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Research news archive: January 2007

Institute for Social and Economic Research publish Latest findings eBulletin

31 January 2007 - Social Policy Research Centre publish Towards new indicators of disadvantage: identifying the essentials of life - aims to develop indicators that can be used alongside existing instruments (poverty lines, etc) to better identify the extent and nature of disadvantage in Australia. The findings will provide new information on the circumstances of those who use welfare services, and a better evidence base to inform policy development. This is the first bulletin from the project.

30 January 2007 - Scottish Executive publish 'A literature review on Multiple and Complex Needs' - the purpose of the review was to collate and evaluate existing research to understand the processes through which people with MCN engage, or do not engage, with services to resolve their problems.

29 January 2007 - Department for Communities and Local Government publish the 2005 Headline Report on the English House Condition Survey

Provides an account of the condition of homes and places in England. The survey covers a number of key policy areas including, decent homes, housing conditions of vulnerable households, energy efficiency of homes, quality of the local environment and the living conditions in deprived areas. The 2005 Annual Report providing more detailed analyses will be available in the Spring.

Department of Transport publish:

Attitudes to transport security after Jul 05 London bombings - looks at how Londoners and users of the London Underground responded to the attacks on the London public transport network in July 2005, and their attitudes to the potential introduction of higher security measures on the transport network. Owing to the project's timescales, a quota sample methodology was used. Consequently, the responses can be considered an overview of attitudes but are not strictly representative of the target population.
Options for monitoring public attitudes to transport issues - the importance of understanding and measuring public attitudes is increasingly recognised by the Department. In particular, attitudinal evidence is essential for the delivery of better, more customer-focussed services; it allows us to design and deliver better policies; and it is key to our understanding of travel choices and behaviours. DfT therefore commissioned this study by Roger Jowell to support wider efforts to strengthen the evidence base.
The evaluation of major local authority transport schemes: a guide - aims to support Local Authorities in evaluating their Major Transport Schemes. The guidance was written by NERA, MVA and David Symonds consultancy.

UK Centre for Evidence Based Policy and Practice publishes The practice of research reviewing 2. Ten case studies of reviews (Working Paper 25)

The working paper is based on the results of interviews with commissioners, reviewers and potential users of reviews.

24 January 2007 - National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) publish British Social Attitudes 23rd report: perspectives on a changing society

The latest Report assesses the consequences for public attitudes of a number of recent, fundamental social changes, including the emergence of radical Islamic terrorism; an ageing society; the huge growth of the internet; globalisation and increasingly competitive labour markets; and a change of government. The report covers social identities, euthanasia, work-life balance, personal care, political respect, turnout, civil liberties, trade unions, prejudice against disabled people and the internet and social ties.

23 January 2007 - Mathematica publish semimonthly update

Contents include:

Evolving strategies for health care quality reporting;
Health and medical information on the Internet: can it be trusted? ;
Examining relationship of parental body size and child's weight;
Do flu shots lower Medicare expenditures?

19 January 2007 - Scottish Executive announce that eight thousand youngsters and their parents are taking part in a major Executive-funded study - Growing up in Scotland

Growing up in Scotland tracks families' experiences, including attitudes towards children's services, pregnancy and birth, childcare, parenting, health and education.

More details on the Growing up in Scotland study

17 January 2007 - Cohort models debated

Article in The Scientist about the merits for research of forming a new 500,000-person cohort versus a cheaper, faster model that combines existing cohort studies.

17 January 2007 - deadline for members of Social Research Association (SRA), with experience of the Home Office’s use of social research, to send details to SRA

The SRA is considering making a submission to The Office of Science and Innovation (OSI) review of the natural and social science research in the Home Office. OSI has previously reviewed science in ODPM (as was), DEFRA, HSE and DCMS.

Details: DTI website

15 January 2007 - Scottish Executive publish Costs of congestion: literature based review of methodologies and analytical approaches

Research Findings

Scottish Executive research on the implementation of Mandatory Supervised Attendance Order pilot schemes in Ayr Sheriff and Glasgow District Courts

Used by policy makers to inform a decision on roll out of the pilot schemes.

More information on the Mandatory Supervised Attendance Order Pilot

11 January 2007 - Promoting integrity in science journals- Article in The Scientist

Sets out standards for roles and responsibilities of editor, authors or contributors, reviewers, sponsors, publishers, sponsoring societies and journal owners, media coverage of published science, misconduct and literature correction.

Research Methods Programme publish Briefings

Briefings on many of the projects it has funded, reporting their findings and indicating where further information about the research can be obtained.

ASSESS (SPSS Users) publish presentations from their meeting in York, 2006

Includes material by John Hall and Karen Blakey.

9 January 2007 - Mathematica publish semimonthly update

Contents include:

Children's emotional and behavioral disorders ;
Longest- running Statewide marriage initiative in the U.S.;
TANF at 10: welfare reform choices in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania;
National hospital discharge survey: trends in lung surgery

2 January 2007 - Mathematica publish semimonthly update

Contents include:

Child care: boosting quality in care provided by "kith and kin"; Mental Health screening in children: discrepancies;
UK evidence on employing people with disabilities;
Medical specialty centers and niche hospitals: how do they impact general hospitals?

Government Social Research

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Research news archive: January 2007