Center for Applied Research is a leading Ukrainian social research firm providing market research and social polling services across Europe and North America. With local enumerators in 15 countries, we deliver insights from both mainstream populations and hard-to-reach communities.
Countries We Provide Services
Europe: Ukraine | Germany | Poland | Bulgaria | Romania | Czech Republic | Slovakia | Spain | Italy | United Kingdom | France | Switzerland | Austria
North America: United States | Canada
Why Choose Us?
✓ Our Ukrainian base provides significant cost advantages.
✓ Specialized Access – Proven ability to reach vulnerable and minority populations.
✓ Multilingual Capabilities – Research conducted in local languages.
✓ Cultural Sensitivity – Deep understanding of regional nuances.
✓ International Standards – Quality assurance across all markets.
✓ Full-Service Approach – From design to reporting and strategic recommendations.
Our Research Services
Survey & Data Collection
Face-to-Face (F2F) Survey services provide direct, personal engagement with respondents through professionally trained enumerators who conduct in-person questionnaire administration. This traditional and highly effective method ensures higher response rates, better data quality, and the ability to clarify questions in real-time, making it particularly valuable for complex research topics or when studying populations with limited digital access. Our field teams are culturally competent and language-proficient, enabling authentic communication with diverse communities across all our operational territories.
Focus Groups represent one of our core qualitative research strengths, offering both traditional offline sessions and modern online formats to accommodate varying client needs and participant preferences. Our offline focus groups take place in professional facilities equipped with observation rooms and recording capabilities, while our online focus groups utilize secure, user-friendly platforms that maintain the interactive dynamics essential for productive group discussions. Each session is moderated by experienced researchers who guide conversations to uncover deep insights about attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors that quantitative methods alone cannot reveal.
Individual In-Depth Interviews provide the most comprehensive qualitative insights through one-on-one conversations with carefully selected key respondents. These extended interviews, typically lasting 45-90 minutes, allow our researchers to explore complex topics in detail, understand nuanced perspectives, and uncover the underlying motivations behind participant responses. This methodology is particularly effective for sensitive topics, expert opinions, or when researching decision-making processes that require detailed exploration of individual experiences and thought patterns.
Vulnerable Population Surveys represent a specialized area of expertise where many traditional research firms lack the cultural sensitivity and methodological expertise required for ethical and effective data collection. We have developed comprehensive protocols for working with refugees, displaced persons, people with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and other sensitive groups, ensuring that research participation is voluntary, comfortable, and culturally appropriate while maintaining the highest ethical standards throughout the entire research process.
Market Research & Analysis
Traffic Measurement service provides foot traffic analysis around retail locations, shopping centers, and commercial establishments. Using systematic observation techniques and advanced counting methodologies, our trained enumerators collect detailed data on pedestrian and vehicular movement patterns throughout different time periods, days of the week, and seasonal variations. This service includes demographic profiling of passersby, directional flow analysis, peak traffic identification, and competitor location impact assessment. The data helps retailers optimize store locations, plan marketing activities, negotiate lease agreements, and understand the potential customer base in specific geographic areas. Our international presence allows for comparative traffic studies across multiple markets, providing valuable insights for expansion decisions and location strategy development.
Product Testing Services encompass consumer response and usability studies designed to evaluate new products, services, or improvements to existing offerings before market launch. Through structured testing environments and real-world usage scenarios, we gather detailed feedback on product functionality, design appeal, pricing sensitivity, and overall user experience. Our methodology includes both qualitative and quantitative approaches, incorporating focus groups, individual testing sessions, comparative product evaluations, and long-term usage trials. We assess consumer preferences, identify potential issues, measure satisfaction levels, and provide recommendations for product optimization. This service is particularly valuable for companies entering new international markets, as our local teams understand cultural preferences and can adapt testing protocols to reflect regional consumer behaviors and expectations.
Advertising Campaign Effectiveness Service provides measurement and analysis of marketing initiatives across multiple channels and markets. We employ both pre-campaign and post-campaign research methodologies to establish baseline awareness levels and measure the impact of advertising efforts on brand recognition, message recall, purchase intention, and actual consumer behavior. Our assessment includes reach and frequency analysis, message comprehension testing, emotional response evaluation, and competitive positioning impact. We track campaign performance across different demographic segments and geographic markets, providing detailed ROI calculations and recommendations for campaign optimization. This service is especially valuable for international campaigns, as our local teams can assess cultural adaptation effectiveness and provide market-specific insights for improving campaign performance in different countries.
