Mississippi Urban Research Center

The Mississippi Urban Research Center’s (MURC) Evaluation unit provides evaluation and research services to individuals, for-profits, non-profits, and governmental organizations. The unit’s primary goal is to help clients gain a better understanding of the activity being evaluated.

MURC tailors its evaluation services based upon the client’s needs and type of evaluation requested (e.g. summative, formative, outcome). Evaluation services can be performed during the early phases of a project with the establishment of goals, objectives, and expected outcomes; during the implementation phase of a project examining its operations and performance; and/or after a project has ended to determine its success in meeting stated goals, objectives, and expected outcomes. 

Depending upon the nature of the evaluation project, MURC utilizes a variety of data collection and analysis methods that include survey design/distribution, focus groups and key informant interviews, program observations, examining available secondary data, and reviewing program-related documentation. MURC provides consultation to clients throughout the evaluation process by identifying project performance and areas needing improvement. MURC evaluation activities are designed to help clients determine and improve program performance.

For more information regarding MURC’s evaluation services, please contact Dr. Michael Tornes, MURC Evaluation Specialist, at michael.tornes@jsums.edu, or by telephone at (601) 979-6355. Please click the following link for additional information: MURC-Evaluation-Unit-Website.