The Rule of Five. A quick and easy way to reduce uncertainty in business
Suppose you have a business dilemma or decision to make that seems insurmountable. The problem is complex and you don’t know where to start to begin to understand what to do. Douglas Hubbard, an internationally recognised expert in metrics, decision analysis and risk management, devised a simple example of a quick measurement anyone can do […]
Read moreThe reliability of qualitative research
Reliability is a concept that refers to producing consistent results time after time. If you commission a qualitative research or evaluation project, how can you be sure it is reliable? Don’t you need statistics to make research reliable? No. Because, although the term ‘reliability’ is usually applied as a concept for testing or evaluating quantitative […]
Read moreYou’re being watched. Observation methods in social research and evaluation
Observation is a systematic process of recording the behavioural patterns of people, objects and occurrences without questioning or otherwise communicating with them. It’s a bit like professional stalking, but with ethical and design limitations. The technique can be used as a tool for scientific enquiry when it serves a specific research purpose, is planned and […]
Read moreUnwillingness to answer. 4 reasons why people refuse to respond
If you’ve ever used a survey in a research or evaluation project, you may have encountered unanswered questions by some respondents. Even if respondents are able to answer a particular question, they may be unwilling to do so. There are usually four key reasons why respondents sometimes don’t answer questions in surveys. 1. It’s too […]
Read more3 tips for good data collection
Collecting high quality data is essential to the success of any project or initiative. Funding providers and, especially, local project managers, often play important roles in data collection. There are several things that need to be considered to ensure that data collection processes and measurement systems are stable and reliable. Incorporating these into a data […]
Read moreHow soon can I have results?
Every year it seems the Christmas season arrives earlier than the year before. Marketing and retail displays seem to be up sooner each year and I swear Christmas carols have been playing in department stores since about July. This retail marketing strategy, coupled with our constant connection to our smart phones means our ability to […]
Read moreWhat is regional transformation and how do you measure it?
Five small towns across Victoria are gearing up for a big events in the coming weeks. For the past 18 months, they have been on a journey of creative change. Each town received $350,000 for a significant artistic project intended to leave a lasting legacy to transform their town. Small Town Transformations is presented […]
Read moreRockhampton – Australia’s beef capital is cooking with creativity
Rockhampton is at a cultural crossroads. And that’s no bull. The large Central Queensland town that has been best known as the beef capital of Australia is in its final six months of a three-year pilot program, Creative Capricorn. Funded by Federal, State and Local government, Creative Capricorn is designed to use arts and culture […]
Read moreBreakups, telcos and surveys. The importance of welcoming feedback
I recently changed telecommunications companies after having been with my provider for more than 15 years. I received a call from a company on behalf of said telco with an invitation to answer some questions about why I left them after such loyalty and longevity. This pleased me, as I felt I had broken off […]
Read more10 essentials to include in a research or evaluation brief
To commission an evaluation or research project, it is helpful––to you and the consultant––to prepare an evaluation brief. This is a short document, perhaps two to four pages, outlining what the evaluation consultant needs to know. An additional benefit is that it also helps you clarify your thinking in terms of what you need from […]
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