Case Studies

Harvard University
Opinion Dynamics Corporation has established a relationship with Harvard University that has continued for nearly 20 years. Over this time, ODC has worked with Harvard University on a wide variety of projects, ranging from interviews with the community surrounding the university to surveys with students, faculty, and alumni. Projects have included general image studies, alumni giving studies, projects on behalf of the university bookstore and alumni magazine, and various consulting efforts. Harvard University has used the information gathered in the various studies to assist in planning efforts in each of these areas.

Lesley University
ODC was hired by Lesley University, a institution based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to assist in efforts to understand attitudes the university and its individual programs. The ultimate goal of the project was to generate a new image for the university that would assist in recruiting new students. ODC conducted surveys with potential undergraduate and graduate students, along with influencers, to identify the brand image of the college and measure the success of ongoing advertising.

Large, mid-western university
A large mid-western university wanted to improve development efforts. The first step to improving giving rates is to understand the perceptions of alumni toward the university and the prospect of giving additional money to the university. Through a telephone survey, we discovered that many potential donors were largely unaware of how alumni gifts were being used, and how their money may benefit the institution and its students. The study demonstrated alumni interest in having gifts be dedicated to scholarships. Based on this information, the university began on an effort to improve communication with its alumni and inform them of exactly how gifts are used to increase scholarships at the institution.

New England liberal arts college
A New England liberal arts college hired ODC to develop a better understanding of its alumni, to improve the image of the college among alumni, and increase donations. The goal was to use the research to support targeted communications efforts. The research demonstrated substantial differences between alumni based on demographic information, including the image of the college, priorities for future changes, and uses for the money from the alumni fund. Based on this information, the college began using more targeted communications efforts than it had prior to the study.

Contact: Chris Anderson - canderson@opiniondynamics.com