Government Social Research
29 July 2005 - Department for Transport published How should the ex post evaluation of trunk road schemes be enhanced?
This report considers the feasibility of enhancing the way in which the Highways Agency and DfT evaluate the impacts of major road schemes. It concludes that it would be possible and worthwhile to enhance existing approaches. The researchers recommended a less mechanical, more targeted and cost-effective approach, with evaluations covering a few key impacts specific to scheme circumstances and information needs.
The Department of Health is developing a new National Health Research Strategy. The aim of the strategy is to ensure that the NHS contribution to health research is a centrepiece of the Government's commitment to making the UK the best place in the world for health research, development and innovation. The closing date for responses to the consultation is 21 October 2005.
27 July 2005 - Concern over ERC funding
An article in The Scientist of 26 July 2002 reports scientists' worries that budget cuts may harm the European Research Council.
20 July 2005 - Australia and New Zealand Health Policy publish 'The role of data and evidence in 'public' policy making - obesity'.
It examines how evidence was used in setting the agenda, influencing a Summit debate and shaping the policy responses which emerged. It demonstrates that policy action will move forward in the absence of strong research evidence.
20 July 2005 - EU funding petition finds support
A recent article published in The Scientist has reported that scientists, in a petition containing almost 17,000 signatures, have called upon European political leaders to match their words on research, the knowledge-based economy and the Lisbon Agreement, by ensuring a significant increase in the Seventh Framework Programme budget.
19 July 2005 - ERC scientific council announced
European scientists have welcomed the announcement of the first members of the scientific council of the European Research Council (ERC) in a recent article in The Scientist. The new science funding body, due to begin operations in 2007, will be responsible for overseeing the broad scientific strategy of the ERC and ensuring that the best research projects get funding by a competitive peer review.
18 July 2005 - Research 2006: Connections
Call for Contributors published. The Call for Contributors for Research 2006, the MRS Annual Conference, has been published, closing date 9 September. The theme is Connections. The programme will explore the ways in which research connects organisations, people (clients, researchers, respondents) and ideas (strategies, new thinking).
18 July 2005 - Ethnic Research Network Newsletter - June issue published
The MRS Ethnic Research Network has published the June issue of its quarterly newsletter. It includes: research into British Asians and identity, Somalis in Camden, and educational attainment amongst ethnic minorities; information on the Pakistani community; and a review of David Blunkett's recent speech on national identity and patriotism.
15 July 2005 - GSR Bulletin
The July edition of the GSR Bulletin contains all the latest developments in research methods, research outputs and research funding, and a feature on the Social Science Research Network website.
A research report which presents the findings of a qualitative study that explores the benefits of Level 2 vocational qualifications for adult learners.
13 July 2005 - Liz Crosses Desert for Good Cause
Liz Rayner, Team Leader for Poverty Research in the Social Research Division at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) completed the 151 mile Marathon des Sables in Morocco, raising funds for the North London Hospice in the process.
13 July 2005 - Quick But Not Dirty: Rapid Evidence Assessments
An article in the Spring edition of the APSAC Advisor describes Rapid Evidence Assessments, a new approach to harnessing robust research evidence for policy makers in a more focussed and timely way than many other secondary research methods. The article describes the background to the first two REAs conducted, introduces the methodology and considers case study examples in detail. It concludes by discussing challenges and future implications for the REA approach.
12 July 2005 - Semi-monthly newsletter from Mathematica
Contents include:
1. Insuring the Uninsured: A Look at Two Opposing Points of View 2. Family Formation Issues: TANF and Food Stamp Use in Two-Parent Families 3. Maternity Group Homes: New Report Fills Gap in Knowledge Base 4. Methods Update: Statistical Power in Experimental Studies of Education.
11 July 2005 - New for 2006! Qualitative Research in Organizations and Management, an international journal
Edited by Professor Catherine Cassell and Dr Gillian Symon and building in part on their RMP project 'Benchmarking Good Practice In Qualitative Management Research'.
11 July 2005 - The first issue of e-Social Science News published
Gives a general introduction to e-social science and the current NCeSS research programme.
8 July 2005 - New GSR website
The GSR website has been republished with a new look and refreshed content. The new site will offer an improved service to the network of government social researchers and the wider social research community.
5 July 2005 - Inside the Workplace - the first findings from the fifth Workplace Employment Relations Survey have been published
Based on interviews with around 3,200 workplace managers (2,195 in the Cross-Section Survey and 991 in respect of the Panel Survey) and almost 1,000 employee representatives. Over 20,000 employees completed questionnaires. This represents response rates of 64 per cent, 77 per cent, 78 per cent and 61 per cent, respectively. The main fieldwork for the survey ran from February 2004 to April 2005 and was conducted by the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen).
Recent recruits and more experienced researchers joined Sue Duncan, Chief Government Social Researcher, to provide insights into their careers.