Institute for Social and Policy Research
The Institute for Social and Policy Research (ISPR) conducts and supports research to address regional challenges, bridging the gap between research and practice through collaboration, publication and evidence-based solutions.
The Institute for Social and Policy Research (ISPR) will plan, support and conduct social science and policy research related to the challenges confronting Northwest Indiana and beyond.
The Institute will assist those agencies, programs, and researchers whose goal is to address these challenges. The Institute will also disseminate knowledge using methods to shorten the gap between research and practice. Such strategies include the publication of research and assistance with intervention design, program development, and determining evidence-based practices.
- To engage in applied research, for example, program evaluation, and promote evidence-based policymaking
- To engage in basic (academic) research, for example, surveys
- To facilitate interdisciplinary, multi-method collaborative scholarship across departments and schools in the Purdue University Northwest community
- To stimulate the development of student research skills through various supported service learning and research activities
- To assist with the application of social science knowledge to social policy and organizational practices through various consultation activities
What We Do
The Institute supports the compilation of policy studies designed to inform various stakeholder groups at a regional and national level. These studies draw upon the Institute’s interdisciplinary collaborators to address the complex and interdependent nature of policy issues.
Program evaluation in areas such as human and social services is closely tied to policy studies. The Institute provides the capacity to assess the effectiveness of initiatives through its interdisciplinary community of scholars. Program evaluation activities will also provide a context in which graduate students may learn about the effectiveness of interventions.
The Institute’s program development activities are closely connected to policy study, program evaluation, and consultation services. Institute scholars will provide expertise in designing and implementing social interventions.
The Institute’s activities will also provide an environment for undergraduate and graduate students to engage in activities designed to prepare them for their professions. As part of ongoing evaluation and policy study activities, students can learn more about policy issues related to their chosen disciplines.
The Institute provides an invaluable forum to support public education/dissemination activities. This capacity complements the Institute’s policy study activities by creating public awareness of research findings. It will also allow the Institute to ensure its relevance in policymaking. The Institute will also provide a neutral forum for discussions of research and policy challenges.
- Overall research designs
- Construction of instruments (e.g., satisfaction or evaluation surveys)
- Collection and analysis of data
- Training on research methodology
- Consulting on grant proposals
- Preparation of reports
- Translate technical research language
History of the Institute
The Institute for Social and Policy Research (ISPR) was created in 2006 to fill the need for an established interdisciplinary research entity at Purdue University Northwest (then Purdue University Calumet). Through social science and policy analysis methods, the Institute dedicates its efforts to finding solutions to local, regional, and national problems.
The Institute combined existing university resources within one organizational structure, which resulted in increased impact through the utilization of shared knowledge and resources.