Collaborations

We often work with academic experts. Depending on the research project, university researchers might:

• sub-contract us to undertake a particular element of a research project e.g. a series of focus groups, qualitative interviews or a quantitative survey (the University is the client or the lead organisation)
• be sub-contracted to provide a number of days consultancy/advice on their specialist area (Ipsos MORI Scotland is the lead organisation)
• work in close partnership with us to undertake a joint project (either the University or Ipsos MORI Scotland is the lead organisation but the work is shared quite evenly).

We can provide costings and methodological sections for grant applications. If you want to discuss a possible collaboration, please contact Lorraine Murray.

Here are some examples of the different types of collaboration we have undertaken:

Research for the Generation Scotland genetic database project. We were commissioned by Dr Gill Haddow, from the University of Edinburgh on behalf of Generation Scotland (a collaboration between Scottish Universities' Medical Schools, many other biomedical research institutes and NHS Scotland) to undertake a random, pre-selected survey of 1,000 people across Scotland. The survey used discrete choice modelling to find out what factors would encourage and discourage people from taking part in the Generation Scotland medical research study. We provided a report on the survey and then co-authored a paper in the Public Understanding of Science journal.

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Working with Lorraine and her colleagues made the survey research work out much better than I could have hoped to achieve. We worked as a team generating and redesigning the survey questionnaire and, despite the difficulty involved in doing a Discrete Choice Experiment as well as having a tight deadline and a constantly shifting agenda, the results produced were A-class. I frequently consult with Ipsos MORI now when doing grant applications in order to assess whether and how we can work together again. It's a learning experience to be recommended.

Dr Gill Haddow, University of Edinburgh

Research with Professor Sarah Cunningham-Burley, Centre for Research on Families and Relationships at the University of Edinburgh, to evaluate the ‘You First’ programme for young parents. The mixed method evaluation included both qualitative and quantitative research. Ipsos MORI Scotland was the lead contractor. We undertook the fieldwork and took a lead on the analysis and reporting. Professor Cunningham-Burley provided several days expertise into the design of the research materials, analysis of the findings and commenting on the report.

I have worked successfully with Ipsos MORI on three occasions now in different ways on different pieces of work. This developing relationship has real advantages in terms of my research interests and research capacity, especially when responding to calls for research that are to tight timescales but strategically important and intellectually interesting.

Professor Sarah Cunningham-Burley, University of Edinburgh

Research with two experts in children’s visual problems - Dr John Ravenscroft of the University of Edinburgh and Dr Jennifer Skillen of NHS Fife - to determine whether the routine school sight testing of children in Primary 7 identifies previously undetected significant sight problems. We undertook surveys of parents and optometrists, Dr Ravenscroft undertook a literature review, and Dr Skillen analysed test data. We then worked collaboratively on the final report.

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This was the first time I had worked with Ipsos MORI and I sincerely hope it will not be the last. I was particularly impressed with their already high level of research knowledge and methodology and so as an academic there was a seamless transition in working - as if I was working with colleagues within the University. Their professionalism was second to none and, although the project ran up against some very tight deadlines, their ability to act accordingly ensured a successful delivery.

Dr John Ravenscroft, University of Edinburgh

Research with a network of academics from several institutions co-ordinated by Michael Adler, Professor of Socio-Legal Studies at the University of Edinburgh to undertake a qualitative study of public perceptions of a range of external scrutiny mechanisms for the Independent Review of Regulation, Audit, Inspection and Complaints Handling of Public Services chaired by Professor Lorne Crerar (‘the Crerar Review’). We undertook the fieldwork (a series of reconvened focus groups with service users and the general public) and shared the analysis and reporting.

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All the members of our network enjoyed the experience of working with Ipsos MORI Scotland. The researchers at Ipsos MORI knew how to utilise our expertise in designing the project, we were very happy with the high quality of the fieldwork they carried out and felt that our joint work on the final report made it even better than it would otherwise have been. From our perspective, this was a ‘win-win’ experience.

Professor Michael Adler, University of Edinburgh

Research for a team from the Department of Human Nutrition at the University of Glasgow to test an ‘eatwell week’ resource (designed to show a healthy balanced diet over the course of a week). The University of Glasgow was the lead contractor. They developed the resource which we then tested with consumers and health professionals. Our report on the findings fed into the full report for the Food Standards Agency.

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One of Ipsos MORI’s strengths was that they could recruit and run focus groups across the UK, with a cross-section of the general public and with specific health professionals. They provided us with the detailed evidence we required, in a timely fashion, and wrote a clear, concise and high standard report which we were able to insert directly into our wider report on the project.

Dr Catherine Hankey and Dr Wilma Leslie, University of Glasgow

Research with a team from the School of Applied Social Sciences at the University of Stirling to evaluate Return Home Welfare Interviews for Young Runaways. This was a mixed method evaluation. The University of Stirling was the lead contractor. We undertook the analysis of costs, shared the qualitative depth interviews and the analysis of police data, and contributed to the reporting.

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This project provided us with a positive experience of collaborative work with Ipsos MORI. Working together enabled us to combine resources and expertise ensuring that the aims and objectives of the project were met in a timely manner.

Dr Margaret Malloch, University of Stirling