Explore SSRI’s Fall 2026 workshop series, designed to help researchers build practical skills in research design, data collection, evaluation, and analysis. Workshops are open to Duke faculty, graduate students, undergraduate students, staff, and others interested in social science research.
Introduction to Survey Design
September 25, 2026 | 12:00–2:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Gross Hall 230C, and Zoom: https://duke.zoom.us/j/91315896285
New to conducting surveys? This workshop provides a practical introduction to the fundamentals of survey design. Participants will learn how to determine when a survey is an appropriate research tool, develop effective survey questions, assess trade-offs in data quality, and identify potential sources of error in sampling and surveying respondents.
The session is also useful for researchers who need to evaluate survey proposals or projects conducted by external vendors.
Topics include:
- Determining when surveys are appropriate for a research question
- Strategies for writing effective survey questions
- Understanding and managing trade-offs in data quality
- Identifying sources of error in sampling and survey administration
- Evaluating survey proposals and approaches
Register for Introduction to Survey Design →
Evaluation for Improvement and Impact
October 2, 2026 | 9:00–11:30 a.m.
LOCATION: Zoom https://duke.zoom.us/j/99660590325
How can evaluation help organizations and programs understand what is working—and where there is room for improvement? This workshop provides an overview of program evaluation and evaluation research, including how evaluation can inform decision-making and programmatic change.
Participants will explore different types of evaluation and practical approaches to designing and implementing an evaluation.
Topics include:
- When and why to engage in evaluation
- Different types of evaluation
- Developing logic models
- Identifying data sources and collection methods
- Analysis and reporting
- Using evaluation findings to guide programmatic change
- Practical tips for implementing feasible and effective evaluations
This workshop is intended for faculty, graduate students, undergraduates, and others interested in evaluation and partnered or applied research. It is also appropriate for individuals working with initiatives or organizations seeking to use evaluation to inform decision-making.
Co-sponsored by the Clinical and Translational Science Institute.
Register for Evaluation for Improvement and Impact →
Qualitative Data Collection
October 9, 2026 | 9:00–11:00 a.m.
LOCATION: Zoom https://duke.zoom.us/j/95423397959
This introductory workshop provides an overview of qualitative research methods and helps participants identify the approaches best suited to different research questions and projects.
Participants will explore the strengths and limitations of common qualitative methods, as well as practical considerations for collecting, managing, and preparing qualitative data for analysis.
Methods covered include:
- In-depth interviews
- Focus groups
- Archival analysis
- Participant observation
The workshop will also address how to execute qualitative data collection effectively, consider reliability and validity, manage data for analysis, and use NVivo to support data management and preparation for analysis.
Register for Qualitative Data Collection →
Community-Engaged and Community-Partnered Research
October 30, 2026 | 9:30–11:00 a.m.
LOCATION: Zoom https://duke.zoom.us/j/95423397959
Community-engaged and community-partnered research can help ensure that research is grounded in context and positioned to contribute to meaningful social change. At the same time, building effective research partnerships with communities can be complex.
This workshop introduces key concepts and approaches to community-engaged research, including research-practice partnerships. Participants will consider why these approaches matter, how they can benefit both researchers and communities, and recommendations for putting best practices into action.
Topics include:
- Defining community-engaged and community-partnered research
- Understanding related approaches and terminology
- The value of research partnerships for researchers and communities
- Common challenges in community-engaged research
- Recommendations and best practices for building effective partnerships
Register for Community-Engaged and Community-Partnered Research →
Survey Design in Qualtrics
November 6, 2026 | 12:00–2:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Gross Hall 230C, and Zoom https://duke.zoom.us/j/96002795924
Ready to build a survey in Qualtrics? This hands-on introduction provides a guide to using Qualtrics, a survey platform available at no cost to researchers across Duke’s campus and medical center.
Participants will learn how to navigate Qualtrics, create questionnaires, and access survey results. The workshop will also introduce more advanced features for designing and managing online surveys.
Topics include:
- Navigating the Qualtrics system
- Creating questionnaires
- Accessing and managing survey results
- Using display and skip logic
- Using embedded data
- Integrating Qualtrics with online recruitment platforms
- Additional tools for building and managing surveys