Social Impact Research Services – Measuring Change in Communities That Matter

Measure what matters. Demonstrate real change. Inform smarter decisions.

At Research Bureau we design, implement, and communicate rigorous social impact research that shows whether programming is working, why it’s working, and how it can be improved. We combine robust quantitative methods, deep qualitative insight, and practical dissemination to help funders, NGOs, social enterprises, and government bodies turn evidence into better outcomes for communities.

Contact us for a tailored quote — share your project details through the contact form, click the WhatsApp icon, or email [email protected].

Why measure social impact?

Funders and communities demand accountability, but measurement is about more than compliance. High-quality impact research:

Proves whether interventions produce meaningful outcomes.
Explains the mechanisms and contextual factors driving results.
Improves program design through evidence-based learning.
Attracts funding by demonstrating results and return on investment.
Protects communities by identifying harm and unintended consequences early.

When measurement focuses on relevance, rigor, and respect, it becomes a powerful engine for continuous improvement — not just evaluation after the fact.

Who we work with

We partner with organizations that want credible, usable evidence:

NGOs and community-based organizations implementing social programs.
Donor agencies and foundations assessing grant portfolios.
Corporate social investment (CSI) teams and social enterprises measuring impact.
Local and national government departments designing and scaling interventions.
Research consortia and universities requiring fieldwork or technical support.

If your project affects communities — livelihoods, education, safety, governance, or environment — we can design a measurement approach that fits your scale and goals.

Our service offering (Social Research and Community Studies)

We offer end-to-end research services or modular support you can plug into your team:

Baseline, midline, and endline studies
Impact evaluations (experimental and quasi-experimental designs)
Theory of Change development and validation
Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) system design
Mixed-methods program evaluations
Participatory action research and community-led evaluation
Outcome harvesting and Most Significant Change
Cost-effectiveness and Social Return on Investment (SROI) analyses
Administrative and secondary data analysis
Digital and geospatial data collection
Data visualization and interactive dashboards
Capacity building, training, and mentoring for M&E teams
Ethics, data protection (POPIA) and safeguarding advisory

Each engagement includes a clear scope, a quality-assured methodology, and tailored dissemination products that meet stakeholder needs.

How we design impact studies — our methodological approach

We choose methods to fit your question, context, and resources. Below is a brief guide to common approaches and when they’re appropriate.

Experimental and quasi-experimental methods

Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs): Best when you can randomise recipients or rollout. Offers strong causal inference.
Difference-in-differences (DiD): Useful when you have repeated measures for treated and comparison groups.
Propensity Score Matching (PSM): Helps construct comparison groups when randomisation isn’t possible.
Regression Discontinuity (RD): Applicable when eligibility is defined by a cutoff score or index.

When to choose: high-stakes questions about causality, scaling decisions, and donor accountability.

Contribution and realist approaches

Contribution Analysis: Explores the plausible contribution of an intervention within a complex context.
Realist Evaluation: Focuses on the formula “what works, for whom, in what circumstances, and why.”

When to choose: complex, multi-component programs where context and mechanisms matter more than strict counterfactuals.

Participatory and qualitative approaches

Participatory Action Research: Engages community members as co-researchers to increase ownership and relevance.
Most Significant Change / Outcome Harvesting: Captures narrative evidence of change and unexpected outcomes.
Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) & Key Informant Interviews (KIIs): Deep understanding of perceptions, barriers and enablers.

When to choose: when community voice, empowerment, and context-driven learning are priorities.

Mixed-methods designs

We routinely combine quantitative effect estimates with qualitative explanation to triangulate findings and increase credibility.

Sequential explanatory design: Quantitative results first, qualitative exploration second.
Concurrent triangulation: Collect both types simultaneously for cross-validation.

When to choose: nearly all applied social impact studies benefit from mixed methods.

Sampling, measurement and quality assurance

Accurate measurement depends on strong sampling and robust indicator design. We provide:

Power and sample size calculations to ensure your study can detect meaningful change.
Sampling strategies (cluster, stratified, multi-stage) appropriate to program delivery and logistics.
Indicator selection aligned to outcomes, theory of change, and stakeholder priorities.
Validity and reliability checks for survey instruments and qualitative protocols.
Data quality assurance with real-time monitoring, back-checks, and enumerator training.

Our quality assurance includes audit trails, codebooks, pretests/pilots, and independent statistical review.

Measurement frameworks and indicators

Selecting the right indicators matters. Below is an example alignment of outcome domains with sample indicators and typical data sources.

Outcome Domain	Example Indicators	Typical Data Sources
Economic empowerment	% of participants with increased income; job placement rate	Household surveys, employer records
Education & skills	School attendance rate; literacy scores; certification completion	School records, standardized tests
Social cohesion & safety	Perceived trust in neighbors; incidents of interpersonal violence (self-report)	Household surveys, FGDs, community reporting systems
Governance & participation	Voter turnout, attendance at community meetings	Administrative data, observation
Environment & resilience	Adoption of climate-smart practices; household water access	Remote sensing, household survey, GPS

We help you translate program objectives into measurable, defensible indicators that support learning and decision-making.

