of students who are parents, working full time, and/or struggling with their academics, in order to deliver strategic results, identify ways to improve the student experience.

IDENTIFYING BARRIERS TO GIRLS EDUCATION IN EGYPT

To better understand the reasons girls throughout Egypt do not graduate from secondary school, go onto higher education, or matriculate to the work force, Untold Research conducted a series of in-depth interviews as well as a survey. The interviews were conducted with girls, mothers with daughters, and teachers across Egypt to identify barriers to and drivers of graduation from secondary school and determine future aspirations. To evaluate the prevalence of the issues uncovered in the one-on-one interviews, a survey of mothers of girls ages 12-18 was conducted throughout Egypt.

DCPS Principal Study

A mixed-method study was designed to explore principals’ thoughts and experiences with high school students graduating without actually satisfying the grade and attendance requirements. The survey explored the prevalence of pressures among DCPS principals to inflate or pad student records, feelings about the level of support provided by the Central Office, and thoughts about ways to improve current processes and practices across the District. The survey was followed up with in-depth interviews of principals at each grade level to understand their experiences and thoughts in greater detail.

talking with educators in latin america

In order to understand the type of training available to teachers and principals in Mexico, Peru and the Dominican Republic and to explore their past experience obtaining training to stay current in educational trends and methods, Untold Research conducted a series of cognitive and in-depth interviews.

Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR)

A HISTORICAL REVIEW OF THE UN’S PRIORITIZATION OF REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS IN THEIR COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN

At the request of the United Nation’s Population Fund (UNFPA), Untold Research reviewed 60+ years of reports from the Commission on the Status of Women to evaluate the prevalence of issues related to reproductive rights being prioritized and elevated to calls for action.

Access to reproductive health services in india during covid-19

Seeing the need, Untold Research spearheaded a research study to measure women’s access to a number of reproductive health services, from contraception to abortion, pre-and post-natal care to delivery. Utilizing a generous donation from MarketXcel, this online research shed much-needed light on the reproductive health crisis currently underway in India as well as women’s opinions on expanding current abortion laws.


MEASURING STATE-LEVEL LEGISLATORS’ KNOWLEDGE OF ABORTION LAWS

Untold Research conducted in-depth interviews, focus groups, and a survey to understand the gaps in knowledge among state-level legislators, both new and re-elected.


ABORTION IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Untold Research conducted a nationally-representative survey to uncover Dominicans’ opinion on legalizing abortion under certain circumstances, like rape, incest, or the life and health of the mother. 


Abortion in El Salvador

A nationally-representative survey among El Salvadorian voters to measure public opinion regarding the current ban on abortion.



Emergency contraception in Honduras

A series of ten focus groups and a nationally-representative survey among Hondurans exploring their knowledge, thoughts, and feelings on legal access and wide-spread availability of emergency contraception.



MENSTRUAL HYGIENE MANAGEMENT (MHM) IN INDONESIA

For UNICEF, Untold Research was charged with measuring attitudes, perceptions and behavior around MHM with junior high school students in Tangerang, Indonesia as well as the conditions of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) indicators in these schools. By conducting both a survey and a series of focus groups with students as well as in-depth interviews with teachers, administrators and health professionals who visit theses schools in a regular basis, a baseline understanding of the sentiments and conditions was established. This information informed UNICEF’s creation and deployment of an educational program, after which Untold Research conducted an endline study to measure the shifts in attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors of the same students and participants in the baseline assessment.



EXPLORING ABORTION BELIEFS in Honduras

Untold Research conducted eight focus groups across Honduras with individuals who either held no or neutral opinions on abortion. Discussions centered around beliefs when abortion should be legal, such as in the case of rape, fetal anomaly, or life and health of the mother. The information will be used to inform strategies and campaigns to educate and mobilize Hondurans towards legalizing abortion in the three exceptions.


HIV AWARENESS AND SAFE SEX PRACTICES in lesotho

To support Forcier Consulting’s important work in Lesotho, Untold Research analyzed the quantitative and qualitative data collected regarding the HIV epidemic and knowledge, attitudes, and practices surrounding condom use and other means of prevention. This report helped to inform Lesotho’s National Strategic Plan for HIV (NSP) 2019/2023 Social Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) Strategy.

