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NORC at the University Chicago

UCLA Data Center Technical Assistance

Two professionals looking at a laptop in an office
Supporting collection, imputation, weighting, analysis, and dissemination of data
  • Client
    University of California, Los Angeles
  • Dates
    January 2024 – January 2026

Problem

Government agencies, advocates, and other entities often lack the data and analytical skills to improve people's health.

Some groups are not well-represented in population health data due to their small sizes or difficulty reaching those groups. In addition, there are challenges representing some groups due to how data collection instruments and systems are designed and used to acquire data and the need to maintain data privacy. This contributes to data absenteeism and nonresponse bias, and in some groups being inadequately represented in data used to design and implement health initiatives. Further, some organizations using data may lack the necessary knowledge, expertise, or financial resources to analyze data or improve their data collection systems.

Funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, UCLA’s Data Center offers organizations a consortium of technical assistance providers with data collection, analysis, and statistical expertise to help them collect, analyze, report, and disseminate population health data to support improving health data, quality and—ultimately—people’s health outcomes. 

Solution

NORC provides resources and technical assistance grounded in evidence-based and rigorous data collection and analysis practices.

NORC offers the Center a range of resources and support that covers a range of topics including:

  • Qualitative and quantitative research design, implementation, analysis, and dissemination
  • Identifying, using, linking, and harmonizing a variety of different quantitative and qualitative data sources
  • Authentic community engagement and recruitment
  • Evaluation methods, probability and non-probability sampling and weighting
  • Innovative analysis, such as small-area estimation analyses, social media monitoring and analysis, and data modeling
  • AI content and thematic analysis and AI bias
  • Identifying and using public data sources (e.g., federal, state, and local data)
  • Communication and dissemination using data visualization techniques 

Result

NORC’s efforts will help organizations nationwide pursue more data-informed health efforts.  

To date, NORC has supported UCLA to expand its Data Center’s resource library and designed and conducted trainings and workshops on data collection, data analysis, imputation, and weighting to improve the data skills and capacity of scientists and practitioners across government agencies, advocates, and other entities.

Project Leads

"NORC is proud to be part of this important effort by the UCLA Data Center. By sharing our data knowledge, skills, and expertise around analytical tools and dissemination approaches, we contribute to improving health for all people."

Barbara Fernandez

Associate Director

"NORC is proud to be part of this important effort by the UCLA Data Center. By sharing our data knowledge, skills, and expertise around analytical tools and dissemination approaches, we contribute to improving health for all people."

Explore NORC Health Projects

Understanding CRNA Contributions to OB Care in Rural & Underserved Areas

Using mixed-methods evaluation and data linkage to study the experiences of certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs)

Client:

American Association of Nurse Anesthetists Foundation

Evaluation Training & Technical Assistance for the Department of Defense

Evaluation training, TA, and rigorous evaluations of DoD prevention of sexual assault and other harmful behaviors

Client:

Department of Defense

Improving Health Through Quality Improvement

Helping ensure health quality in Medicare and Medicaid services

Client:

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health
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