Winthrop University Social & Behavioral Research Lab - SBRL - (803) 323-4962

Winthrop University's only fully automated public opinion and survey research center with CATI* capability, maintaining an emphasis on student learning and community service. (* Computer Aided Telephone Interviewing).

The SBRL also produces the widely respected Winthrop Poll.

The Social & Behavioral Research Lab (SBRL) is a full-service survey research and data analysis entity associated with Winthrop University, serving both public and private organizations. It offers survey consulting, research instrument construction, data collection, and data analysis. The SBRL employs a state-of-the-art Computer Aided Telephone Interviewing (CATI) system for telephone based surveys. The SBRL offers on-line and face-to-face survey research capabilities and conducts focus group analysis as needed by clients.


For telephone survey research, the SBRL employs highly trained callers who undergo rigorous methodological reviews and specialized training in interviewing sensitive populations.


The SBRL also has extensive experience with program review and evaluation.


Founded by Dr. Scott H. Huffmon in the spring of 2002, the lab is a research arm of the Department of Political Science at Winthrop. It provides professional survey research and analysis. The calling center is located in 20 Dinkins Center on the campus of Winthrop University.


The mission of the SBRL is threefold: research, service, and teaching.


The SBRL offers public research through the widely respected Winthrop Poll.


Additionally, we ensure that our clients are provided with unbiased, uncompromising, and unparalleled research to meet their needs.


Since Winthrop University is a proud public institution, the SBRL counts public service as a key goal. In addition to providing the public and policy makers accurate information through The Winthrop Poll, the SBRL seeks to provide top quality and affordable research services to public institutions as well as private.


Additionally, the lab serves as a research platform for university faculty members, especially those in the social and behavioral sciences, by providing facilities and expertise for survey-based and experimental research projects.


Finally, in helping fulfill Winthrop's creed of "Live, Learn. Lead.," the SBRL offers students real-world, experiential-learning opportunities by incorporating survey research experience into several courses. Students get to discover the nuances and practical realities of research in ways that traditional classroom instruction could never teach them. Lab resources are also made available for course research and individual student research on an “as needed” basis.

Tags: Research Service