Data collection tools and technology

We use modern tools to collect high-quality data quickly and securely:

Electronic data capture (CAPI, ODK, SurveyCTO)
Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) for remote follow-up
SMS and IVR for frequent monitoring
Mobile ethnography and multimedia for richer qualitative data
Remote sensing and GIS for environmental and spatial analysis
Administrative data linkage where permissions exist
Dashboarding tools (Power BI, Tableau, custom web dashboards)

All digital collection is designed with data protection and participant safety in mind.

Analysis and interpretation — turning data into decisions

Our analysis delivers actionable insight, not just statistics on a page. Typical analysis components include:

Descriptive statistics and trend analysis to show the scale and direction of change.
Causal inference methods where appropriate (e.g., intent-to-treat, DiD).
Subgroup and heterogeneity analysis to reveal who benefits most or is left behind.
Cost-effectiveness and SROI to translate outcomes into economic terms.
Qualitative thematic analysis and mixed-methods integration for a fuller explanation.
Sensitivity and robustness checks to test validity.

We present results with clarity: executive summaries, visual dashboards, and practical recommendations you can act on.

Deliverables — what you will receive

A typical project delivers a suite of outputs tailored to stakeholders:

Final research report with executive summary and recommendations.
Data files (cleaned), codebooks, and analysis scripts for transparency.
Interactive dashboard and visualizations for ongoing monitoring.
Policy brief or funder-ready summary document.
Community-facing briefs and feedback sessions for accountability.
Training materials and handover sessions for local teams.

Deliverables are owned by you, with data-sharing and confidentiality agreements agreed up front.

Ethics, safeguarding and data protection

We prioritize the dignity and safety of participants. Our practice includes:

Informed consent procedures and plain-language information sheets.
Safeguarding protocols for vulnerable participants (referral pathways, trained enumerators).
Data protection compliant with POPIA (Protection of Personal Information Act, South Africa) and international good practice.
Anonymisation and secure storage of sensitive data.
Community engagement and local approvals to ensure cultural appropriateness and legitimacy.

Ethical review and approvals can be managed by us or coordinated with institutional review boards as required.

Typical project timelines and phases

Below is a typical project timeline for a medium-sized impact evaluation. Timelines vary by scope, geography, and method.

Phase	Key Activities	Indicative Duration
Design	Theory of Change, methodology, sample size, data tools	3–6 weeks
Preparation	Instrument development, ethics, enumerator training	2–4 weeks
Baseline data collection	Fieldwork, quality checks	4–8 weeks
Midline / Monitoring	Shorter follow-ups or panel rounds	Depends on schedule
Endline data collection	Fieldwork, verification	4–8 weeks
Analysis & reporting	Quant + qual analysis, dashboards, recommendations	4–8 weeks
Dissemination	Stakeholder workshops, community feedback	1–4 weeks

We align timelines to funder cycles and program rollout and provide a detailed Gantt chart as part of project proposals.

Pricing models & indicative cost drivers

We offer flexible commercial arrangements and provide transparent estimates in proposals. Cost drivers include:

Methodology (RCTs and large quantitative surveys cost more)
Sample size and geographic coverage
Number and complexity of data collection rounds
Use of specialized tools (remote sensing, biometrics not provided)
Translation and transcription needs
Data security and storage requirements
Dissemination and capacity building scope

Indicative pricing (for planning only) in South African Rand (ZAR):

Small baseline or rapid assessment: ZAR 70,000 – 250,000
Medium mixed-methods evaluation: ZAR 250,000 – 900,000
Large impact evaluation (multi-site, quasi/experimental): ZAR 900,000 – 3,500,000+

Case studies — examples of our work (anonymised)

Below are anonymised, illustrative examples to show the range and depth of our practice.

Case study 1 — Youth employment program (national NGO)

Method: Quasi-experimental DiD with matched comparison; qualitative FGDs.
Outputs: Baseline and endline surveys (n=3,200); contribution analysis; program redesign recommendations.
Key learning: Short vocational training increased employability scores but required stronger employer engagement to convert skills into jobs.

Case study 2 — Water access & community governance (local government)

Method: Mixed-methods evaluation; participatory community mapping; GIS analysis.
Outputs: Dashboard integrating household survey and spatial data; community validation workshops.
Key learning: Spatial analysis revealed service gaps not visible from administrative records, guiding targeted investments.

Case study 3 — Social enterprise pilots (corporate funder)

Method: RCT on two pilot sites; SROI estimation.
Outputs: Rigorous impact estimates, cost per outcome, investor report.
Key learning: Pilot scaling required adaptation for rural contexts and different supply chain constraints.

These examples are indicative and can be expanded into detailed references on request.

Why choose Research Bureau?

We blend technical rigor with practical orientation:

Experienced team: Senior social researchers, statisticians, qualitative specialists, and field managers with track records across Africa.
Contextual knowledge: Local presence and cultural competency to work respectfully with communities.
Methodological integrity: Transparent methods, reproducible code, and robust QA.
Action-focused reporting: Clear recommendations, tools for decision-making, and stakeholder-ready products.
Data security: POPIA-aligned processes and secure storage for sensitive data.

