Tips to help with your evaluation
I hope you find a Tip to help you. If there's a topic for which you'd like some tips, please contact me.
Myth of the judge
Posted in Getting started | Leave a Comment
You may be feeling defensive and uncomfortable at the prospect of your project being evaluated.
It feels as if you’re heading to court where you’ll be cross-examined, criticised and then judged. Perhaps you, or your project, will be found wanting with uncomfortable consequences for everyone. Read more…
How to oversee your project research
Posted in Commissioning, Overseeing | Leave a Comment
You’ve heaved a sigh of relief now that the research has been contracted out; time now to get on with all the other things on your plate!
Imagine you had commissioned builders to build your house extension; would you just leave them to it? More likely you would want to check how things are going, maybe even adjust things a little as you go along. Read more…
Questionnaire response rates: three ways to attract more returns
Posted in Surveys - general | Leave a Comment
A good survey response rate can be tricky to achieve.
You know your respondents are busy people, and you’ve heard that a proliferation of surveys has led to ‘survey fatigue’.
Yet your clients’ feedback is critical to the continued funding of your project. Read more…
Seven pitfalls you’ll avoid by piloting your survey
Posted in Piloting | Leave a Comment
Once you’ve chosen your survey method, and developed your list of questions, it’s tempting to get right on with the survey. Time is probably egging you on too! But wait a minute, would you cater for a wedding party without trying out the recipes first?
However well you and others have thought out your survey, there’s bound to be at least one glitch to resolve. Much better to take the time to identify them at the beginning than find them after you have run your full survey. Read more…
Five steps to hassle-free evaluations
Posted in Getting started | 1 Comment
Chances are the upcoming evaluation of your project is going to put a strain on your time and resources.
You want it to go smoothly, so you can keep your other work moving. Here are five steps which will help you keep your evaluation hassle-free. Read more…
Selecting the most appropriate research tender
Posted in Commissioning | Leave a Comment
You have six tenders sitting in front of you; now comes the challenge of checking them all out and deciding how to proceed.
This task reminds me of going to buy a pair of jeans for my teenage daughter. First I need to be very clear of her size and current fashion preferences, then there’s a fair chance I’ll get a pair she likes! Read more…
Three questions to answer before initiating research
Posted in Getting started | Leave a Comment
Before you start out on a journey you’re usually clear on three things: where you’re starting from, where you want to end up, and what you’ll do when you get there. Without answers you may end up where you don’t really want to go!
It’s pretty much the same with research, you need to know where you are now, what you want to know, and what you’ll do with the information you get. Read more…
Six ways to ease report writing
Posted in Writing it up | Leave a Comment
It’s easy to put off the task of writing up that report!
Here are six tried and tested tips to make report writing more approachable.
They will help you get started quickly. Read more…
A foolproof structure for your research report
Posted in Writing it up | Leave a Comment
You’ve collected and analysed the research information your project needs, now the prospect of writing it up feels a bit daunting.
The good news is there’s no need to reinvent the wheel.
Here’s a tried and tested template that works! Read more…
Checklist to prepare an invitation to tender
Posted in Commissioning | Leave a Comment
Summarising what your project is about, and asking questions of potential evaluators can feel daunting.
This checklist will help you benefit from the experience of others, put your invitation to tender together quickly, and receive robust tenders.
Read more…