About Social research and demonstration corporation
The Social Research and Demonstration Corporation (SRDC) is a not-for-profit organization that has been at the forefront of social experimentation in Canada for over 30 years. As a registered charity, SRDC is dedicated to improving the lives of Canadians by evaluating existing social programs and testing new ideas on a large scale before they become policy.
At SRDC, we believe that rigorous research and evaluation are essential to creating effective social policies. Our team of experts works closely with government agencies, non-profit organizations, and other stakeholders to design and implement experiments that provide valuable insights into what works – and what doesn't – when it comes to addressing complex social issues.
One of our key strengths is our ability to conduct randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which are widely considered the gold standard in social science research. By randomly assigning participants to different treatment groups, we can isolate the effects of specific interventions and determine their impact on outcomes such as employment rates, educational attainment, health outcomes, or crime reduction.
Over the years, SRDC has conducted numerous RCTs across a wide range of policy areas. For example:
- In the area of employment services, we have evaluated various programs aimed at helping unemployed individuals find work more quickly or improve their job prospects. Our studies have shown that some interventions – such as intensive coaching or financial incentives – can be highly effective in boosting employment rates.
- In education policy, we have tested innovative approaches such as online tutoring or summer learning camps for disadvantaged students. Our findings suggest that these interventions can help narrow achievement gaps between low-income students and their peers.
- In criminal justice reform efforts ,we have evaluated diversion programs for youth offenders aimed at reducing recidivism rates while also providing support services like counseling or job training.
In addition to conducting experiments ourselves ,we also provide consulting services for organizations looking to design their own evaluations .Our team can help with everything from study design and data collection methods through analysis techniques and reporting.
Overall, SRDC is committed to using evidence-based research to inform social policy decisions and improve the lives of Canadians. Whether you're a government agency, non-profit organization, or private sector entity looking to make a positive impact in your community, we can help you design and implement effective programs that deliver results.