Mathematica Policy Research

Mathematica Policy Research is a policy research organization with offices in Princeton, New Jersey; Cambridge, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; Washington, DC; Ann Arbor, Michigan; and Oakland, California.[1] Mathematica has more than 1,000 employees and conducts program evaluation, policy research and interpretation, survey design and data collection, and performance measurement and data management. Mathematica works across the United States and in countries around the world for clients that include federal agencies, state and local governments, foundations, universities, and private-sector and international groups.

It is not affiliated with the computer software Mathematica.

History

In 1968, Mathematica conducted the first social policy experiment in the United States, the New Jersey Income Maintenance Experiment (an experimental study of a negative income tax), to test ways of encouraging low-income individuals to work.[2] In 1975, it was incorporated under its present name, and in 1986, the firm became employee-owned. The company became known for its large-scale random assignment evaluations of policies and programs such as abstinence education[3] and Job Corps.[4]

Research centers

In early 1995, Mathematica formed a research affiliate, the Center for Studying Health System Change, which provides objective analyses of how the country’s changing health care system affects individuals and families.

In 2007, the company launched the Center for Studying Disability Policy (CSDP), to inform disability policy formation with rigorous, objective research, and data collected from the people disability policy aims to serve. CSDP provides leadership and support for disability research and data collection conducted by Mathematica.

In early 2008, Mathematica created the Center for Improving Research Evidence (CIRE), to identify, assess, and disseminate results from quality, rigorous research to inform evidence-based policymaking. CIRE also provides technical assistance in designing, conducting, assessing, and using a range of scientific policy research and evaluations to support a growing national and international research base.

In 2010, Mathematica established the Center on Health Care Effectiveness (CHCE), a resource for policymakers, the public, and other stakeholders, offering expertise and scientific methods to address real-world issues faced by patients, providers, and innovators to improve health care.

In 2013, Mathematica established the Center for International Policy Research and Evaluation (CIPRE). Its focus is to provide high quality, objective and rigorous research-based information to funders and policymakers addressing global development issues.

Policy focus and capabilities

Mathematica has five divisions: data analytics, health, human services, international research, and survey. Mathematica's research fields include disability, early childhood, education, family support, health, international, labor, and nutrition.

Within these areas, Mathematica provides services such as program evaluation and policy research, survey design and data collection, research assessment and interpretation, and program performance and data management.

Staff and leadership

Mathematica's senior leadership consists of Paul Decker, president, chief executive officer; Barbara Devaney executive vice president; chief operating officer; Mary Moore, senior vice president and director of professional and organizational development; Deborah Reed, senior vice president; director, Human Services Research Division; Amy Johnson, senior vice president; director, Surveys and Information Services Division; Robin Sheldrick, senior vice president and secretary; director of human resources; Alison Barger, vice president and director of financial operations; and Craig Thornton, senior vice president; chief strategy officer, and managing director, Health Research Division.

Mathematica’s senior fellows, nationally recognized experts in a policy or research field, have established Mathematica as a leader in a technical or methodological area and have an outstanding record of achievement in directing large and complex projects.

Mathematica’s board of directors is chaired by Larry G. Massanari.

References

  1. Archived July 9, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
  2. "NIT Archive". Wisc.edu. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  3. "What the Research Says..." (PDF). Siecus.org. Retrieved 2015-05-16.
  4. Archived September 29, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
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