Net Promoter Score (NPS) service provides systematic measurement and analysis of customer loyalty and satisfaction levels across different markets and customer segments. Beyond the basic NPS calculation, we conduct follow-up interviews with respondents to understand the underlying reasons behind their ratings, identifying specific strengths and areas for improvement in the customer experience. Our methodology includes trend analysis over time, competitor benchmarking, demographic segmentation, and correlation analysis between NPS scores and business outcomes such as retention rates and revenue growth. We provide detailed recommendations for improving customer loyalty, addressing detractor concerns, and leveraging promoter advocacy. Our international capability allows for cross-market NPS comparisons, helping companies understand how their customer relationships vary across different cultural and economic environments.
Service Quality Assessment provides evaluation of all aspects of customer service delivery, from initial contact through post-purchase support. Using mystery shopping techniques, customer journey mapping, and systematic feedback collection, we assess service consistency, staff competency, process efficiency, and overall customer satisfaction across multiple touchpoints. Our evaluation covers both digital and physical service environments, including call centers, retail locations, online platforms, and mobile applications. We measure service quality against industry standards and best practices, identifying gaps and opportunities for improvement. The assessment includes staff performance evaluation, process optimization recommendations, and customer experience enhancement strategies. Our international presence enables consistent service quality measurement across multiple markets, ensuring brand standards are maintained globally while accounting for local cultural expectations and preferences.
Customer Acquisition Research focuses on identifying and understanding potential new customers, developing strategies to reach them effectively, and optimizing conversion processes. Through comprehensive market segmentation analysis, demographic profiling, and behavioral studies, we identify high-potential customer groups and develop detailed profiles of ideal prospects. Our research includes competitive analysis of customer acquisition strategies, evaluation of different marketing channels and messages, and assessment of barriers to customer conversion. We conduct surveys and interviews with both existing customers and prospects to understand decision-making processes, purchasing criteria, and preferred communication channels. The research provides actionable recommendations for improving lead generation, optimizing sales funnels, and developing targeted marketing campaigns. Our international presence enables customer acquisition research across multiple markets, helping companies understand how customer acquisition strategies need to be adapted for different cultural and economic environments.
Website Performance Evaluation provides comprehensive analysis of online user experience, conversion optimization, and digital engagement effectiveness. Using a combination of user testing sessions, analytics review, and customer feedback collection, we assess website functionality, navigation efficiency, content relevance, and conversion path optimization. Our methodology includes usability testing with real users, competitive website analysis, mobile responsiveness evaluation, and accessibility assessment. We measure key performance indicators such as page load times, bounce rates, conversion rates, and user satisfaction scores, providing detailed recommendations for improvement. The evaluation covers both technical performance and user experience aspects, including design appeal, content clarity, and call-to-action effectiveness. Our international capability allows for cross-market website performance comparison and cultural adaptation assessment, ensuring websites perform effectively across different markets and user preferences while meeting local regulatory requirements and cultural expectations.
Specific Population Research
Refugee Population Research and Integration Studies
Our expertise in refugee research stems from direct experience and deep cultural understanding, particularly with Ukrainian refugees displaced across European host countries since 2022. We have developed specialized methodologies for reaching and engaging refugee communities who are often hesitant to participate in research due to legal concerns, language barriers, trauma experiences, and distrust of official institutions. Our approach involves building relationships with refugee support organizations, community leaders, and cultural centers to establish trust and credibility within these communities. We employ multilingual enumerators who share similar backgrounds and experiences, enabling authentic communication and reducing cultural barriers that often prevent meaningful data collection.
Our refugee research protocols address sensitive topics such as integration challenges, employment barriers, housing conditions, healthcare access, education needs, and mental health impacts. We understand the complex legal and social circumstances affecting refugee populations and adapt our methodologies accordingly, ensuring full anonymity and data protection while complying with international research ethics standards. We can conduct research across multiple host countries simultaneously, enabling comparative analysis of integration policies, support systems, and community reception patterns. This approach provides invaluable insights for government agencies, international organizations, and NGOs working to improve refugee services and integration outcomes.
Displaced Persons and Migrant Community Research
Our work expereince with internally displaced persons (in Ukraine) and various migrant communities extends beyond traditional survey methods to include ethnographic approaches, community mapping, and participatory research techniques. We recognize that displaced populations often exist in temporary, transitional situations that make standard research approaches ineffective. Our methodology involves identifying informal gathering places, community networks, and support systems where displaced persons feel safe and comfortable participating in research activities. We work with local community organizations, religious institutions, and informal leaders to gain access while ensuring that participation remains voluntary and confidential.
