Outsourcing, in general, gives you less control over the final results. You have no way of directly observing how the study is being conducted. Also, if the university really is 1000 miles away, it would be too far to monitor what is going on, even on, let’s say, a monthly basis. Even communication and/or transportation of materials can be delayed because of this long distance. As people have stated already, having personal connections with someone at the university is not a definitive way of ensuring that the university will effectively complete the study as intended. That personal relationship can make it challenging if difficult business decisions are to be made.

With that being said, if proper research is done regarding the university’s resources and qualifications for completing this study, and there is a solid business/professional relationship with that university, outsourcing can potentially save some time for the company. Although, there is still the issue of not being directly involved with the study.