What we do
Our research systematically assesses policies, programs and practices in order to measure their social or economic impact.
Our approach emphasises systematic problem formulation, data collection, and in-depth analysis to address research questions that are not readily answered by routine reporting or automated data analytics.
Our research approach works to explain why factors may drive specific outcomes and where statistical modelling is employed, the relative impact of identified drivers can also be quantified.
Our services include:
- Demographic analysis and trends forecasting
- Program evaluations
- Strategic planning research and industry wide studies
- Policy and stakeholder engagement research
Social research can yield many benefits across industry sectors:
Business – social research can equip organisations with understanding that can improve business practices, improve understanding of the client base, or inform repositioning strategies within industry, market, policy or economic contexts.
Government – investment in quality social research can help to understand the underpinning conditions that make communities great places to live and work by measuring the social and economic impact of policies, programs or interventions;
Not-for-profit – social research can establish the impact of services on end-user needs as well as measure the social and economic impact of activities. Findings can be used to improve service needs, support funding applications, and for policy lobbying.
For example, social research can address questions such as:
- To what extent has a program impacted on performance outcomes?
- How are communities likely to respond to a proposed initiative?
- What are the social and economic impacts achieved by not-for-profit services?
- How can operational structures and processes be improved to create greater efficiencies in communication flow and customer service?
- What can we draw from existing student enrolment data assets to identify vulnerable cohorts at risk of attrition and improve student retention?