research and evaluation

Young Digital

Web resource for anyone with an interest in using digital media for research, consultation or participation activities with children and young people.

It contains information and advice about:

  • the technical aspects of using digital media in research with children
  • some of the methods that are available
  • ethical issues and how to deal with them
  • analysis and dissemination with digital media
  • involving young people as co-producers.

Research, Policy and Planning: the journal of the Social Services Research Group

Since its first issue in 1986 the Social Services Research Group’s journal Research Policy and Planning has been one of the key research journals in the personal social services.

The journal is devoted to publishing work by researchers and practitioners in local and central government, other statutory authorities and voluntary agencies.

Evaluation of national citizen service pilots: interim report

Report that presents the findings of the independent evaluation of the pilot of NCS in 2011. The evaluation involved: a series of case studies assessing what worked in the delivery and implementation of the programme; before and after surveys with NCS participants and a comparable group of non-participating 16 year olds to measure the impact of the programme; and economic analysis of the costs and benefits of the programme.

Methods, tools and databases

Developing research methods is central to the EPPI-Centre’s work. The EPPI-Centre's Methods for Synthesis (MRS) programme is one of five nodes of the ESCR’s National Centre for Research methods (NCRM). The MRS programme develops methodology in research synthesis and builds capacity by offering training and support. This topic is included in the EPPI-Centre knowledge library. The Knowledge Pages facility enables users to search for the key messages within specific subject areas to which EPPI-Centre reviews have contributed.

Involving consumers in research and development agenda setting for the NHS : developing an evidence-based approach

This review aims to assess how consumers are involved in deciding what research should be undertaken and if they have any influence. This systematic review was published by EPPI-Centre in 2004. Systematic reviews aim to find as much as possible of the research relevant to the particular research questions, and use explicit methods to identify what can reliably be said on the basis of these studies.

Including diverse groups of children and young people in health promotion and public health research: a review of methodology and practice

This report combines a review of relevant literature with an in-depth look at research practice to examine the extent to which socially diverse populations have been, or might be, reflected in research. The report had a focus on health promotion and public health research with children and young people but its key messages are relevant to research in all topics with a range of age groups.

SCIE report 17: the kinds and quality of social work research in UK universities

This report is part of a programme of work by SCIE, the Scottish Institute for Excellence in Social Work Education and the Economic and Social Research Council to develop evidence-based social care by strengthening one of its core disciplines: social work research. The report proposes a framework for assessing the nature and quality of social work research in universities in the UK, and provides a reference point for building research capacity in social work. Report published by the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) in June 2007.