Welcome to Research Into Action
Research Into Action, Inc. is a social marketing and evaluation research firm. We specialize in evaluation research and market assessment design and analysis services in the fields of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and natural resource management.
Our name accurately describes what we do. We use a variety of proven theories and field-tested social/behavioral research and evaluation techniques to help our clients convert our research into effective actions.
Our clients include program administrators for utilities, government agencies, and social action organizations - suppliers and market innovators who rely on well designed research tools and methods in order to create, implement, analyze, and improve products and services that meet their customers' needs.
We're honored that Oregon Business Magazine named us the second greenest company to work for in Oregon in 2010.
Projects of Interest:
Process and Impact Evaluation of the National Theatre for Children "Energized Guyz" Program
Beginning in 2010, Research Into Action evaluated the National Theatre for Children's energy-education program, which was developed to educate elementary and middle-school students about energy-related concepts and issues. We conducted both a process and impact evaluation of the program, reviewing the program’s curriculum and delivery method for age-appropriateness and assessing its effectiveness in communicating energy-related concepts. We conducted both pre- and post-intervention grade-level-appropriate surveys of students in a sample of 30 schools in the Tennessee Valley Authority's territory to assess their understanding and retention of energy-related concepts and issues, attitudes and intentions toward saving energy, and self-reported energy-saving behaviors. We also interviewed the National Theatre for Children's staff about the development of the curriculum, the program's learning goals and objectives, guidance given to the playwright, and any curriculum pilot testing.
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Development of Enhanced Inspection Plans for Southern California Edison
In 2010, Research Into Action developed enhanced inspection plans for seven of Southern California Edison’s demand-side-management programs. We developed inspection plans for two new commissioning programs, two non-resource audit programs, and three workforce education and training programs for schools and universities. The purposes of the inspection plans were: to minimize the risk of overstated savings and other performance claims; provide quality assurance functions in program delivery; and collect data to assist in program monitoring and management, including program modification and redesign if indicated. Implementation of these plans provided more timely feedback to program and implementation staff about program performance than typically provided by process and impact evaluations. Research for plan development included interviews with program and evaluation staff; and reviews of program theory and logic models, program implementation plans, program contracts, and prior process and impact evaluations. The final inspection plans delineated quantifiable program metrics for program managers to monitor, balanced the burden of conducting enhanced inspections against the risks arising from non-inspection of those metrics, and recommended a schedule for the frequency of the enhanced inspections.
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