A report said that a policy of selectively funding university research based on quality had driven up the quality of research since the introduction of the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). On the other hand, there was no direct correlation between size and excellence outside some of the physical sciences: small research units could be effective in subjects such as the social sciences.
Source: Concentration and Diversity: Understanding the relationship between excellence, volume and critical mass, University Alliance
Links: Report | University Alliance press release | Times Higher Education report
Date: 2009-Dec
A report said that public/patient involvement in public health and social care research could enhance the quality of research and research outcomes.
Source: Kristina Staley, Exploring Impact: Public involvement in NHS, public health and social care research, Involve
Links: Report | NIHR press release
Date: 2009-Dec
An article examined the potential for reusing existing qualitative data to inform policy, with a focus on ageing policy.
Source: Ruth Sheldon, 'Breaking a "strange silence"', Public Policy Research, Volume 16 Issue 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2009-Sep
The Higher Education Funding Council for England published a consultation document on the research excellence framework – a new process for assessing research in higher education institutions, enabling the selective allocation of funding. It would replace the research assessment exercise (RAE).
Source: Research Excellence Framework: Second consultation on the assessment and funding of research, Higher Education Funding Council for England (0117 931 7317)
Links: Consultation document | HEFCE press release | 1994 Group press release | UUK press release
Date: 2009-Sep
An article examined the kinds of research and research infrastructure needed to support high-quality social care services for children.
Source: Madeleine Stevens, Kristin Liabo, Sharon Witherspoon and Helen Roberts, 'What do practitioners want from research, what do funders fund and what needs to be done to know more about what works in the new world of children's services?', Evidence & Policy, Volume 5 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2009-Aug
An article examined the use of individuals or organizations as 'knowledge brokers' in transferring healthcare research into policy and practice.
Source: Vicky Ward, Allan House and Susan Hamer, 'Transferring healthcare research into policy and practice', Evidence & Policy, Volume 5 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2009-Aug
The Department for Children, Schools and Families published its research strategy for 2009-10, describing the main data developments and analytical work planned, and highlighting how previous research had informed policy objectives and contributed to departmental strategies and independent reviews.
Source: Analysis and Evidence Strategy 2009-10, Department for Children, Schools and Families (0845 602 2260)
Date: 2009-Jul
An interim report examined the potential for improving the efficiency and quality of data collection for complex longitudinal surveys in the United Kingdom.
Source: Randy Banks et al., A Feasibility Study to Investigate Integrated Survey Data Collection, Fieldwork Management and Survey Data Processing Systems for Longitudinal Studies: Interim Report, Economic and Social Research Council (01793 413000)
Links: Report
Date: 2009-Jul
The Economic and Social Research Council published its strategic plan for the period 2009-2014.
Source: ESRC Strategic Plan 2009-2014, Economic and Social Research Council (01793 413000)
Links: Plan | ESRC press release
Date: 2009-Jul
A report described the development of a bibliographic database to support the proposed 'Research Excellence Framework' for measuring research performance in higher education institutions.
Source: Evidence Ltd, Pilot Study of Bibliometric Indicators of Research Quality: Development of a bibliographic database, Higher Education Funding Council for England (0117 931 7317)
Links: Report
Date: 2009-Jul
A report highlighted the ways in which publicly funded research provided an evidence base to inform public policy and services, and the benefits that research brought to society and the economy.
Source: Impacts: Success in shaping public policy and services, Research Councils UK (01793 444592)
Links: Report
Date: 2009-Jul
A special journal issue examined a range of methodological issues in contemporary social research.
Source: Twenty-first Century Society, Volume 4 Number 2
Links: Table of contents
Date: 2009-Jun
A guide challenged existing policy evaluation practice and the rationale for intervention, evaluating impact, and assessing value for money. It called for the use of more sophisticated evaluation techniques, greater use of cost-benefit analysis, and a more harmonized approach to public policy and investment decisions.
Source: Pushing the Boundaries of Impact Evaluation, SQW Consulting (020 7307 7140)
Links: Guide | SQW press release
Date: 2009-Apr
A paper examined data from a commercial survey of grocery purchases, assessed how far the ongoing demands of participation inherent in this kind of survey led to 'fatigue' in respondents' recording of their spending, and compared the demographic representativeness of the data to the official Expenditure and Food Survey.
Source: Andrew Leicester and Zoe Oldfield, An Analysis of Consumer Panel Data, Working Paper W09/09, Institute for Fiscal Studies (020 7291 4800)
Date: 2009-Apr
A new book examined a range of methods that explored temporality in society, and the dynamic relations between past, present, and future. It reviewed six methodological traditions: memory-work, oral/life history, qualitative longitudinal research, ethnography, intergenerational studies, and follow-up studies.
Source: Rachel Thomson and Julie McLeod, Researching Social Change: Qualitative approaches, SAGE Publications Ltd (020 7324 8500) Links: Summary
Date: 2009-Mar
A new book examined the theory and practice of case study research.
Source: Helen Simons, Case Study Research in Practice, SAGE Publications Ltd (020 7324 8500)
Links: Summary
Date: 2009-Mar
A new book provided an overview of some of the key methodological challenges facing youth researchers, and an introduction to the range of methods used in youth-orientated research.
Source: Eleanor Ireland, Rachel Brooks, Elizabeth Cleaver and Sue Heath, Researching Young People's Lives, SAGE Publications Ltd (020 7324 8500)
Links: Summary
Date: 2009-Mar
An article examined the experiences of individuals taking on the role of lay researchers within their own community. It drew on the experiences of six young Asian women who, following training, undertook a community health needs assessment in a neighbourhood in Bradford (in the north of England).
Source: Caroline Newell and Jane South, 'Participating in community research: exploring the experiences of lay researchers in Bradford', Community, Work & Family, Volume 12 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2009-Feb
Researchers examined ways to strengthen support to local authorities and their partners in using local information and research in decision-making. They investigated the sources of demand for local information and research; how research was carried out locally; and how local information and analysis was supported by national, regional, and sub-regional organizations.
Source: Tom Smith, Keith Dugmore and Derrick Johnstone, Supporting Local Information and Research: Understanding demand and improving capacity, Department for Communities and Local Government (0870 1226 236)
Links: Report
Date: 2009-Jan
The report was published of a seminar (held in September 2008) that examined the issues and challenges of public involvement in applied social research.
Source: Social Research and Public Involvement: Colliding worlds?, Involve (020 7632 0120)
Links: Report
Date: 2009-Jan