Here’s a taste of my work

This page illustrates the range of projects that have benefitted from my evaluations and other research. My early evaluations were full independent evaluations; now I increasingly work with projects to support them in their own evaluations.

Evaluation Contribution

PLUS’s Circles Of Support scheme: advice on evaluation to date

PLUS developed a Circles of Support scheme in Stirlingshire schools to support pupils with disabilities. They had collected feedback from the pupils, parents, teachers and playground assistants. I helped them review the questionnaires, and map out how the information informs the project’s aims and objectives.

The Haven: Analysis and reporting of data, revision of questionnaire

The Haven had collected feedback from clients and carers who had used their drop-in centre, and also those who had received complementary therapy sessions. I analysed the results and prepared a report which could to boost funding applications. I also made suggestions to improve their questionnaire.

The Haven have come back to me for help to modify & test their questionnaire, so it meets reporting requirements for Big Lottery funding.

Evaluating Together

The Dalriada Project: evaluation advice and ongoing help

The Dalriada Project, which comprises 10 individual projects in the Lochgilphead area, built evaluation in at the start of their four years of funding.

I provide a mix of advice and hands-on help.

So far we have: linked the tasks of the 10 projects to a series of Project and Heritage Lottery Fund objectives, developed an Evaluation Plan, set up monitoring systems which link to Board supervision, and set up and run a Visitor Survey, including training volunteers to carry out interviews. I have recently drawn together an Evaluation Report for the end of the first year of implementation.

Full Evaluation

Evaluation of SNH’s Sharing Good Practice (SGP) Programme

A comprehensive evaluation of the programme through: observation of three SGP Events, phone surveys with participants and providers, review of Feedback Forms. Design of a Monitoring and Evaluation System.

More…

Evaluation of the Excellence through Education and Business Links (EEBL) programme

A full independent evaluation of the EEBL Teacher Placement Scheme, starting with a rationalisation of objectives, then analysis of extensive existing data and a survey of teachers and businesses involved. The results were shared at a stakeholder workshop.

More…

Other independent evaluations

  • Evaluation of Inverness College’s Vocational Pathways Programme*
  • Evaluation of the HIE Individual Skills Grant Scheme*
  • Evaluation of the pilot New Futures Programme
  • Evaluation of the South of Scotland Childminding Business Development Project
  • Evaluation of the first year of the SCMA Networking & Marketing Project
  • Evaluation of SNH National Nature Reserve Publications^
  • Evaluation of learning from interpretive facilities at six Visitor Attractions^
  • Pilot of Guidelines for Visitor Surveys for NNR managers^
  • Evaluation of a Community Helpline website^
  • Evaluation of the Western Isles Opportunities Programme
  • Evaluation of SCMA Highland Project
  • Evaluation of Young Enterprise in the Western Isles
  • Evaluation of Education Business Partnerships in the Highlands & Islands

* A Rural Insights project
^ A Strathspey Surveys project

Training and coaching

  • Overview of Evaluation
  • Interview skills
  • Phone interviewing
  • Use of Survey Monkey for online surveys
  • How to prepare a questionnaire
  • How to analyse open-ended questionnaires with Pivot Tables
  • Report writing

Other research

I also help projects with other research, most of which comprises surveys and feasibility studies.

Survey of Construction Industry Views in Argyll and Bute, 2008, for Construction Excellence.

Scoping Study for Skills for Work Courses in the Health Professions, Rural Insights, Hutt J and May Johnstone, 2007, for Highland Council.

Shetland’s North Isles Skills Audit, Hutt J, Johnstone M, & Strathspey Surveys, 2006, for Highlands and Islands Enterprise. Access the pdf report from: http://www.hie.co.uk/shetland/publications

Feasibility Study for an Apprenticeship Support Scheme, Rural Insights and Johnstone M, 2005, for Loch Lomond and the Trossachs Community Partnership. See the report at: http://communityfuturespartnership.org.uk/areawide.html

Investigation of the Barriers Lone Parents face in Accessing Work, Johnstone M and Strathspey Surveys, 2004, for Highland Employer Coalition.

Research into Work Experience for Highland pupils, Rural Insights & May Johnstone, 2005, for Highland Council

Survey of Recreational Use of the Nevis Area, Strathspey Surveys & May Johnstone, 2003, for Highland Council.

Investigation of Options for the future status of the SCMA Highland Project, 2001, May Johnstone, for HIE and SCMA Highland.

Investigation of Work-related Childcare needs in Fife, May Johnstone, 1991, for Fife Enterprise.

Market Research for a Women into Management Course, May Johnstone, 1988, for Open College.

Would you like to take up my offer of a no-obligation 20 minute Free Consult?