We assess access to services, employment opportunities, legal documentation issues, and family reunification processes. Our international presence allows us to track migration patterns across borders, providing comprehensive data on diaspora communities and transnational family networks. Our cultural competency training ensures that enumerators understand the complex circumstances affecting different migrant groups and can adapt their approach accordingly.
Research with People with Disabilities
Our disability research expertise encompasses both visible and invisible disabilities, recognizing the diverse needs and experiences within this population. We have developed specialized protocols for conducting accessible research that accommodates various communication needs, mobility limitations, and cognitive differences. Our enumerators receive training on disability etiquette, assistive technology use, and inclusive communication techniques.
Our methodology addresses both individual experiences and systemic barriers, examining access to employment, education, healthcare, transportation, and social services. We conduct research in accessible venues and provide accommodation support as needed, including transportation assistance, caregiver allowances, and flexible scheduling to accommodate medical appointments or treatment schedules. Our approach recognizes the intersectionality of disability with other identities such as age, gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, ensuring that our data collection captures the full complexity of participants’ experiences. We work closely with disability advocacy organizations and service providers to ensure that our research contributes meaningfully to policy development and service improvement efforts.
National and Religious Minority Research
Our work with national and religious minority communities requires deep sensitivity to historical experiences of discrimination, marginalization, and persecution. We understand that these communities often maintain strong internal networks while remaining relatively isolated from mainstream society, making traditional research approaches ineffective or potentially harmful. Our methodology involves extensive community engagement, beginning with relationship-building activities that demonstrate respect for cultural traditions and community leadership structures. We employ enumerators who share linguistic, cultural, or religious backgrounds with participants, ensuring authentic communication and reducing imbalances that can affect data quality.
Veterans and Military Personnel Research
Our veteran research capabilities address the unique challenges facing former military personnel as they transition to civilian life (Ukraine as of 2025 has an army of more than 1 mln active soldiers). Military populations often maintain strong internal networks while experiencing barriers to civilian service access and social integration. Our enumerators include individuals with military backgrounds who can establish credibility and trust within veteran communities. We have developed specialized approaches for addressing sensitive topics such as combat experiences, service-related injuries, mental health challenges, and family reintegration issues.
Our methodology recognizes the diversity within military populations, including differences based on branch of service, deployment experiences, rank, length of service, and circumstances of separation. We examine access to veteran services, employment transitions, healthcare needs, housing stability, and family relationships. Our research protocols include trauma-informed approaches and connections to appropriate support resources. Our international presence allows for comparative analysis of veteran support systems and transition outcomes across different countries, providing insights for policy development and service improvement.
Other Vulnerable Community Research
Our expertise extends to various other vulnerable populations including homeless individuals, LGBTQ+ individuals, and communities affected by environmental disasters or economic crises. Each vulnerable population requires specialized approaches based on their specific circumstances, safety concerns, and trust barriers. We develop customized methodologies that prioritize participant safety and wellbeing while ensuring ethical data collection practices.
Ethical Framework and Quality Assurance
All our vulnerable population research operates under strict ethical guidelines that exceed standard research protocols. We maintain institutional review board approval across all operating countries and ensure compliance with local privacy laws and data protection regulations. Our informed consent processes are adapted for each population, using clear language, multiple formats, and additional safeguards for participants with limited decision-making capacity. We provide ongoing training for all research staff on ethical considerations, cultural competency, and crisis intervention procedures.
Our quality assurance measures include regular supervision, and external oversight to ensure that research activities maintain the highest ethical standards while producing reliable data. Through these comprehensive approaches, we have built a reputation as a trusted research partner for organizations working with vulnerable populations across multiple international contexts.
About Centre for Applied Research
Established: 2013 in Ukraine.
Our Team: 35 specialists including social researchers, political experts, economic analysts, field enumerators, and creative professionals.
Production Capabilities: In-house video and audio production studio for social and commercial content.
Trusted by Leading Organizations
Our clients include global corporations and international institutions:
- Shell;
- Deloitte;
- McKinsey & Company;
- Geneva Call;
- United Nations Ukraine;
- Konrad Adenauer Foundation;
- NGO New Europe Center.
ORDER OUR SERVICES
Social & Political Research | Market Research | Political Campaigning | Cross-Cultural Studies | Migration & Refugee Research | Minority Community Analysis
E-mail: polls@cpd.com.ua