TNS-BMRB is well known for doing innovative and groundbreaking research. We are frequently asked to undertake developmental studies to inform challenging research problems, whether involving sampling hard-to-reach populations, broaching sensitive or ‘taboo’ topics or re-modelling existing surveys to reflect changing policy needs.
We put together highly experienced, multi-disciplinary in house teams of qualitative and quantitative researchers, methodologists and statisticians to ensure that these projects benefit from the best available technical expertise and innovative thinking. Where appropriate, we draw on our extensive network of expert partners to provide additional specialist knowledge.
Examples of feasibility and developmental studies that we have conducted in recent years include:
- Development work for the NSPCC’s National Survey of Child Safety and Victimisation, the largest study of child maltreatment conducted in the UK. The work involved developing a sampling strategy for a random probability survey among parallel samples of parents, children and young adults; and an extensive phase cognitive testing and fieldwork piloting among the general population and young people who had experienced maltreatment.
- A comprehensive year-long programme of work for the Home Office to develop the questionnaire and fieldwork procedures for extending the British Crime Survey to include offences committed against children aged 10-15. The work included in-depth qualitative research, cognitive testing, in-home piloting and two field trials.
- A study for DWP’s Delivery Directorate to develop and implement a series of metrics to measure how customers of contracted provision rate their service providers in order to inform future customer choice. The study involved qualitative interviews with customers and key stakeholders to develop a set of metrics that was then tested quantitatively among a sample of customers.
- A study for DWP to explore options for a new customer satisfaction survey for Jobcentre Plus, in particular relating to the timing of the research, sample composition and the future content of the questionnaire. The study involved a literature review, consultation with stakeholders and a questionnaire development stage that included cognitive interviews and a full scale pilot among customers.
- A study for DCLG, conducted in consortium with the Centre for Housing Policy at York University, to develop a design for a national survey of families living in temporary accommodation, which the consortium was subsequently commissioned to conduct. The study involved literature reviews, qualitative research with homeless families and consultation with local authorities and explored the logistics of drawing samples from multiple local authority databases, complex issues of stock and flow sampling and the practicality of conducting fieldwork among a mobile and often ‘chaotic’ population.
- A study for the Department of Health to establish a methodology for a national survey of people with learning difficulties. TNS- BMRB led a consortium that conducted the feasibility study and subsequent national survey of around 3,000 adults with learning difficulties, involving people with learning difficulties within the research team throughout the process to ensure that sampling and interviewing approaches were inclusive and that the findings were reported in a way that was accessible to the target population.
For more information on our feasibility work, contact Bruce Hayward and Mark Peters.