Our Research team uses creative, participatory approaches to qualitative research.
As well as using more traditional methods – such as discussion groups, stakeholder interviews and tele-depths – we have facilitated deliberative workshops, carried out creative design sessions and moderated paired depth interviews.
Our team is adept in rapid thematic review and in using NVivo for in-depth coded analysis.
Other experience includes:
- one-off case study visits
- ethnography-based research programmes
- working closely with clients, teachers and young people to develop their own programmes of action research, and to develop capacity around formative evaluation techniques.
Our experience
In 2006 we were commissioned by the Goldsmith Review to carry out exploratory qualitative research to gain insight into overseas nationals' perceptions and experiences of gaining British citizenship. An EdComs research report, British citizenship: experience and perceptions, was published as part of this review.
In April 2008, Ofsted commissioned EdComs to conduct qualitative research with mothers and young people. This was done in order understand how Ofsted's communications could better meet the needs of users. We used a series of pre-tasked discussion groups to explore the issues. This work led to a further commission in 2009 to develop a readers' panel to review various Ofsted publications, using stakeholders including parents, teachers and lecturers.
We are currently working with the Department of Health to develop a series of best-practice case studies for teachers to use in order to develop successful interventions across six key health areas.