- Details
- Category: Core Skills
- Published: Wednesday, 21 May 2014 10:44
- Written by: Matt Pye - HWD
Overview
This two day course is specifically designed for early-career government social researchers (typically 3 - 18 months into service) working within the Government Social Research (GSR) profession. It aims to develop practical skills for working effectively with policy and delivery colleagues, helping to ensure that social research is commissioned, communicated and used appropriately within government.
Please note; this is not a research methods course. The course does not cover research design, data collection, or analysis techniques. Instead, it focuses on how to work within government to manage, support and use social research effectively.
Developed by a former Chief Government Social Researcher, the course equips participants with the practical knowledge, confidence, and skills to support evidence-based policymaking and to navigate the wider research and policy environment.
The course draws on a wide range of experience and includes sessions with research customers, managers and contractors, and there is plenty of time for discussion and sharing experience.
Key Components
- Dealing with problems in research management
- A research manager in government
- From research question to specification
- Procurement: a legislative framework
- Evaluating tenders
- Negotiating in difficult situations
- External research Q&A panel
- Networking with colleagues
Learning Objectives
- Understand the role of social research within government and its importance in evidence-based decision-making.
- Develop skills in commissioning social research projects, including designing research specification, defining research objectives, scoping projects, and selecting appropriate research methodologies.
- Learn effective strategies for managing relationships with customers, stakeholders, and research contractors, including clear communication, collaboration, and addressing potential conflicts.
- Cultivate critical thinking abilities to assess the quality and relevance of research proposals, methodologies, and data sources.
- Build an understanding of data management and confidentiality practices in social research, ensuring the protection of sensitive information.