Social Research Academy

Engaging audiences with research data

14 January
£99.00 + VAT

Overview
Ben Page, Chief Executive of Ipsos MORI, is a popular and widely respected speaker and in this first session will focus on why survey research is too often ignored by decisionmakers and what we can do to give it more impact.

Session outline
This seminar will provide you with a good understanding of:

• what makes an excellent presentation in terms of delivery; and
• how best to use charts, slides and visuals to convey key messages.

Who is this session for?
The session is suitable for all levels to attend – those new to presenting will get a broad foundation and more senior levels will be reminded of the often wide gap between knowing how best to deliver a presentation, and actually delivering it in that way.

Click here to book your place.

Conducting research with disabled people

7 February
£99.00 + VAT

Overview
This session will tackle practical issues and ethical considerations to bear in mind when researching disabled people. The session will include some case studies, using examples of research conducted by Ipsos MORI.

Session outline 

This session will provide you with the information you need before commissioning or conducting research with this audience, including:

• recruiting disabled people for a research project;
• appropriate methodologies for engaging with this audience;
• making the research accessible to people with different types of impairments; and
• legal and ethical considerations, including how to seek informed consent for participation.

Who is this session for?
This session is for anyone who is considering, or already undertaking consultation, engagement or research with disabled people, including users of social care services.

Click here to book your place.

Using the internet to undertake research: Online research @ Ipsos MORI

9 March
£99.00 + VAT

Overview
Online research has become the norm for many and online communities are fast establishing a role for themselves alongside ‘traditional’ access panels. As research budgets remain tight, and clients demand even more for their money, a key opportunity for us all will be how best to leverage online research to provide results, whilst ensuring value for money.

Session outline
This session will be interactive and will include:

• the best ways to utilise an online panel;
• online quantitative techniques;
• online qualitative techniques;
• online communities; and
• webSensing and Passive Listening.

Who is this session for?
This session is aimed at all those seeking to build their knowledge of the extensive online
toolkit. Learn how online research can deliver quality, engagement, and how best to unlock
capabilities in this area.

Click here to book your place.

Understanding samples and how they apply to basic research designs

19 May
£99.00 + VAT

Overview
The course covers the basics of the key survey sampling and fieldwork methodologies. This includes understanding their relative strengths and weaknesses under different circumstances; how to judge their features; which questions you might want to ask to make an informed choice; and where to go if you need more in-depth knowledge.

Session outline
The course will cover a series of topics, with instruction and exercise sessions within each. This will include:

• introduction to sampling and research design;
• sample designs and fieldwork methodologies;
• interpreting results from different samples;
• what is important when making trade-offs; and
• the provision of a resource pack and recommended reading.

Who is this session for?

The session is aimed at those with little or no understanding of sampling design, although past experience of surveys will be beneficial. You may be someone who will need to commission surveys and understand the methodological trade-offs that such decisions can entail.

This session will be limited to discussion of general population samples and recommended for audiences interested in getting more insight into which sample design is fit for purpose. Surveys using client-supplied sample (e.g. staff, stakeholders or clients) or surveys of businesses are not included in the scope of the course, although similar principles will sometimes apply.

Click here to book your place.

Innovative qualitative research

21 June
£99.00 + VAT

Overview
This session covers a range of innovative research designs and methods used to enhance the qualitative research process, especially in the areas of citizen engagement, service access and design and stakeholder research.

Session outline
This is a highly participatory session, which will provide you insight into the following:

• building an innovative qualitative research design to be able to work with vulnerable, hard to reach and disengaged groups;
• research methods that uncover the difference between stated behaviour and actual behaviour;
• using methods like ethnography and online research to develop a deep understanding into people’s interaction with their environment; and
• using techniques like co-creation, coproduction, projection, horizon scanning and Delphi to work with a variety of audiences such as interest groups, citizens and stakeholders.

Who is this session for?

This session is aimed at anyone considering qualitative research to achieve more complex
outcomes such as prioritisation, decision-making, service design or access and social marketing campaigns.

Conducting research with children and young people

November
£99.00 + VAT

Overview
Conducting research with children and young people is not simply a case of transferring best practice from research amongst adults, but requires tailored skills and methodologies.

Session outline
This session will you a good understanding of:

• effective qualitative methodologies, techniques, and ways of engaging children and young people in research and consultation;
• quantitative sampling, and designing questionnaires for children and young people; and
• legal and ethical considerations.

Who is this session for?
This session will be useful if you work in the children and young people policy area but are fairly new to conducting research. Alternatively, you may have experience in qualitative and/or quantitative research but be less familiar with researching this audience.

 

Evaluation: Improving your work or proving your worth

December
£99.00 + VAT

Overview
This session is about the various reasons for evaluating, the different ways in which evaluation can be used, and the different methods which should be employed depending on your strategic objectives.

Session outline
The session will cover:

•  The circumstances in which evaluation is about understanding worth, for example to argue for funding/resources. We will look at the best strategies for doing this, namely looking at outcomes, impacts and value for money/cost-benefit (or SROI, depending on delegates).
• The circumstances in which evaluation is about programme development and improvement. In this situation process evaluation is important, and we will discuss the key questions which need to be asked of programmes with this objective in mind.

This session focuses on using evaluation depending on the strategic objectives of the programme manager. Following a discussion of the strategic reasons for evaluation, the session will be methods-based abd practical, focussing on the key questions programme managers need to answer and the methods they might use to collect this information.

Research the Public's Priorities in a Climate of Cuts

January : Manchester
£50.00 +VAT 

Overview
As government reduces overall spending, understanding where the public's priorities lie is increasingly important in order to maintain good relationships. Selecting the best approach to obtain this understanding is crucial and will vary according to the local context.

Session outline
This session will provide the opportunity to identify and discuss:

• best practice principles for research and consultation on prioritisation
• the different tools and approaches that might be used to answer typical  hypotheses, and
• who might be involved in such research and consultation.

This session is for anyone who is considering or currently undertaking research or consultation with the public about their spending and service priorities or their views on the role and size of modern councils.

It will entail a mix of teaching and interactive sessions and networking opportunities over lunch. All delegates will be able to take away with them a colour printed copy of our Top Tips for priority-setting with the public.