Managing Practitioner-Researchers in Using N6: Evaluations by Dr. Chih Hoong Sin

1. Teaching / managing practitioner-researchers in using N6: evaluations Dr Chih Hoong Sin

2. Introduction • Qualitative data, QDAS and evaluations • Expectations for, and uses of • Three case studies: • Different team sizes, distribution, abilities • Different requirements by funders • Different type and amount of qualitative data • Lessons learned

3. Qualitative data and evaluation • Cabinet Office guidance (Spencer et al. 2003) but still little understanding of quals and of QDAS • Quant components of evaluation tend to be thought of as remit of ‘specialists’ • Quals thought of as something that ‘non-specialists’ can do: “just ask a few questions”

4. QDAS and evaluation • ‘Quality stamp’ and ‘wow factor’ • Unrealistic expectations (e.g. quick, so let’s collect more data!) • Lack planning to interrogate data systematically and thoroughly: • Count • Describe • Theorise (under-performed) • Can damage quals and QDAS enterprise

5. The study: 3-year, multi-component, programme/case studies, ODPM Around 100 SSIs in each of 4 research cycles Funder’s requirements: Need outcome data Need ‘richness’ of local accounts The team: Ranged from 15 individuals employed by 2 organisations, multi-site, to 6 individuals in 1 organisation Most have no quals and QDAS experience. 1 with quals expertise but not in QDAS Case 1: Street Wardens Evaluation

6. Street Wardens Evaluation • How it worked: • Trained as a group, outside expertise • Coding tree designed by one person, refined through group discussion • Codes as descriptive themes • Time to practice with real data • Everyone coded assigned documents in entirety • Coding conducted multi-site • Centrally merged, weekly basis • Ongoing support, internal • Analysis by smaller core team, mainly descriptive

7. The study: Intended for 18 months, multi-component, Home Office 21 SSIs, 3 focus groups Funder’s requirement: Hard outcome data Reduce quals The team: 1 full-time on-site researcher, 2 others All have quals training at graduate level, no QDAS experience Case 2: Evaluation of MMDU

8. Evaluation of MMDU • How it worked: • Trained as a group, internal • All involved in design/conduct of field work • All involved in generating coding structure • Time to practice with real data • Each would code all documents using certain codes • Merged weekly • Regular group analysis and discussion, mainly descriptive but rudimentary theory-building

9. The study: 2-year evaluation, process and outcome, NDST 10 SSIs in first research cycle Funder’s requirement: Hard outcome data ‘Grand’ theory The team: 6 individuals, with 2 on quals/QDAS 1 with no quals experience, 1 extensive quals experience but not in QDAS Case 3: Evaluation of NDST

10. Evaluation of NDST • How it worked: • Trained as a group, internal • All involved in design/conduct of field work • Small number of documents, temptation not to use N6 • Analysis and coding together • Two individuals working closely and in constant discussion • Theory-building

11. Lessons learned • Balancing research ideals with pragmatism (size of team, abilities, distribution, needs) • Group training important • You don’t need to know everything • Make it real (it won’t self-destruct!) • Play Familiarity Confidence • Look ahead (e.g. housekeeping, longitudinal work)