In Search of Excellence: Research that Underpins SOUND Public Policy

Look up the word “research” and you will find an expansive set of definitions that ultimately converge on the idea answering questions, discovering truths and gather information. We’ve said it before but we’ll say it again – the e-NC Authority is legislatively charged by the N.C. General Assembly to research access to telecommunications infrastructure and use that data to inform state efforts to encourage broadband Internet use and expansion. We take this charge very seriously – applying considerable resources and talent to the collection, analysis, synthesis, interpretation, utilization and dissemination of the e-NC Authority’s proprietary research on behalf of the citizens and businesses of North Carolina.

The e-NC Authority employs research that includes the following:
- qualitative focus groups
- quantitative/high-precision surveys
- empirical assessments of geographic or population connectivity issues
- meta analysis of mathematical modeling and technology adoption
- exploratory network feasibility studies
- prescriptive, futures-oriented technology forecasts
- retrospective evaluations of funded programs
- data-driven economic impact assessments

While the methods may vary, the e-NC Authority’s commitment to high-quality, high-relevance research has never wavered. Studies conducted involve in-house research professionals and expert consultants to generate data and results that are credible, accurate and independently verifiable. Multiple approaches are utilized to provide more accurate answers in instances where data availability is incomplete. Third-party research professionals at universities and private research organizations join our studies and provide arms-length evaluations of the e-NC Authority’s programs.

Best of all – its public. All research produced or sponsored by the e-NC Authority is available at http://www.e-nc.org/research.asp. This is in keeping with the legislative and legal mandates that govern us as a state authority but also with the research methodologies and best practices that drive the private sector. Following research best practices is not simply a gesture towards credibility – it is fundamental in our mandate to provide responsible guidance for public policies and investments in an arena that is critical to economic competitiveness.

Finally, the e-NC Authority champions data- and fact-driven research as a requirement for the accountability that any publicly-funded agency must provide. Therefore, we applaud the fact that accountability is an important factor to federal government agencies that will be managing grants, programs and initiatives of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. With the help of the e-NC Authority’s research, North Carolina’s public, private and nonprofit agencies will be better prepared to responsibly manage any broadband stimulus dollars made available.