Policy Hub
GCSRO Evaluation seminars Spring 2003: Policy Evaluation and Action Research- What is its contribution?
This series discussed the principles and issues of action research and its use in policy evaluation. It addressed the methods and approaches used in action research.
Presentations are large and may be slow to load
'Action Research for performance, learning and evaluation' - Elliot Stern, Evaluation Studies, Tavistock Institute
There has been an upsurge in interest in action research. The seminar gave an overview of action research approaches and explored some of the strengths and limits of action research including its usefulness when linked to evaluation as well as 'local learning'.
Action research - proper evaluation or just doing something interesting?' Murray Stewart, University of the West of England
Evaluation research contracts increasingly incorporate an element of action learning - aiming to inform practice, to demonstrate that 'what works' can work, or simply to engage local stakeholders with the research process. How can action research fulfil competing objectives such as these, and what methodological challenges does it pose? The presentation addressed these issues using a number of examples from recent policy evaluations.
'Action research in local government context' - Roger Sykes, Local Government Association
The presentation introduced the research function work in support of LGA campaigning, lobbying and policy development; improving links with the Government research community; leading on data and statistics between central and local government; and providing support to local authorities on research matters.
'Re-evaluation of the neighbourhood crime fighting teams, West Midlands Police - Geoff Berry, Crime Reduction and Social Inclusion Unit, Government Office - West Midlands
This presentation considered how an action research approach was used to underpin the evaluation of the neighbourhood crime fighting teams, operated by West Midlands Police and assessed the value and relevance of the action research approach in practice.
Relevant and rigorous? - Action research evaluation and practitioner research in health and social care programmes in Wales.' - Ian Shaw, Department of Social Policy and Social Work, University of York
The seminar reflected on a study of small-scale, local research and evaluation carried out by social care practitioners, and considered its relevance for policy evaluation and action research.
'Improving performance - The role of real - time evaluation in the 'New Deal For Communities' programme' - Graham Duncan, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
The evaluation of NDC is formative as well as summative, providing regular 'real-time' feedback to government and NDC partnerships about progress so far. The aim is to provide evidence which could feedback into the performance management of the programme at local, regional and national level. The presentation looked at how the evaluation was designed to achieve this; and considered experience to date