Strategic Research Institute

How our team can help with data-driven insights

The St. Norbert College Strategic Research Institute (SRI) is one of the Midwest’s most respected sources of data-driven insights. The SRI provides the means to make strategically sound decisions for organizations of all kinds such as businesses, nonprofits, educational institutions and governments throughout the region and beyond.

Whether you’re looking to assess public opinion, evaluate attitudes toward a brand, obtain industry insights, gauge employee sentiment, measure customer satisfaction or ascertain community needs — the SRI can provide plentiful, reliable, actionable data and analyses.

We bring individualized research solutions that are aligned with best practices to bear on every challenge. We also bring a deep commitment to St. Norbert College’s core value of communio.

 Our research services

The Strategic Research Institute has an extensive list of services as well as satisfied clients. We provide a wide array of social science research services, scalable to projects of any size. Our primary research competencies include:

We conduct online, paper and phone surveys. In fact, some projects include a mix of all three. SRI is able to manage every step in the process including locating potential respondents. Survey projects often include both quantitative and qualitative data collection. 

We coordinate virtual interviews and focus groups. Using these qualitative methods, SRI can provide in-depth answers to complex questions.

When a client has data already available, we can analyze it and provide results in an easy-to-understand and compelling format. We handle any statistical challenge ranging from basic descriptions to complex models, and can analyze qualitative data through manual or technology-facilitated processes.
One of the unique strengths of the Strategic Research Institute is our ability to draw on the intellectual resources of St. Norbert College’s faculty. Supplementing Valerie Kretz’s (communication and media studies) expertise and the SRI’s collective research experience, we can tap into deep knowledge across a spectrum of academic disciplines, from economics and sociology to marketing and more.
Valerie Kretz is on the team of SNC's Strategic Research Institute
Sample projects

The SRI has provided high-quality research for more than 40 years. This is just a sampling of projects we've completed recently: 

  • Green Bay Botanical Gardens Community Survey
  • NEW Water Employee Engagement Survey
  • Focus on Energy Participant Follow Up Interviews
  • Town of Grand Chute Road Funding Options Survey
  • Surgical Associates of Wisconsin Brand Perceptions Survey
  • City of Milwaukee Police Satisfaction Study
  • Wisconsin and Utah Public High School Outcomes Surveys
Pat Hopkins, Principal/President of Imaginasium

“When my colleagues first proposed this project to me, I didn't hesitate to say that we should work with the Strategic Research Institute; but frankly, I did so solely on the strength of your reputation. Now that I've had the opportunity to work with you, I can say that your reputation is fully justified.”

Fred Petillo, Market Research Manager at State Bar of Wisconsin
 Our process

The SRI uses rigorous social scientific methods to address the specific information needs of each client. Our process is collaborative, relying on client input to shape each professionally designed project. We will listen to the client’s needs, articulate clear goals, design appropriate quantitative and/or qualitative methods, gather data, analyze the results, and provide insightful interpretations.

If you'd like to discuss a potential project, contact us.
Fred Petillo, Market Research Manager at State Bar of Wisconsin

"St. Norbert College’s Strategic Research Institute has significantly contributed to our understanding of the impact of Industry 4.0 on manufacturing practices and workforce needs within the NEW Manufacturing Alliance's region. The research team is very easy to work with and provided great insight in developing the survey instrument. The results were delivered within a timely manner with a focus on accurate and clear results. I have no hesitation in recommending St. Norbert College’s Strategic Research Institute to organizations seeking informed, data-driven perspectives on industry related studies."

Ann Franz, Executive Director at NEW Manufacturing Alliance