CPD Methods for Evidence and Evaluation

Session One 22nd May 2024 10.00am-3.00pm
Introduction to Research Methods for Evidence and Evaluation
University of Exeter Penryn Campus – Peter Lanyon Building: Room Seminar 3
 
Policy and strategy decisions and the evaluation of programmes or activities need evidence.  Rigorous social research methods can provide that evidence.  In this introductory session we will introduce participants to the main methods of research: surveys, interviews and focus groups.  When should each of these be used and what they can do for your organisation. 

Session Two 23rd May 2024 10.00am-3.00pm
Focus Groups and Individual Interviews
University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Exchange Building, Room: Red
 
What can focus groups tell you about people’s views, attitudes and beliefs and what happens when they discuss them with others? Or what about when you want to explore the experiences and views of individuals?  What are the strategies and techniques you need and what are the possibilities and limitations of focus groups and interviews.  This session will take a ‘hands on’ approach and active learning approach to these methods of research.
 
Session Three 20th June 2024 10.00am-3.00pm
How to Design and carry out a simple survey
University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Environment and Sustainability Institute, Room: Trevithick Suite 
 
Surveys are about finding out characteristics, behaviour, attitudes and beliefs.  They are fundamental if you want to know these things about groups of people with confidence.  They are essential to good evidence.  A well designed simple survey can be the backbone of the evidence organisations need.  In this session we will explore various types of survey, we design a simple survey questionnaire and we will introduce you to simple sampling techniques.
 
Please note, for this session, you should bring along a laptop or a tablet.
 
Session Four 18th July 2024 10am-3.00pm
Analysing Survey data using Excel with Special Guest Lecturer Dr Charlotte Brookfield
University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Exchange Building, Room: Yellow
 
In the previous session you will have learned how to design surveys and questionnaires and as a group, you will have designed a simple survey.  In this session you will learn how to input or transfer your data into an Excel spreadsheet.  Having done this you will learn some straightforward techniques for analysing your data.  Please note, for this session, you should bring a laptop/ tablet with Excel installed.