Commissioning TRPI:   Surveys, Studies, and Independent Evaluations

TRPI has a 20-year history of conducting over 200 field-based research and evaluation projects on issues of concern to the Latino and minority communities.   TRPI's research is funded by corporate and foundation donors, who underwrite TRPI for its ability to conduct nonpartisan, unbiased research and disseminate its findings to an audience capable of bringing about change.

Capability

TRPI has a successful history of directing telephone, mail, and in-person opinion surveys at all geographic levels. In particular, TRPI has pioneered efforts to better conduct surveys with diverse Latino communities.   TRPI's ability to conduct focus groups with Spanish-dominant, bilingual, and English-dominant Latinos allows the Institute to create a comprehensive picture of diverse Latino populations across the nation

TRPI's evaluation capabilities are both qualitative and quantitative, and the Institute's in-house staff make use of a variety of data collection and analysis methods including field observations, site visits, in-person interviews, focus groups and surveys.

Each assessment is custom-tailored to the needs of the specific goals and expected outcomes of the programs being evaluated.  

The Institute's staff also has considerable experience and knowledge working with qualitative studies, and TRPI conducts focus groups on a regular basis as part of its research/evaluation methodology.    TRPI regularly explores country of origin and length of residency differences among Latino immigrants. This experience gives TRPI a greater ability and flexibility in designing appropriate studies, as well as analyzing and interpreting data to capture distinct ethnic group preferences and attitudes.

TRPI's reports reflect its expertise, with findings placed in the context of language and cultural issues, reflecting the unique perspectives of Latino populations.

Examples of Past Work

•  Pre- and post-election surveys of Latino registered voters in the 2000, 2002 and 2004 election cycles

•  A local survey of 600 Latino residents in Los Angeles to understand their attitudes toward insurance services and products

•  A regional survey of 929 employed residents on transportation, job opportunities and economic development in the Inland Empire (California)

•  A national survey of 2,426 Latino young adults and parents of Latino young adults intended to ascertain the importance of college financial aid information in the decision to go to college

•  A national survey of 1,400 renters and recent homebuyers of Mexican origin designed to examine the barriers to Latino homeownership

•  A regional survey of 400 African American and 400 Latino residents in New York City on the issue of nuclear energy and public safety

•  A statewide survey of 800 low-income parents of children which investigated minority participation in California's public insurance programs

•  A national survey of 300 Hispanic state legislators on their perceptions of the most pressing health issues facing their constituents.

Client Base

A representation of past and current TRPI clients include the Walt Disney Company, The Washington Post , The Coca-Cola Company, National Science Foundation, IBM Corporation, the Ford Foundation, the Sallie Mae Fund, Freddie Mac, Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF), National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO), National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL), the General Mills Foundation, The California Wellness Foundation, the United States Department of Commerce National Telecommunications Information Administration, Twentieth Century Fox and Don Bosco Technical Institute.