Research design

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Blueroof Technologies received a grant from an anonymous foundation to develop a business plan around their proposed start-up companies. Olszak analyzed regional demographic information to deduce the number of seniors that move to a new home each year, and created estimates for Blueroof’s projected market share. We conducted surveys with real estate and development professionals to assess the market for smart homes. Finally, Olszak conducted focus groups with both industry professionals and seniors to gauge the level of interest The resulting data analysis helped us create five-year financial projections for the organization and supported the founders’ case within the business plan.

PA DUI received a grant from Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to raise awareness of underage drinking for parents and adults in Pennsylvania. PA DUI conducted a Public Service Announcement campaign for six communities, providing technical assistance that included an e-newsletter, a tragedy plan, an activity guide and the option to create local PSA campaigns. The Association engaged Olszak to design and implement a research effort to evaluate the outcomes of the local PSA campaigns which involved gathering and analyzing data using a two-pronged research design:

1. Focus groups to obtain feedback from parents and students concerning the proposed campaign media and messages.
2. A pre-post survey effort to obtain measurements on attitudes, behavior and environmental factors before and after the campaign. Surveys in both paper and online formats were administered to parents and students in the targeted areas.

Olszak completed a report on findings and made recommendations for future outreach activities.

CommuteInfo serves as a regional clearinghouse of information on commuting alternatives for both commuters and employers. The CommuteInfo Outreach and Partner Identification Project aims to increase the number of commuters in southwestern Pennsylvania who choose a ridesharing option to work and/or school and to increase the program’s reach to areas beyond the City of Pittsburgh. Olszak assisted CommuteInfo by identifying employers and commuter concentrations within targeted geographic areas and determining employers’ perceptions of their workforce and transportation needs; distributing surveys and/or conducting focus groups for employers and commuters to gauge perceptions about CommuteInfo’s print educational materials and website; and identifying criteria that SPC could use to determine appropriate partners for conducting outreach efforts.

Conducted market research to gauge present and future demand for products aim to enhance the quality of life for persons with hearing disabilities. The research included analysis of demographic trends to estimate need and demand, review of industry trends and the analysis of customer satisfaction survey data.

Olszak conducted market research to assess the potential for increased sales of CNF’s flagship literary magazine, Creative Nonfiction. Olszak surveyed past and existing subscribers and conducted focus groups to determine their impressions of all facets of the magazine. We also researched potential magazine distributors to expand CNF’s reach into additional outlets on a national level. The final product was a two-year marketing plan with detailed recommendations for reaching new markets, increasing the subscriber retention rate, and raising the magazine’s profile.

CgI was founded to provide support to those in caregiving professions at risk for stress disorders and compassion fatigue. Olszak conducted surveys of caregivers and interviews with caregiver employers to gauge the demand for support programs. We identified outcome measurements and methods for quantitatively and qualitatively gauging the short- and long-term success of CgI’s workshops and other programs. Demographic and labor force information was used to estimate need and demand populations for these services.