Penn State Survey Research Center

The Survey Research Center at Penn State was proud to send four team members to the 2026 International Field Directors and Technologies Conference (IFD&TC), held April 19–21 in Providence, RI.

Our team shared innovative work across multiple sessions:

Amanda Ferrara presented “Are We Being Screened Out? Participants’ Use of Smart Call Screening Over Two Years of Data Collection within an RDD.”

Valerie Keppenne presented “Enhancing Distress Detection in Open-Ended Survey Responses: A Simulation Using Topic and Sentiment Analysis.”

Mindi Weidow presented “Leveraging In‑House Application Developers to Build a Custom CATI.”

Renee Kotch presented “Streamlining Screener Review for Open‑Link Web Surveys: A Practical Approach Using REDCap and Qualtrics to Enhance Data Quality and Participant Authenticity” and also facilitated the Interviewer 101 session.

We attend conferences like IFD&TC to share our research, exchange ideas with peers, and learn new skills and techniques that strengthen survey research practice.

About IFD&TC:
The International Field Directors and Technologies Conference is designed to foster informal, in‑depth communication among field directors, survey technologists, and research managers. The conference emphasizes collaboration, work in progress, and practical experiences rather than formal, publication‑ready papers. With a deliberately small and collegial structure, IFD&TC creates space for meaningful discussion on field operations, survey management, and the evolving technologies that support high‑quality data collection—bringing together professionals from academic, government, and research organizations around the world.

🌟 Shoutout to Cory Jackson! 🌟

We want to take a moment to recognize Cory for the amazing job he did on a complex project. His dedication, problem‑solving skills, and ability to keep everything moving smoothly made all the difference.

Thank you, Cory, for the hard work, professionalism, and positive attitude you bring to every project. We’re lucky to have you on the team, and your efforts always truly stand out! 👏🙌

🌟 SRC Team Spotlight: Amanda Ferrara, Mindi Weidow, and our amazing phone center staff! 🌟

We’re proud to highlight the SRC's contribution to a major statewide project surveying more than 3,500 Pennsylvania residents about online gambling behaviors. The project is led by Dr. Glenn Sterner, associate professor of criminal justice at the University of Kentucky and funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol (DDAP).

The SRC's data collection efforts help the research team shed light on how online gambling is evolving across the Commonwealth and provide valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and communities alike.

To read more...https://www.psu.edu/news/social-science-research-institute/story/online-gambling-participation-increased-pennsylvania-2025?utm_audience=Staff&utm_source=newswire&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Penn%20State%20Today&utm_content=01-22-2026-21-44&utm_term=Research%20-%201

Wishing a happy holiday season to all!

The Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State is proud to partner with the Wounded Warrior Project and Penn State Survey Research Center to conduct the 2025 Warrior Survey.

The Warrior Survey is one of the most comprehensive efforts to understand the experiences and needs of post-9/11 wounded, ill, and injured veterans. It identifies emerging trends and highlights the factors that influence warriors’ quality of life. These findings help inform WWP programs and services while also supporting policymakers, veteran-serving organizations, and the health care community.

To learn more about the type of insights this survey provides, explore WWP’s most recently published report (based on 2023 data and released this year):
🔗https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/media/04zf30b3/2025-warrior-survey-full-report.pdf

We’re honored to support work that strengthens the well-being of wounded warriors and their families.🎖

Do you receive Medicare and Medicaid or provide care for someone who does? If so, researchers at Penn State would like to hear from you! Scan the QR code or go to https://pennstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2ifH048eRwVGs6y?psource=src to see if you qualify to participate!

Veteran Statistics & Facts – Warrior Survey | WWP Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) Warrior Survey data provides insights on the current needs and challenges of veterans who are registered with WWP™.

Parenting is one of life’s most challenging—and rewarding—roles. Penn State’s Family Foundations: A Strong Start is designed to support families by fostering stronger relationships and healthier home environments. Learn more about one of the many investigators the Survey Research Center partners with to gather valuable data both online and in the field.

Family Foundations Helps New Parents with Stress | Positive Co-Parenting Family Foundations helps new parents build a team-approach to positive parenting that can lower stress and improve mental health.

Celebrating 10 Years of Innovation!

This month, we’re thrilled to celebrate Cory Jackson on his 10-year work anniversary as an Applications Developer! Cory has worked at the Survey Research Center and Smeal College of Business at Penn State, with prior experience at Teledyne Paradise Datacom and in consulting roles.

Over the past decade, Cory has been the driving force behind some of the SRC's most innovative solutions. His creativity, collaborative spirit, and forward-thinking mindset have elevated our ability to provide services as a center.

From tackling complex challenges with determination, to mentoring teammates with patience and thoughtful guidance, Cory embodies what it means to be a true team player and a visionary developer.

Thank you, Cory, for a decade of dedication, brilliance, and impact. Here’s to many more years of building the future together!

Faculty and staff from SSRI recently gathered at the Nittany Lion Inn to celebrate the year’s accomplishments and honor outstanding colleagues with staff awards. Kassidy McElwee, Valerie Keppenne, and Mindi Weidow received the “Above and Beyond Award” for exceptional performance, while Jen Smith earned the “Innovation Award” for her creative and impactful contributions. Diana Malcom was recognized with the “Workplace Climate Award” for fostering a positive and respectful work environment, and Carmen Frost received the “Diversity and Inclusion Award” for her commitment to advancing equity and inclusivity. Congratulations to all award recipients, especially our staff members, Mindi and Valerie!

ssri.psu.edu