Information Technology

Leading-Edge Data Collection | Web-Based Applications |
Advanced Blaise Implementations | Data Warehousing | Systems Development |
Systems and Data Quality Control

Leading-Edge Data Collection

Mathematica applies leading-edge technology to all its survey and data collection processes. The centerpiece of our approach is the Blaise™ system from Statistics Netherlands, which supports computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI), computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI), and web surveys in a seamless fashion. To complement Blaise and maximize response rates in today's challenging data collection and survey environment, our proprietary MPR Sample Management System (SMS) software links Blaise to more traditional forms-based and paper-based collection mechanisms and to other functions. These functions include locating respondents, managing respondent payments and incentives, providing initial contact and nonresponse followup, and more. A field survey component manages the assignment of cases to the field for CAPI administration as a stand-alone survey or in conjunction with a CATI survey. This software is implemented with Microsoft’s .Net technology. It supports both browser-based and smart client access across the web as well as interoperability with Unix-based systems.

Web-Based Applications

Mathematica specializes in web-based applications that implement complex data collection operations across multiple sites. In one large project, we have provided eight grantees at locations throughout the country with a tool that allows them to manage their site's research sample and field all data collection instruments through the web-based system. (See our demo site at showcase.mathematica-mpr.com/DEMOSAEP). In other projects, we have provided web-based case management systems to support the operation of local offices providing federally funded employment services for older workers and marriage support services for low-income couples with newborn children. These projects address operational requirements in complex settings, while streamlining the process of collecting and managing large amounts of data. We have also implemented many more-tailored systems for specialized populations. Most of these projects have used a traditional browser-based approach to data collection. We specialize in the newly emerging technology of smart client applications, where a full-featured Windows application can allow users to communicate with a central database via Web Services—the cross-platform standard for back-end web-based data processing. In a broad range of projects, Mathematica maximizes the use of current web technology to collect data in any setting with a decentralized set of data providers.

Advanced Blaise™ Implementations

The Blaise™ system is one of the world’s leading off-the-shelf data collection tools. Mathematica has pioneered the use of Blaise in multimode data collection efforts that are increasingly required to achieve high response rates in today’s challenging survey environment. By taking full advantage of Blaise capabilities, we can conduct a wide variety of surveys as single- or multimode CATI, web, CAPI, or paper data collection efforts. The Blaise™ web interface is designed to work simply and efficiently for respondents in the widest possible variety of browsers and browser versions, screen resolutions, and connection speeds, and within the most restrictive client security settings and government accessibility requirements. The resulting interface is suitable for both self-administered and interviewer-administered surveys.

For demanding interviewer-driven data collection—for example, where the instrument is long and/or complex, requires high speed execution, applies complex edits during data collection, follows up missing or critical items from web or paper collection, or has special navigational needs—the powerful Blaise™ for Windows™ interface, with all its interviewer capabilities and 11 different methods of navigation, is often the better solution. Mathematica is an industry leader in rendering multimode instruments in both browser and Windows interfaces that operate simultaneously on a single database, while managing mode-specific differences, all within a single survey management scheme, and doing so cost effectively.

Because multimode surveys are inherently more challenging to manage, Mathematica has invested heavily in in-house survey management tools to maximize response rates within budgets. Our toolbox includes MPR Call Scheduler (which enhances the Blaise™ call scheduler by scheduling in a multimode setting), MPR Supervisory Review, and MPR Focus and Target (which sets scheduler priorities on the basis of operational experience).

Data Warehousing

Mathematica specializes in creating and maintaining complex data sets through a data warehousing approach. Where appropriate, we make these data sets available as public or restricted use files available on request to authorized users. Our warehousing, or “data center,” approach makes these data sets available with web or other technology that maximizes ease of use and access through comprehensive documentation and user-friendly download capabilities. (See our site at www.CensuSearch.com for an example of our web-based data warehousing and data dissemination capabilities.)

For the National Science Foundation, we provide support for the Scientists and Engineers Statistical Data System (SESTAT), containing over 500,000 microdata records that have been collected in three national surveys conducted every two years since 1993. For the U.S. Department of Defense, we support a website displaying results for an annual worldwide mail survey of more than 180,000 adults eligible for military health care.

Systems Development

Mathematica applies the systems development life-cycle approach to both in-house and external initiatives. Our flexible approach ensures that we can meet the exceedingly tight time frames required by many of our projects. Systems implemented for external use pass rigorous in-house tests for robustness and ease of use, and clients receive complete documentation and on-site training. A complete range of Microsoft .Net technologies—including ASP .Net, C#, VB .Net, SQL Server, Web Services, and smart client technologies—supports implementation of our applications. Interoperability with Unix-based systems is provided where appropriate.

Systems and Data Quality Control

In a broad range of projects, Mathematica works with federal government clients to help enhance and ensure the quality of administrative data sources and support systems. We provide quality control auditing, monitoring, benchmarking, performance measurement, root cause analysis, independent verification and validation, and outsourcing assistance in support of large and small systems development efforts carried out by the government or third-party contractors. We apply our extensive program evaluation expertise and subject matter knowledge to evaluating systems that include Medicare and Medicaid data processing for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Employee Retirement Income Security Act compliance for the Employee Benefits and Security Administration in the U.S. Department of Labor, and Government Performance Results Act compliance for the Employment & Training Administration in the U.S. Department of Labor.

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