Welcome to Research Into Action

Research Into Action, Inc. is a program evaluation and market research firm. We specialize in evaluation research and market assessment design and analysis services in the fields of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and natural resource management.

Our name accurately describes what we do. We use a variety of proven theories and field-tested social/behavioral research and evaluation techniques to help our clients convert our research into effective actions.

Our clients include program administrators for utilities, government agencies, and energy-related government agencies, and nongovernmental organizations - suppliers and market innovators who rely on well designed research tools and methods in order to create, implement, analyze, and improve products and services that meet their customers' needs.

We're honored that we earned Gold level certification from the City of Portland's Sustainability at Work program -- and that Oregon Business Magazine named us the "greenest company to work for in Oregon" in 2013; we've been in the top ten since 2010.

And that the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City recognized us as one of the "Inner City 100" - the fastest-growing firms located in America's inner cities in 2012 and 2013.

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Certified by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council
Certified by the National Women Business Owners Corporation
One of the 100 Fastest-growing Companies in US Inner Cities

Projects of Interest:

Behavior Change Pilot Program Plan
Research Into Action provided consulting services to Energy Solutions, which developed and implemented energy efficiency behavior change pilot programs for Southern California Edison (SCE).The programs leveraged community groups SCE selected. SCE launched the programs in 2014. We provided strategic support and expertise in the area of energy efficiency behavior change program design, implementation, and evaluation. Tasks included providing recommendations and expertise regarding social science theory application and experimental design; program design recommendations; behavior intervention strategies; and research, measurement, and evaluation. For each pilot, we assisted Energy Solutions by: • Developing the general pilot design, using experimental and quasi-experimental best practices, • Identifying the most effective behavior intervention strategies based on previous research, • Conducting power analyses to ensure there is adequate sample for the estimated reduction in electricity (hypothesized effect size), and • Crafting messaging that adheres to behavior intervention best practices.
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Process Evaluation of Energy Trust of Oregon's Existing Buildings Program
In 2013-2014, Research Into Action conducted a process evaluation of Energy Trust of Oregon's Existing Buildings program. The program offers financial incentives and services to eligible commercial properties in Oregon and Southwest Washington. Qualified properties include offices, schools, retail, food service, and lodging. This was our third process evaluation of the program since 2009. The program has evolved considerably. This evaluation focused on the transition to a new program management contractor (PMC) and any effects the new arrangement might have on recent program innovations and any planned innovations. We interviewed Energy Trust and PMC staff, trade allies and stakeholders, and utility staff. The interviews with utility staff helped us identify how their utility worked with Energy Trust to market the program and any opportunities to improve that collaboration. Through the trade ally interviews, we learned how the transition to a new PMC affected their work.
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