Curva Research
Curva and Associates staff has several decades of research experience. The areas of expertise have been in the fields of education, health and human services, survey and marketing research, and international development. In education, the major areas of emphasis have been in primary and secondary education, health education and prevention, physical education, rural development and adult education.

Health and human services focuses primarily in the areas of gerontology, labor and employment, tobacco prevention and education programs, low-income housing, and medical education. In market research, our experience has been in focus group testing, survey development and implementation, and development of many validated paper and pencil measures of consumer traits.

Curva and Associates consultants have extensive international development experience. Staff is fluent in several languages including Spanish, French, and Portuguese. Consultant experience extends to South and Central America, Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. The areas of research expertise range from rural education, economic development, adult education, capacity building for non-governmental organizations, program evaluation, and staff training in research methodology.

Over the past four years, research undertaken has focused on program evaluation of several Florida Department of Health Tobacco Control Programs including the American Heart Association Health Prevention and Education Programs, Artful Truth, Minority Health Education Programs, A Burning Curiosity, and the Sports for Life Program. All the projects are targeted to primary and secondary school students in public, private, and charter schools, as well as community-based organizations. Two are museum-based programs (Artful Truth and A Burning Curiosity).

The research components include the development of survey instruments using the Teleform software that allows for design of high-end professional surveys, and guarantees 100% accuracy in data handling. In addition, Curva and Associates conducts field-based observation and analysis, A site visit protocol form is developed and designed with assistance from the project staff. The research team negotiates directly with each site for scheduling the visits and the itinerary. Such visits have included interviews with teachers, administrators, students, and other appropriate school personnel. A detailed site visit report is written and 'triangulated' with various local sources to ensure accuracy and authenticity.