In addition, he assisted in a project headed by Dr. Nancy Ammerman at the Center for Social and Religious Research at Hartford Seminary about how religious institutions organize their work. Dr. Wiggins' dissertation was a sociological analysis of contemporary Marian devotion in the U.S. Catholic Church. His dissertation committee was chaired by Dr. Fred Kniss, and also included Dr. Andrew Greeley, Dr. Mark Shibley, and Dr. Judith Wittner. Part of his research involved traveling to Marian apparition sites. PASS is a survey tool that parishes can use to evaluate the adequacy of parish services, identify the needs and concerns of its parishioners, and plan for the future direction of the parish.
RAP serves a similar function for religious orders.