Our aim is to produce evidence that can be used — not just archived.

Process — how we work with you

We follow a predictable, collaborative workflow:

Initial consultation: Discuss goals, stakeholders, constraints. Share project details for a quote.
Proposal & scope: Detailed methodology, timeline, budget, and ethical plan.
Design & approvals: Finalise instruments, sampling, and obtain clearances.
Fieldwork & QA: Data collection with real-time quality checks.
Analysis & synthesis: Integrated quantitative and qualitative analysis.
Delivery & dissemination: Reports, dashboards, and stakeholder workshops.
Follow-up support: Capacity building, monitoring, or iterative research cycles.

We keep clients informed with regular progress updates and checkpoints.

Capacity building & sustainability

We design capacity building so your team can sustain measurement over time:

Training on survey design, data collection, and analysis.
M&E system setup, indicator libraries, and data management protocols.
Mentoring and handover of dashboards and code.
On-demand technical assistance and refresher training.

Our approach strengthens local systems rather than replacing them.

Common questions (FAQs)

Q: How soon can you start?
A: Typical lead time is 2–6 weeks depending on scope and ethics. Rapid assessments can begin sooner.

Q: What if randomisation or a comparison group isn’t possible?
A: We design credible quasi-experimental and contribution-based approaches tailored to constraints.

Q: Do you provide raw data and analysis code?
A: Yes — cleaned datasets, codebooks, and analysis scripts are provided as deliverables, subject to agreed data-sharing terms.

Q: How do you ensure ethical practice?
A: We implement informed consent, safeguarding, and POPIA-compliant data protection. We can coordinate ethics approvals where required.

Q: Can you integrate program M&E with donor reporting?
A: Yes — we map indicators to donor frameworks and deliver funder-ready reporting templates.

Tools and templates we provide

We supply practical tools to accelerate uptake:

Survey templates and translated instruments.
Indicator definitions and data dictionaries.
Sample size calculators and power analysis templates.
Dashboard templates and interactive visual components.
Reporting templates for executive summaries and policy briefs.

These are customised to your program and are part of handover packages.

Comparative methodology guide

Method	Strengths	Limitations	When to use
RCT	Strongest causal inference	Costly; requires randomisation feasibility	High-stakes impact questions
DiD	Uses pre/post and comparison groups	Requires parallel trends assumption	When baseline data available
PSM	Builds comparable groups from observables	Cannot account for unobservables	Non-randomised contexts
Contribution Analysis	Explores causal claims in complex systems	Less definitive causality	Complex programs with many influences
Participatory methods	Builds local ownership, surfaced context	Less generalisable	Community-led evaluation and empowerment

This comparison helps choose the right trade-offs for your context.

Indicators examples matrix

Program Goal	Output Indicators	Outcome Indicators	Data Source
Improve youth employability	Number trained; certification rate	Employment rate at 6/12 months; change in income	Training records; follow-up survey
Increase school attendance	Lesson delivery days; teacher training completed	Attendance rate; drop-out rate	School registers; household surveys
Strengthen community governance	Meetings held; participation metrics	Perceived accountability; service delivery satisfaction	Meeting minutes; FGDs; household survey

We tailor indicators to be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).

Reporting examples — what you’ll get

Executive summary (2–4 pages): key findings, topline metrics, and recommended next steps.
Technical report (30–150 pages): methodology, full results, and appendices.
Policy brief (2–4 pages): concise recommendations for decision-makers.
Community brief: accessible summaries translated into local languages.
Dashboard: interactive visual analytics for ongoing monitoring.

We prioritise formats required by your primary audiences.

Making your evidence persuasive — tips from our experts

Align indicators to decision points funders care about.
Report confidence intervals and uncertainty transparently.
Combine numbers with stories — mixed evidence convinces both donors and communities.
Share interim findings to enable adaptive programming.
Build stakeholder buy-in from design to dissemination.

These practices amplify the utility and credibility of your research.

Next steps — how to get started

Share project details through our contact form, or email [email protected] with: project goals, timeline, geographic scope, budget range, and any previous data.
Click the WhatsApp icon on the page for a quick consultation and initial scoping call.
We’ll respond with a short scoping note and outline of options and indicative budgets.

Users can share more details for us to give them a quote.

Safeguards and transparency

We commit to:

Clear data ownership and licensing in contracts.
Full disclosure of methods and limitations in reports.
Making anonymised data available when appropriate to foster replication.
Minimising respondent burden and ensuring benefits to communities.

Your research will meet international good practice and local statutory requirements.

Final call to action

If you need credible evidence that helps you learn, adapt, and demonstrate impact, Research Bureau can partner with you from design to dissemination. Send project details via the contact form, click the WhatsApp icon for immediate support, or email [email protected] to request a tailored proposal.

We look forward to measuring change in the communities that matter — with rigor, respect, and relevance.