An article examined the extent of the problem of progressively larger non-response for the first two waves of the Millennium Cohort Study. Differences in the propensity to respond were small compared with the unequal selection probabilities built into the sample design. It was, therefore, unlikely that weighting adjustments would have a substantial effect, over and above the effect of the sample design, on longitudinal analyses.
Source: Ian Plewis, 'Non-response in a birth cohort study: the case of the Millennium Cohort Study', International Journal of Social Research Methodology, Volume 10 Number 5
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Dec
An article said that the recent establishment of two national, longitudinal studies of contemporary birth cohorts in the United Kingdom and United States of America created a valuable opportunity for cross-national research on the experiences of young children and their families. It described these new datasets, and highlighted the potential advantages and challenges of their combined use.
Source: Danielle Crosby and Denise Hawkes, 'Cross-national research using contemporary birth cohort studies: a look at early maternal employment in the UK and USA', International Journal of Social Research Methodology, Volume 10 Number 5
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Dec
A report summarized the recommendations of a planning group on ethics in social care research set up by the Department of Health. The group made recommendations for a comprehensive system of social care ethics review; a key objective was to ensure that any system covered both children and adult sectors, and research that cut across national boundaries.
Source: Jan Pahl, Ethics Review in Social Care Research, Department of Health (08701 555455)
Links: Report | DH response
Date: 2007-Dec
An article examined ethical considerations in social research, and existing approaches to safeguarding ethical standards. Overly rigid ethics committees could be counter-productive, and there might be a need to reassess their functions.
Source: Sue Richardson and Miriam McMullan, 'Research ethics in the UK: what can sociology learn from health?', Sociology, Volume 41 Issue 6
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Dec
A paper examined the theory, practice, and impact of using verbatim quotations from research participants in reporting qualitative social research for policy.
Source: Anne Corden, Using Verbatim Quotations in Reporting Qualitative Social Research: A review of selected publications, Social Policy Research Unit/University of York (01904 433608)
Links: Paper
Date: 2007-Nov
A new book examined how 'systemic action research' could be integrated, in any context, to the process of social and organizational development and change. (Systemic action research examines the often complex dynamics of whole systems in social structures and organizations.)
Source: Danny Burns, Systemic Action Research: A strategy for whole system change, Policy Press, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Links: Summary
Date: 2007-Oct
A journal issue contained a themed section on qualitative longitudinal research for social policy.
Source: Social Policy and Society, Volume 6 Issue 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Sep
An article drew on the first-known review of user-controlled research to explore the potential contribution of service-user knowledge and research to the development of evidence-based policy and practice in health and social care.
Source: Peter Beresford, 'The role of service user research in generating knowledge-based health and social care: from conflict to contribution', Evidence & Policy, Volume 3 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Aug
An article examined social policy researchers' perceptions of the quality of published work. Although there was general agreement on some criteria of quality, there was dissension on others. The concept of quality was not found to be uniform but contested, with respondents having a range of views.
Source: Joe Sempik, Saul Becker and Alan Bryman, 'The quality of research evidence in social policy: consensus and dissension among researchers', Evidence & Policy, Volume 3 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Aug
An article examined the barriers that affected the involvement of 'experts by experience' in research and in publishing.
Source: Michael Preston-Shoot, 'Whose lives and whose learning? Whose narratives and whose writing? Taking the next research and literature steps with experts by experience ', Evidence & Policy, Volume 3 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Aug
An article examined the role that user-involvement research could play in health inequalities research.
Source: Peter Beresford, 'User involvement, research and health inequalities: developing new directions', Health and Social Care in the Community, Volume 15 Issue 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Jul
An article reported on the process of establishing the first joint health and social care evidence-based practice guideline (in dementia care). It addressed the methodological and procedural challenges of reviewing, meta-analyzing, and synthesizing knowledge for health and social care. It suggested that the process might be a model for future development of practice guidelines.
Source: Nick Gould and Tim Kendall, 'Developing the NICE/SCIE guidelines for dementia care: the challenges of enhancing the evidence base for social and health care', British Journal of Social Work, Volume 37 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-May
A paper examined the introduction of dependent interviewing in wave 16 of the British Household Panel Survey. (Dependent interviewing is a method of designing questions on longitudinal surveys where substantive information, available to the survey organization prior to the interview, is used to tailor the wording and routing of questions to the respondent?s situation or to enable in-interview edit checks.)