Message testing

Intersection of Religion and Social Justice Issues

A series of virtual focus groups were conducted in three different regions of Latin America, Central America, Andean Region and Cono Sur among evangelical women 18+ who belong to the “flexible middle”. This flexible middle is defined as people who do not hold progressive or conservative ideas of social issues but are neutral or tend to lean one way or the other depending on the issues. The purpose of this qualitative study was to test messages geared to the flexible middle regarding social issues and its intersection with religion.

POLITICAL FIGURES IN LATIN AMERICA

This online survey tested text, images, and video messages in A/B formats to deliver a suite of effective messages and strategies for each target audience. The analysis and resulting recommendations provided key insights onto preferred delivery platforms by audience and informed future campaigns.

new constitution in chile

A total of eight virtual focus groups were conducted among adults in Chile from different regions in order to test messages regarding the adoption of a new constitution. Radio and social media messages were tested and refined for use in targeting undecided voters in Chile.

Seniors

Senior center in Washington D.C.

Conducted a visitor satisfaction survey to identify if the services and classes provided align with the needs and desires of the seniors; built a custom database to track the impact visitor engagement has on overall senior health.

DISTILLING DATA INTO STORIES

For AARP, Untold Research has taken their vast research library on people 50+ in the United States, and crafted easy-to-read fact sheets on a myriad of topics, from technology to travel, gaming to continued learning.

Member/Donor Research

Compensation and Benefits survey of Christian science nurses

To measure the salary, hourly wage, and daily rate of Christian Science Nurses across the United States, Canada, Switzerland, and the UK, Untold Research crafted, programmed, deployed, and analyzed an online survey of Christian Science nursing facilities. This survey also explored benefits provided to full-time and part-time nurses, like housing, health care, retirement, childcare, and others. This data was standardized for both currency and cost of living so comparisons across countries, regions, and cities are appropriate and meaningful.

Member census for the guild of music supervisors

For the Guild of Musician Supervisors (GMS), Untold Research conducted an extensive online survey of their active and lapsed members. This research worked to understand and explore members’ work history, health insurance and retirement plans, compensation and employment structures. This survey also helped understand the diversity of membership, desired benefits and offerings, and how GMS can better support their members.

DONOR IDENTIFICATION

For over three decades, Fondo Semillas, a Mexico based non-profit, has worked to advance women initiatives by mobilizing resources to support women focused organizations whose goal is to lift all women in order to bring equality and justice for a healthier society. With a desire to understand their donor base better and utilize data being collected, Fondo Semillas engaged Untold Research to conduct an online survey of past and present donors. The survey’s findings lead to identifying donor profiles, thus giving the organization a better understanding of how to communicate with different audiences to increase donor engagement.

Audience & Media Studies

Religion and Social Justice Issues in Latin America

Untold Research conducted virtual focus groups in Honduras and Chile with people who identify as religious, but are also ambivalent about social justice issues. The focus groups explored their opinions on abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, and aid to underserved populations, and other topics, to see how much, if at all, religion plays a role in their views and behavior. In addition to exploring these ideas, Untold Research used participatory techniques to message test video and print messages intended for social media use.

Identifying the “flexible middle” in colombia

Untold Research designed a three-phase research project for Bridges-Puentes for their Familias: Ahora initiative, to identify whose views may be persuadable among the Colombian population-based on progressive social topics. First, a representative survey was conducted (n=2,500) to understand where Colombians fall on a scale from traditional to progressive family constructs. Using advanced statistical analysis and modeling, a “moveable middle” profile was created, identifying individuals who are not at either extreme and demonstrate openness to change. Next, focus groups with individuals who share characteristics of this “flexible middle” were conducted to test messages and explore topics that are difficult for them to discuss with other family members. Third, a second survey (n=800) of people in Colombia in the “flexible middle” was conducted to validate what was found during the focus group findings and do further message testing.

