About Us
We help researchers worldwide conduct successful surveys and manage and analyze data
Since 1965, CHRR at The Ohio State University has innovated in survey research, managed complex social research projects around the world, and mastered big data administration. We are pioneers in state longitudinal data systems, systems integration for survey research, mobile data collection methods, data security, and data analytics.
We have a staff of about 50 multidisciplinary, cohesive, and low-turnover professionals who have extensive experience helping researchers design surveys, collect data, manage large data-sets, and integrate all phases of their research program into a coherent whole—we take pride in taking on the most challenging projects.
We recently celebrated 60 years of moving research forward, and we're looking forward to many more years thanks to our clients, university supporters, community friends, and staff. CHRR's origin story dates back to 1965 when two Ohio State economics professors were awarded a dream project — a longitudinal workforce survey for the Bureau of Labor Statistics that was groundbreaking in size and scope. The center has greatly expanded its work and clients since then, but is still firmly tied to its roots — we're deeply proud to say that our original federal partnership continues to this day.
Explore our historical timeline
Our partners and clients (past and present)
Researchers from many areas at Ohio State:
- The College of Arts and Sciences
- Wexner Medical Center
- College of Medicine
- College of Nursing
- College of Optometry
- College of Public Health
- College of Engineering
- John Glenn College of Public Affairs
- Max M. Fisher College of Business
- Moritz College of Law
- College of Education and Human Ecology
- College of Social Work
- Office of International Affairs
- University Libraries
- Ohio Education Research Center
- Institute for Population Research
- Center for Aging Families
- Sports and Society Institute
- Institute for Democratic Engagement and Accountability
- Newark Earthworks Center
- Nisonger Center
Researchers and higher ed institutions nationwide:
- University of Cincinnati
- Bowling Green State University (Ohio)
- University of Kentucky
- West Virginia University
- University of Michigan
- Indiana University
- Princeton University
- Stanford University
- Columbia University
- Nassau Community College (New York)
- New York University
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- University of Georgia
- University of Washington
- Brigham Young University (Utah)
- Utah Valley University
- The University of Texas at Austin
- Kansas State University
Ohio and regional partners:
- Nationwide Children's Hospital
- United Way of Central Ohio
- Franklin County Children Services
- Battelle for Kids
- The Columbus Foundation
- Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission
- Ohio Supercomputer Center
- Ohio Humanities Council
- Ohio Manufacturers’ Association
- Ohio Excels
- Ohio Colleges of Medicine Government Resource Center
- Kentucky Center for Statistics
State of Ohio partners:
- Governor’s SOAR mental health initiative
- Ohio Analytics
- Various State of Ohio agencies
- Dept. of Behavioral Health (formerly MHAS)
- Dept. of Developmental Disabilities
- Dept. of Jobs and Family Services
- Dept. of Development
- Dept. of Education & Workforce
- Dept. of Higher Education
- Dept. of Children and Youth
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Ohio Housing Finance Agency
- Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities
Federal government and partners with national reach:
- Federal entities
- U.S. Department of Labor
- National Institutes of Health
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
- National Science Foundation
- Foundations and trusts
- Laura and John Arnold Foundation
- Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
- The Pew Charitable Trusts
- William T. Grant Foundation
- Additional partners with national reach
- NORC at the University of Chicago
- Aurivio
- RAND
- Coleridge Initiative
The center's name in historical context
We are often asked about our name and what it stands for. CHRR was founded in 1965 as the Center for Human Resource Research. We changed our to-do-business name to CHRR at The Ohio State University. As the meaning of "human resources" has evolved over time, we remain committed to our mission of studying an array of socioeconomic factors through survey research and the organization and dissemination of administrative data. Today, we use CHRR at The Ohio State University to emphasize our connection with one of the nation’s leading research universities as we provide survey and data services for researchers worldwide.
CHRR Directors
1965— Herbert Parnes and Samuel Clifton 'Clif' Kelley, co-directors
1977— Michael Borus
1985— Ken Wolpin
1987— Randall Olsen
2015— Elizabeth Cooksey
2021— Stephen Gavazzi (Interim)
2022— Stephen Gavazzi
Current Director Dr. Stephen M. Gavazzi, and his predecessor, Dr. Elizabeth Cooksey, have been featured on Voices of Excellence, a podcast showcasing faculty within the College of Arts and Sciences at Ohio State. In their interviews, Gavazzi and Cooksey discuss CHRR’s projects, services, and areas of expertise. Listen to each of their Voices of Excellence episodes below.
