1. Research and Evidence Kate Waller Information Manager

2. What are funders looking for?

3. Funders are looking for well defined problems/needs You must define the problem in words that funders can understand and in a way that makes them want to do something about it Try not to generalise and make bland assertions e.g. there is a serious drugs problem and the problem is growing Use data to paint a picture don’t just tell them everything you know

4. Don’t assume the reader understands the problems you are describing What is the nature of the problem you are tackling? –e.g. More and more people are developing long-term health problems through lack of exercise How do you know the need exists? –Where possible the most important evidence will come for the people who benefit from your work e.g. surveys amongst young people in your area How widespread is it? –You need to evidence your claims e.g. over 50% of children age 11- 16 watch more than 3 hours of television each night

5. How does it fit with the bigger picture Are there any social trends which demonstrate that the problem will increase in the next few years? –Prevention is usually cheaper than cure Are you building on work you or other organisations do to address the particular need? What are the specific features of your area or community that make support for your project particularly important?

6. BIGs Reaching Communities programme judgement criterion Whether there is a clearly defined need or needs that the project will address Whether the applicant has carried out or referenced open and inclusive research and consultation that is recent and relevant to the project and demonstrates a clear need Whether the consultation has been extensive and detailed and included potential beneficiaries and all relevant stakeholders Whether the consultation clearly shows that the project will fill identified gaps of add value to existing provision

7. Sources of evidence

8. Primary vs Secondary data sources Data collected by you (or on your behalf) Specific to your needs and you control the quality Usually costs more and takes longer Existing data that has been collected and analysed by someone else e.g. Census, other peoples surveys –Desk research Usually cheap and quick Data can be too old and not specific enough for your needs Your choice is likely to be determined by time, budget and the need you are trying to demonstrate PrimarySecondary

9. Secondary data sources

10. Surrey-i: Open data source

11. Area profiles: CCG, Local Authority, Ward, Lower Super Output area

12. A treasure trove of information Has a wide range of information and should be your first port of call for open data from government sources and Surrey's public service organisations. Surrey-i is also home to: –Census data e.g. age, ethnicity, carers, disability –Future populations predictions (POPPI, PANSI) –Joint Strategic Needs Assessment –Surrey Residents Survey –School Census –Mosaic Public Sector Interactive Guide –Community Foundation for Surrey: Surrey Uncovered –Active People Survey: Sport England –Voluntary, Community and Faith sector page

13. The VCFS Page: Sharing what we have

14. Other information sources Projecting Older People Population Information –www.poppi.org.uk Projecting Adult Needs and Services Information –www.pansi.org.uk Public Health Observatories (Part of Public Health England) –www.apho.org.uk ONS (Office of National Statistics) –www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk Official labour market statistics –www.nomisweb.co.uk

15. Other sources of information National charities –NCVO –NAVCA Universities and Think Tanks –Third Sector Research Centre (TSRC ) –The King’s Fund –New Philanthropy Capital –New Economics Foundation Fellow VCFS organisations in Surrey Be sure about the credibility of your data source. Have you heard of them? How have they compiled the data?

16. Reporting secondary data Reassures the reader about the credibility of the data; provides an important link to the original methodology

17. Primary data

18. Primary data: Quantitative v Qualitative Gathering answers to fixed (closed) questions From a large number of people – 100+ Measures the incidence of views and opinions Provides statistically valid results Results provided in the form of tabulations, quoting actual percentages Specifically uncovers thoughts and opinions Exploratory, investigative and descriptive Normally conducted with relatively small numbers of people Unstructured or semi- structured (open) questions Not statistically valid or a measurement tool Quantitative e.g. surveysQualitative

19. Primary data: Evaluation and evidence of need Primary data is used for evidencing need AND evaluating projects/funding streams 87% of grant holders state that they use questionnaires/surveys as a method of evaluation Based on a survey of 404 grant holders from across the UK commissioned by the Big Lottery Fund Source: An evaluation of Big Lottery Funds’s Monitoring and Evaluation Policy for grant holders, Edcoms, 2013

20. Qualitative research can be more than anecdotal Conducted by an independent moderator –Avoid bias Research participants are selected at random –Not just your best friends! All interviews are taped and transcribed –The original data source is kept and made available for scrutiny Analysis is rigorous and methodical e.g. grid analysis –Again, making it open to scrutiny The more robust the methodology the more credible the findings

21. Example of grid analysis

22. Quantitative research considerations Method –Online, telephone, face-to-face, self completion Sampling –What is the total ‘universe’? –What ‘confidence’ level do you wish to achieve? –How are you going to select your sample i.e. random sampling? –What is the potential return rate? There are numerous considerations but the key is to ensure that the method and sample are fit for purpose and fit with your objectives

23. Quantitative research tips You will only gets answers to the questions you ask –Make sure all questions fit with you overall objectives for the research/what you are being asked to measure –Avoid unnecessary questions Think about the person answering the questions –Test your survey if you can Beware of survey fatigue –Don’t over-survey your audience –Minimize respondent effort –Write good questions The better the research/evaluation design the more reliable the responses/evidence

24. Write good questions Ask questions whose answers you plan to use Ask questions that can be answered meaningfully Avoid leading questions –Do you appreciate our service a little or a lot? Ask as few questions as possible to get the information you need Don’t ask questions for which there is already data available Where possible use multiple choice responses –It is more effort to write in a box! –Make sure the you cover all options

25. We are here to help Eleanor Swann Fundraising Officer Tel: 01483 447 142 Email: eleanors@surreyca.org.uk Kate Waller Information Manager Tel: 01483 447 135 Email: katew@surreyca.org.uk