Understanding the “flexible Middle” in Chile During a Constitutional Reform

Prior to Chile undergoing its most recent constitutional reform, Untold Research was commissioned by Bridges-Puentes to conduct a series of focus groups with people belonging to the “flexible middle,” a category created through statistical analysis of demographic, behavioral, and attitudinal data. During these focus groups, topics like women’s rights and LGBTQ+ rights were explored in order to understand participants’ thoughts and knowledge as well as gauge how they should be addressed during the constitutional reform. With the focus group insights, Bridges-Puentes constructed messages delivered to those participating in the constitutional reform process to advocate for the issues important to the movable middle and, thus, advance a progressive family initiative promoting equal rights for the LGBTQ community, women’s right to choose to have an abortion, and married women’s ability to control their own finances, among other issues.

Popularity of media sources in ethiopia

For the United States Embassy in Ethiopia, Untold Research conducted a nationally representative survey to understand which media sources Ethiopians access for news and information. The collected data was dissected by region and detailed strategic findings provided a clear look at how to best reach Ethiopians throughout the country.

Gauging Patient Knowledge, Fears, and Transparency into an Embryo’s Journey

RESOLVE supports women and families experiencing infertility. To close the knowledge gap and develop resources helpful to their target audiences, Untold Research conducted an online survey of women experiencing infertility and involved in IVF, be it merely exploring the option, currently undergoing it, or completed altogether. This study evaluated how much women knew and cared about each step of the IVF process, like embryo storage and specimen labeling. Select results were released as a part of National Infertility Awareness Week 2023.

 

In the News

Social & Behavior Change

PROGRAM EVALUATION OF IDP GIRLS IN SYRIA

Headquartered in Marrakech, Project Soar trains and equips local facilitators throughout Morocco, Uganda, and Syria on how to help adolescent girls realize their voice, value, body, rights, and path. While always adapted to local contexts, girls attend over 50 workshops which help them develop self-confidence, leadership skills, and advocacy strategies. To help standardize their data collection practices and measure their impact within each project site and across the organization, Untold Research developed a three-phase methodology. First, given the different cultural environment and challenges in Syria, it was important to understand the current context so the existing curriculum can be adapted to incorporate the reality of a Syrian adolescent girl’s experience. A series of focus groups took place in three locations in Northern Syria among adolescent IDP girls and parents of adolescent IDP girls to accomplish this goal. Second, a baseline/endline survey was developed for use in each of Project Soar’s sites. Third, during Project Soar’s pilot year in Syria, Untold Research analyzed the collected data and returned invaluable insights about the program’s impact as well as strategic recommendations for improving the curriculum for future sessions.

ENDLINE INDICATORS FOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM in Five COUNTRIES

Untold Research measured indicators for an endline evaluation for FORUT’s five-year development program cycle which was implemented in five countries: India, Malawi, Nepal, Sierra Leone, and Sri Lanka. The program targets adults, including parents of adolescent girls, in four key areas: alcohol and drug prevention, children’s rights, gender-based violence, and gender equality. In order to accomplish this, Untold Research reviewed the baseline questionnaire, facilitated translations when needed, designed sampling plans for each country, and coordinated with local research teams conducting data collection. The results from the endline will allow FORUT to measure change from baseline indicators and understand the programmatic impact in these selected countries.

Developing a Theory of Change and Baseline Evaluation for “Strengthening of CSOs and Youth Organizations to Improve Health and Nutrition Gains for Women, Children and Adolescents” Project

To help build a strong foundation before embarking on deploying the implementing partner’s services in 36 countries around the world, Untold Research led a series of workshops with the project team to codify the project goals, outcomes, outputs, activities, inputs, and assumptions, thus building a comprehensive theory of change. Once finalized, Untold Research developed the results framework and baseline questionnaire which was completed by all partnering CSOs and youth organizations. The resulting baseline data was analyzed, packaged, and presented to internal and external stakeholders.

LITERATURE REVIEW- MEASURING LIFE SKILLS AND RISK PROPENSITY AMONG AT RISK YOUTH

Untold Research conducted a methodological review of various evaluation tools aimed at measuring life skills and risk propensity among children and adolescents in order to develop an assessment that effectively measures the impact of an after-school program in vulnerable areas of Sinaloa, Mexico. Through this review, it was determined that the Youth Service Eligibility Interview is the most suitable tool for this evaluation. As a result, Untold Research provided recommendations on how to utilize this tool effectively.