Evaluation of prisoner learning: Initial impacts and delivery

The aim of the research was a process and impact evaluation of prisoner education. Looking specifically at the impacts on post-release reoffending, employment, benefit dependency and learning outcomes amongst Offender Learning and Skills Service learners in phases 3 and 4 (OLASS3 and OLASS4), as well as changes made to service delivery under OLASS4 (which started in August 2012)

Factors holding back small third sector organizations' engagement with the local public sector

In many developed countries there has been a shift from grants to contracts as a source of local public sector funding of the third sector. Smaller third sector organizations may struggle to compete for this funding due to the complex process of accessing and maintaining this funding and conveying their capabilities to funding providers. This study utilizes data from the UK to determine what factors increase these administrative and communication barriers for smaller organizations. Resources in terms of income and volunteers affect perceptions of the process of obtaining funding. A solution may be standardization of evaluation and monitoring, but this may lead to isomorphism and loss of variety of provision. Better two way communication may allow local authorities retain variety in public service provision through improved knowledge of their partners

Public Attitudes to Animal Research Survey, 2016

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.The Public Attitudes to Animal Research Survey, 2016 was conducted between 4th March and 4th April 2016 with a representative sample of the adult population (aged 15+) of Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). It was commissioned by the Office for Life Sciences, a joint body that is part of the UK Government's Department of Health and Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. The aim of the survey was to understand changing public awareness of, and attitudes towards, the use of animals in research in the UK. It covers topic areas including public awareness of animal research, public knowledge of what is permitted in the UK, views on regulation of the sector as well as public interest in finding out more about the use of animals in research. This is the second wave of a tracker survey that initially ran in 2014, which was also conducted by Ipsos MORI. Both waves were conducted using Ipsos MORI's face-to-face 'Capibus' survey vehicle. The 2014 survey was based on a long-term trend survey covering the same topic, which ran from 1999 until 2014 (the earlier surveys are not currently held by the UK Data Service). For further information, see the Ipsos MORI Attitudes to Animal Research in 2016 webpage. Main Topics:The public's perception and knowledge of the use of animals in scientific research in the United Kingdom

Ahead of the Game Survey, 2009-2010

<p>Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.</p>The Ahead of the Game campaign explored the use of targeted interventions at football grounds as a means of raising the awareness of the causes and symptoms of cancer. The target audience for these interventions was primarily male football supporters aged over 55. In order to investigate this, Ipsos MORI conducted two waves of survey research amongst men aged over 40 at the five football clubs where the interventions have taken place (Blackburn Rovers, Brighton and Hove Albion, Norwich City, Portsmouth, and Scunthorpe United), using the Cancer Awareness Measure (CAM). The reason that men over 40 were interviewed instead of just men aged over 55, was to assess the impact on those approaching the most at risk age group, to compare the impact of the interventions on the different age groups, and to inform decisions on future campaigns targeting the younger group.<br> <br> Supporters were recruited face-to-face in and around the clubs on match days and contacted by telephone to complete the survey. The pre-intervention survey developed a 'baseline' that was compared with the post-intervention survey to measure any change in awareness. Some clubs had started to conduct their interventions when the pre-intervention wave of research was in field, so some respondents may have been influenced by the interventions before they were interviewed. During both waves 1,000 supporters were interviewed in total (200 per club) creating an overall total of 2,000 responses (400 per club).<br> <br> Further information about the Ahead of the Game campaign can be found on the <a href ="http://www.footballfoundation.org.uk/our-schemes/ahead-of-the-game/" title="Ahead of the Game">Football Foundation's</a> web page.<br><B>Main Topics</B>:<br>The CAM questionnaire addressed the following topics:<ul><li>public awareness of cancer symptoms</li><li>public knowledge of cancer risk factors</li><li>reasons for patient delay before contacting doctor</li><li>public knowledge of common cancer types in men and women</li><li>public awareness of cancer screening programmes</li><li>demographic variables</li></ul

National Evaluation of the New Deal for Communities Programme: Household Survey Data, 2002-2008

<p>Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.</p>The <i>National Evaluation of the New Deal for Communities Programme</i> (NDC) surveys began in 2002. To begin the programme, MORI Social Research worked with CRESR at Sheffield Hallam University, on behalf of the Neighbourhood Renewal Unit. The first phase of the programme took the form of a large-scale project comprising base-line household surveys in each of the 39 NDC areas in England in 2002, and follow-up interviews in 2004. The follow-up survey had a longitudinal element, combined with a new cross-sectional survey, and was designed to track changes over time (including direct changes), by following up residents who were interviewed in 2002, and also those who had moved out of NDC areas.<br> <br> The next survey in the NDC programme was conducted in 2006. In October 2005, Ipsos UK and MORI had combined to become Ipsos MORI. GfK NOP collaborated with Ipsos MORI Social Research Institute on the 2006 survey, as on previous waves (see documentation for further details). <br> <br> The fourth survey conducted among NDC residents was completed in 2008. The survey was designed to track change overtime, including direct change by following-up residents who were interviewed previously.<br> <br> A comparator survey was also undertaken in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008 for a sample of deprived wards in the same local authority districts as the NDCs, but not in wards bordering them. This national deprived area survey aimed to help understand how NDC areas differ from other deprived areas. Furthermore, following the design of the main survey, it aimed to identify differences in how these areas change over time, via follow-up and longitudinal surveys. A key aim of the evaluation survey is to help establish the degree to which change in NDC areas is unique, or whether it is mirrored elsewhere. Users should note that the comparator survey is described in the documentation, but has not yet been deposited at the UK Data Archive.<br> <br> Work was done with each of the 39 NDC area partnerships to design questions relevant to local issues, and to gauge level of awareness of projects. Ipsos MORI was also involved in a number of activities with the partnerships, designed to help them gain maximum value from the research at a local level. These included training local residents as interviewers to work on the survey, and a series of training sessions for partnerships. A survey 'extranet' site has also been established for partnerships, to encourage wider dissemination and use of the data.<br> <br> Further information about the research can be found at the CRESR <a href="http://ndcevaluation.adc.shu.ac.uk/ndcevaluation/Home.asp" title="NDC National Evaluation">NDC National Evaluation</a> web site.<br> <br> For the third edition (February 2010), data and documentation for 2008 were added to the study.<br><B>Main Topics</B>:<br>The survey questionnaires were designed to cover each of the theme areas of the NDC programme, and thus included questions on housing (satisfaction with housing and future plans), quality of life and views on living in the area, involvement in the local community, experience of crime, household demographics, work status and employment details of household members aged 16 years and over, educational qualifications and satisfaction with education services, bringing up children in the area and involvement with children's education, personal health and views on health services, financial circumstances, and refugee status.<br> <br> Standard Measures:<br> Where possible the questions used in the survey were made comparable with those used in other large-scale government surveys, in order to provide national benchmark data. A list of questions with their basis in existing questions/surveys is included in the documentation

