Government Social Research
Presents evidence from a systematic review to examine the effectiveness of criminal justice and treatment programmes in reducing drug related crime.
Studies were included in the review on the basis of strict criteria including those relating to the scope of the study and its quality - level 3 or above on the Scientific Methods Scale adopted by Sherman et al (1997). The report presents two separate analyses of the results: a quantitative narrative review and a meta analysis of raw data from those studies where this information was available.
25 May 2005 - The Department for Transport published Road Safety Strategy Division Research Programme: Summary of planned research
Contains outlines of the new road safety research projects to be started in 2005-06.
Looks at building understanding of the role of research within local government, and the factors that contribute to research effectiveness.
The report includes a number of recommendations where action is needed to improve local authority research effectiveness in the future. It also offers examples of local authority good practice in this area.
Examines the impact of Australia's unique social and cultural environment on the next generation.
Many Western nations have established longitudinal studies that track the development of young people from birth to early adulthood. The value of these studies for addressing key policy issues is being increasingly recognised, and is reflected in calls by national and international experts for future studies to be designed with the policy focus foremost.
Program submissions are now being invited for the Sixth Annual Campbell Colloquium
To be held in Los Angeles, California, USA, on February 22-24, 2006. Deadline for submission is August 15, 2005.
Various session formats are available and formats that encourage involvement and participation are particularly welcome. Sessions to be given in Spanish are also welcome.
The theme of this year's Colloquium is: Producing Systematic Reviews of Evidence: Debates, Standards, and Examples. Eligible submissions will be related to the Colloquium theme or more generally to systematic reviews and issues related to systematic reviews in the social sciences and education. Presentations from all interested parties are welcome, including researchers, policy makers, and practitioners.
The following session formats are available: poster, multi-paper symposium, panel discussion, roundtable discussion, workshop, and expert office hours.
Questions may be emailed to David B. Wilson , C2 Colloquium Scientific Program Chair at
Publication of: Better evaluation for evidence-based policy: place randomized trials in education, criminology, welfare, and health / Robert Boruch, Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science , 2005 599(1) complete issue, May 2005.
May 2005 edition GSR News Bulletin
The Government Social Research Unit has developed a Masters programme in Policy Analysis & Evaluation with the Institute of Education, University of London starting in October 2005.
New Research Programme: Creating Sustainable Growth in Europe
The Anglo-German Foundation has launched a major new research initiative. Under the title 'Creating Sustainable Growth in Europe', this initiative will address the linked themes of: Innovation, Productivity and Growth; Environment and Resources; and Welfare, Employment and Social Justice. It will have a budget of £3 million and will run until the end of 2009. Individual programmes of research activity within the initiative will be eligible for funding of up to £1 million each.
The Government Social Research service has a strong interest in developing tools for social policy evaluation. If it is to use research and analysis effectively to inform decision making, it depends on that research to provide high quality and reliable outputs.