1. Clare Madge- University of Leicester

2. Structure of presentation 1.Background to the project 2.Tour of the site 3.Module detail 4.How can it be used? 5.Evaluation

3. 1. Project background Programme: ESRC Research Methods Programme (Phase 2) Period of project: April 04 to July 06 Total amount of award from ESRC: After indexation: £100,360.59 (1st round) The project team: -Clare Madge (Geog) -Henrietta O Connor (CLMS) -Jane Wellens (Educational Developer) -Rob Shaw (Learning Technologist) -Tristram Hooley (PG Training Coordinator) -Julia Meek (Evaluation Consultant)

4. Project aims 1.To produce and evaluate a high-quality online portal to provide training in online research methods; 2.To act as a self-supporting online resource focusing on web-based questionnaires, virtual synchronous and asynchronous interviews; 3.To draw on successful good practice case studies, cover ethical issues of online research, provide resource links and technical guidance.

5. Why ORM? Training in ORM recognized area of need with a current shortage of provision. E.g. recent Consultation Exercise by National Centre for Research Methods (NCRM) and ESRC Postgraduate Training Guidelines (2005). Prior to the launch of the Exploring Online Research Methods package no training programme in ORM existed.

6. 2. Tour of the site: Key sections Site link

7. Modules Module index

8. Type of content Methodological complexity Case studies Learning activities Resources Referencing systems Print version

9. 3. Module detail- example http://www.geog.le.ac.uk/orm/index.htm

10. 4. How can site be used? Stand alone for individual researcher. As part of training modules. Training events- workshops etc. Characterised by flexibility learning styles and strategies and differing levels of experience of research in general and on-line methods in particularly.

11. 5. Evaluation Critical view External evaluators. Rigorous evaluation. Social Science Information Gateway/AoIR Google statistics: 3 month period (3 Apr - date) Requests = 21000 Average request for pages per day 426 Distinct hosts served = 6100 From 70 countries (30% UK, 18% commercial) Peer feedback To be determined? Usage and quality of research.

12. www.geog.le.ac.uk/orm onlinerm@le.ac.uk