Group Concept Mapping – CSI’s flagship methodology and unique technology assisted approach to capture, articulate and value the voices of those who can contribute to a solution. GCM’s simple rules allow extremely effective engagement for a “greater than the sum of its parts” results. It is time efficient, and adaptable to the group’s particular needs.
Expert Panels – We develop, manage, and facilitate expert panels for consensus decision-making, basing the panel work in relevant preparatory research.
Facilitated Discussions – We engage participants at each relevant level to foster deliberation and support cooperative discussion, creating a common perspective and enhancing understanding of the issues.
Focus Groups – Using accepted practices, we organize, manage, and facilitate focus groups through face-to-face and virtual means.
Individual Interviews – We construct and coordinate key informant interviews using customized protocols, both structured and semi-structured. We conduct interviews face to face or any other interactive modality that supports the project.
Workshop Facilitation and Management – We plan, manage, and facilitate meetings and workshops from 6 to 200 people. We include a full range of logistics planning and on-site coordination, and lead content and agenda planning and presentation.
World Cafés – We use world cafés, a systematic, layered construction of opinions and values through “round robin” knowledge building, world cafés lead to a 360-degree understanding of an issue, a context, and a decision path.
In evaluation, program planning, and theory development, CSI responds to research needs by recommending and combining tools like these:
Bibliometric Analysis – Using widely accepted analytical techniques, we evaluate the presence and impact of research output produced by scientific organizations and systems.
Data Abstraction – We develop and implement structured protocols for data abstraction from existing materials including CVs, NIH BioSketches, reports, and communication materials.
Database Development – We construct and annotate small research databases for efficient data management and produce analysis.
Literature Reviews – We design the protocol and conduct general and systematic literature reviews on topics related to the client’s needs, including public health and large-scale evaluation.
Logic Models – We craft logic models based on the theory of the program, adjusting to reflect and predict the anticipated changes in a research initiative.
Network Analysis – Using network analytics, we examine the apparent relational structures and surface deep structures between individuals and groups.
Survey Management – We design, create, and implement surveys via paper and online platforms.
Browse from a few of our case studies to see examples of our process in action.
CSI Bibliographies, are organized by topic or application.