A Seamless Institutional Progression
Each step — from the Institute for Social Research (ISR), to the Survey Research Center (SRC), to the Survey Methodology Program (SMP), and finally to the Michigan Program of Survey and Data Science (MPSDS) — reflects the University of Michigan’s commitment to advancing the science of data and the art of survey research.
This evolution has created a unique educational environment where students learn from leading researchers, engage with real-world data challenges, and contribute to meaningful research that shapes policy and understanding across the globe.
The Institute for Social Research (ISR)
As the world’s largest academic social science survey and research organization, the Institute for Social Research (ISR) is a leader in developing and applying new social science methods and is committed to educating the next generation of social scientists.
ISR serves as a hub for interdisciplinary collaboration, housing several research centers that support both foundational research and graduate education.
The Survey Research Center (SRC)
Within ISR, the Survey Research Center (SRC) is the largest unit and a principal source of innovation in the design and execution of large-scale data collection projects. SRC provides MPSDS students with numerous and unique opportunities to learn from experience to supplement learning in the classroom and laboratory. SRC advances both the science and practice of survey research, offering expertise in:
- Sampling and statistical methodology
- Questionnaire design and testing
- Field operations and data collection
- Data processing and analysis
- Interdisciplinary research applications
SRC’s infrastructure and expertise support a wide range of research projects, many of which inform major national and international policies and programs.
The Survey Methodology Program (SMP)
To formalize training in the science of survey design and implementation, ISR and SRC established the Survey Methodology Program. This program served with the explicit aim of creating a multidisciplinary team to focus on research methodology.
SMP is structured to combine knowledge from relevant academic disciplines to advance both theory and practice. The mission of the SMP can be summarized as
- conducting research on survey methods,
- training students in survey methodology, and
- collaborating with Survey Research Operations (SRO) staff to develop innovative methods.
This program provides a foundation for what would become one of the most forward-looking training programs in the social sciences.
The Michigan Program in Survey and Data Science (MPSDS)
Today, the Michigan Program in Survey and Data Science (MPSDS) is the only degree-granting unit within ISR. MPSDS students learn from internationally renowned survey statisticians and methodologists (or both), who play an active role in the various research projects and courses taught within the program. MPSDS integrates the foundational principles of survey methodology with emerging tools from data science, statistics, computer science, and behavioral science.