National Survey of Third Sector Organisations, 2008

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.The National Survey of Third Sector Organisations, 2008 (NSTSO) measured the views of third sector organisations (TSOs) across 149 top tier local authority areas. The survey had two aims: to measure a baseline and progress against a key national indicator in the local government performance framework (NI7: An Environment for a Thriving Third Sector), and to understand the issues which comprise third sector organisations’ view of their area as a place to work. For the second survey in the series, conducted in 2010, the series title was changed to the National Survey of Charities and Social Enterprises (NSCSE). The NSCSE 2010 is held at the UK Data Archive under SN 7347. While the name of the series has changed, the waves of the survey are equivalent in all other respects. Further information and detailed analysis conducted by Ipsos MORI is available from the NSCSE web site. Main Topics:The data file contains responses to each of the questions included in the NSTSO survey, and also additional information on each third sector organisation taken from published sources and provided by GuideStar UK. The survey comprised identifier questions, an 'indicator' question to measure a baseline for NI7, and a range of further questions on issues of concern to TSOs. The indicator question asked: 'Taking everything into account, overall, how do the statutory bodies in your local area influence your organisation's success?' The NI7 score for an area is comprised by the percentage of respondents selecting 'Very positive influence' or 'positive influence' from a five point scale. Other questions explored a range of issues around local and national funding, local support and partnership working

Exploring public perceptions of solutions to tree diseases in the UK: Implications for policy-makers

Tree diseases are on the increase in many countries and the implications of their appearance can be political, as well as ecological and economic. Preventative policy approaches to tree diseases are difficult to formulate because dispersal pathways for pest and pathogens are numerous, poorly known and likely to be beyond human management control. Genomic techniques could offer the quickest and most predictable approach to developing a disease tolerant native ash. The population of European Ash (Fraxinus Excelsior) has suffered major losses in the last decade, due to the onset of Hymenoscyphus fraxineus (previously called Chalara Fraxinea) commonly known in the UK as ash dieback. This study presents evidence on the public acceptability of tree-breed solutions to the spread of Chalara, with the main aim to provide science and policy with an up-stream ‘steer’ on the likely public acceptability of different tree breeding solutions. The findings showed that whilst there was a firm anti-GM and ‘we shouldn’t tamper with nature’ attitude among UK publics, there was an equally firm and perhaps slightly larger pragmatic attitude that GM (science and technology) should be used if there is a good reason to do so, for example if it can help protect trees from disease and help feed the world. The latter view was significantly stronger among younger age groups (Millennials), those living in urban areas and when the (GM)modified trees were destined for urban and plantation, rather than countryside settings. Overall, our findings suggest that the UK government could consider genomic solutions to tree breeding with more confidence in the future, as large and influential publics appear to be relaxed about the use of genomic techniques to increase tolerance of trees to disease.</p

Public awareness and attitudes toward palliative care in Northern Ireland

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organisation recognises palliative care as a global public health issue and this is reflected at strategic level. Despite this, palliative care may not be universally welcomed. Surveys over the last decade have suggested that the general public have a lack of knowledge and negative perceptions towards palliative care. A detailed and comprehensive understanding of public views is needed in order to target education and policy campaigns and to manage future needs, expectations and resourcing of end of life care. The aim of this study was to establish the current levels of awareness and attitudes towards palliative care among the general public in Northern Ireland. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional survey with a population of 3,557 individuals aged over 17 years was performed. Information was collected using a structured questionnaire consisting of 17 items. Open questions were subject to content analysis; closed questions were subject to descriptive statistics with inferential testing as appropriate. RESULTS: A total of 600 responses were obtained (response rate 17%). Responses indicated limited knowledge about palliative care. Female gender and previous experience influenced awareness in a positive direction. Respondents who worked in healthcare themselves or who had a close relative or friend who had used a palliative care service were more aware of palliative care and the availability of different palliative care services. Findings reveal the preferred place of care was the family home. The main barriers to raising awareness were fear, lack of interaction with health services and perception of lack of resources. A number of strategies to enhance awareness, access and community involvement in palliative care were suggested. CONCLUSIONS: Public awareness of the concept of palliative care and of service availability remains insufficient for widespread effective and appropriate palliative care to be accepted as the norm. In particular, those without previous family-related experiences lack awareness. This has implications for palliative care service provision and policy. An increased awareness of palliative care is needed, in order to improve knowledge of and access to services when required, empower individuals, involve communities and ultimately to realise the objectives contained within international strategies for palliative and end-of-life care