Source: Annette J?ckle, Heather Laurie and SC Noah Uhrig, The Introduction of Dependent Interviewing on the British Household Panel Survey, Working Paper 2007-07, Institute for Social and Economic Research/University of Essex (01206 873087)
Links: Working paper
Date: 2007-May
Two linked reports examined 'optimism bias' in the appraisal of regeneration and decent homes projects (the tendency for project appraisers to be overly optimistic about project costs, duration, and benefits).
Source: DTZ Pieda Consulting, Optimism Bias in the Appraisal of Regeneration Projects, Department for Communities and Local Government (0870 1226 236) | DTZ Pieda Consulting, Optimism Bias in the Appraisal of Decent Homes Projects, Department for Communities and Local Government
Links: Report (1) | Report (2)
Date: 2007-Mar
A paper examined measurement error in time-use data. Analysis of 'stylized' recall questionnaire estimates and diary-based estimates of housework time from the same respondents gave evidence of systematic biases in the stylized estimates, and large random errors in both types of data.
Source: Man Yee Kan and Stephen Pudney, Measurement Error in Stylised and Diary Data on Time Use, Working Paper 2007-03, Institute for Social and Economic Research/University of Essex (01206 873087)
Links: Working paper
Date: 2007-Mar
A new book examined the meanings and assumptions embedded in 'evidence-based policy', illustrated its successes and shortfalls, looked at alternative perspectives, and suggested ways to improve the engagement of research with policy and practice.
Source: Sandra Nutley, Isabel Walter and Huw Davies, Using Evidence: How research can inform public services, Policy Press, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Links: Summary
Date: 2007-Mar
A paper examined the results of an experiment carried out during the British Household Panel Survey, involving a small increase in the monetary incentive given to survey respondents. Response rates were higher for those receiving the increased incentive amount. The effect varied by the demographic characteristics and previous response history of respondents.
Source: Heather Laurie, The Effect of Increasing Financial Incentives in a Panel Survey: An experiment on the British Household Panel Survey, Wave 14, Working Paper 2007-05, Institute for Social and Economic Research/University of Essex (01206 873087)
Links: Working paper
Date: 2007-Feb
A paper examined the accuracy of individuals' expectations of their financial circumstances, as reported in the British Household Panel Survey, as predictors of outcomes; and identified what factors influenced their reliability.
Source: James Mitchell and Martin Weale, The Rationality and Reliability of Expectations Reported by British Households: Micro evidence from the British Household Panel Survey, Discussion Paper 287, National Institute for Economic and Social Research (020 7654 1901)
Links: Discussion paper
Date: 2007-Feb
A collection of case studies was published of user involvement in systematic reviews.
Source: Collection of Examples of Service User and Carer Participation in Systematic Reviews, Social Care Institute for Excellence (020 7089 6840)
Links: Report
Date: 2007-Feb
An article said that codes of ethics governing research in social science had tended to focus too narrowly on the rights of participants in research.
Source: Paul Spicker, 'The ethics of policy research', Evidence & Policy, Volume 3 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Jan
The Social Care Institute for Excellence published a guide to the conduct of its systematic research reviews (which combine research knowledge gathered in a research review and practice knowledge assembled through a practice survey, set against the background of the organizational and policy context).
Source: Esther Coren and Mike Fisher, The Conduct of Systematic Research Reviews for SCIE Knowledge Reviews, Social Care Institute for Excellence (020 7089 6840)
Links: Guidance
Date: 2007-Jan
An article examined the experience of individuals who lived in a disadvantaged community as they entered into a radical action research process. As locally based researchers, they worked in partnership with more formally trained researchers and professionals to utilize action research as an effective methodology for tackling the problems faced by the community.
Source: Rhonda Braithwaite, Sarah Cockwill, Martin O?Neill and Deanne Rebane, 'Insider participatory action research in disadvantaged post-industrial areas', Action Research, Volume 5 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Jan
A paper examined the effects of continued incentive payments on attrition, bias, and item non-response in panel surveys. Incentives significantly reduced attrition, far outweighing negative effects on item non-response.
Source: Annette J?ckle and Peter Lynn, Respondent Incentives in a Multi-Mode Panel Survey: Cumulative effects on nonresponse and bias, Working Paper 2007-01, Institute for Social and Economic Research/University of Essex (01206 873087)
Links: Working paper
Date: 2007-Jan
An independent report said that research funding from the Higher Education Funding Council for England gave universities and colleges a stable source of income, enabling them to maintain a strong research infrastructure and conduct 'cutting edge' research they could not otherwise afford to carry out.
Source: SQW Ltd, Impact of Quality Related (QR) Funding for Research in English Higher Education Institutions, Higher Education Funding Council for England (0117 931 7317)
Links: Report | HEFCE press release
Date: 2007-Jan