MSU's Institute of Water Research upgrades SIDMA, advancing social indicator tracking for nonpoint source pollution programs
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EmailMSU's Institute of Water Research upgrades SIDMA, advancing social indicator tracking for nonpoint source pollution programs
EAST LANSING, Mich. — The Institute of Water Research (IWR) at Michigan State University has launched a significant upgrade to the Social Indicators Data Management and Analysis (SIDMA) system. This platform helps watershed partners organize, analyze, and visualize social indicators related to nonpoint source (NPS) pollution management.
With support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Nonpoint Source Program, the upgrade modernizes SIDMA's user interface, streamlining survey design and response collection. It refreshes the back end to improve performance and longevity. First launched in 2008, SIDMA enables programs to track changes in attitudes, knowledge, and constraints related to adopting best management practices, using statistically robust methods to assess progress over time.
What's new in SIDMA:
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Build surveys faster with simplified, guided tools.
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Improve response rates with an accessible, mobile-friendly survey experience.
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Import results collected offline.
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Export indicator scores at respondent and survey levels for reporting.
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Explore data with more interactive charts and visuals.
"SIDMA has been one of IWR's longest-running and most widely utilized tools. It was due for an update. We have had plenty of time to gather user feedback over the years, and that input drove this upgrade," said Glenn O'Neil, Environmental Scientist and GIS Specialist, Institute of Water Research at Michigan State University.
The IWR will host an online seminar on September 30, 2025, from 1:00 – 1:30 PM ET to demonstrate the new functionality. Registration is required: https://msu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wxGueU5sQ_2M5MTy73iNNQ
Access SIDMA: https://iwr.msu.edu/sidma
