Building research capacity

Because of the high demand for places on the first series of seminars a decision was taken to build on this success and to once again offer the opportunity for voluntary and community organisations to build their research capacity.

About the four seminars

The four half-day events are primarily aimed at researchers and policy and information officers in voluntary and community sector organisations who are involved in processing or producing research for their organisations.

The four sessions covered:

1. Accessing and utilising sources of research
2. Designing research projects
3. Data analysis
4. Report writing and dissemination

Two seminars have already taken place this year.

Session 1: Accessing and utilising sources of research

The first session at Queens University, Belfast focused on accessing and utilising sources of research. This included: NINIS, introduction to ARK, Household Panel Survey, using government resources and statistics.

The session started with Cathyrn McBryne from NISRA giving an insight into NINIS, The Northern Ireland Neighbourhood Information Service. This is a free web-based service which provides statistical information on Northern Ireland’s population and socio-economic characteristics at the small area or local neighbourhood level.

Cathyrn's presentation included examining how voluntary and community organisations could use the information from NINIS for research, community audits and funding bids. Paula Devine and Katrina Lloyd from ARK give an outline of the Northern Ireland Young Life and Times Survey and the Northern Ireland Household Panel Survey. Thirty five people participated in this course and the feedback was very positive.

Session 2: Designing research projects

The second session took place at NICVA and examined questionnaire design, focus groups, interview skills, audits and evaluations, ethical considerations in doing research, involving peer researchers. Dr Dirk Schubotz and Paula Devine from ARK Young Life and Times were the presenters at this session. The session looked at the advantages and disadvantages of the different methods of research design and when best to use particular research methods to gain the appropriate results required. Over thirty people attended this session and again feedback was very positive.

“I really enjoyed this workshop. The speakers were very enthusiastic and engaging.”

“Was definitely worth attending. Very useful information and of skills share.”

Session 3: Data Analysis

The third session took place at Queens University, Belfast and focused on questionnaire coding and data input, basic statistics charts and analysing and presenting qualitative data. The session started with Professor Robert Millerfrom ARK giving an introduction session on SPSS and data inputting. Dr Dirk Schubotz from ARK was also a presenter at this session. Dr Schubotz provided practical advice on how to code, analyse and quantify open ended research responses.

“Very useful and very informative. It was just quite a lot to take in one session.”

“More statistical analysis in SPSS would be useful. Enjoyed the session on qualitative analysis.'

“More time for inserting data and using edit would have been useful - otherwise excellent.”

Session 4: Report writing and dissemination

The fourth session took place at NICVA and examined structuring a research report, writing an executive summary, disseminating data, evidence based policy, writing a press-release and giving a presentation.

Paula Devine from ARK Young Life and Times, Leeann Brady and Paul McGill from NICVA were the presenters at this session. Emma McKenna from the Northern Ireland Science Shop, which is a link between the universities and the community, also gave a presentation on the role of the Science Shop and its links with non-profit groups throughout Northern Ireland, such as carrying out research.

If you would like further information and presentations from the session, please contact Andrea Thornbury at andrea.thornbury@nicva.org or telephone 028 9087 7777.