Research Framework MLA Research and Evaluation Framework 2007 - 2010: Why do we invest in research and evaluation? The MLA Partnership conducts research and evaluation primarily in three ways: commissioning external consultants, 'in house' and supporting individuals and other organisations pursuing work that is aligned to our strategic aims (for example, Clore Leadership Programme Fellows). We invest in research and evaluation to inform the development and implementation of the programmes and activities we fund and manage. The process and results of this work provide vital information and evidence of whether our programmes and activities are good value for money and helping us meet one or all of our four strategic aims: - Increase and sustain participation in the sector;
- Put museums, libraries and archives at the heart of national, regional and local life:
- Establish a world class and sustainable sector; and
- Lead sector strategy and policy development.
Specifically, the results are used to provide answers to one or all of the following key questions: | Reaching targets & strategic objectives | Has the programme or activity reached its agreed targets? What contribution does it make to MLA’s strategic objectives? | | Implementation | How effective was the management of the programme or activity in delivering agreed objectives and reaching targets? | | Impact | What are the effects of the programme or activity on our main stakeholders (in particular the MLA sector & its consumers)? | | Additionality | Could the same impact have been reached through different programmes or activities? | | Policy & Programme Development | What are the needs of the domains? What has worked in the past to meet those needs, for whom and in what circumstance? What are key trends that may affect the future of the sector? What areas of need is MLA best equipped to tackle? | This means that every MLA Partnership research initiation form (used within the Partnership) and invitation to tender will clearly identify not only which strategic objectives the proposed project is addressing but also the key questions it will help answer. For internal purposes, this allows the Partnership to co-ordinate the research function better and identify relevant sources of information for advocacy and to inform programme management and development. For consultants responding to invitations to tender, this provides clear guidelines and signals as to the type of methodology (including data and analysis) that the MLA Partnership needs. Research Themes 2007 - 2008 | Theme | Proposed Projects
(subject to budget approval) | Relationship to R&E Framework | | Participation in the MLA Sector | – In-house quantitative and qualitative analysis of results (e.g., how to reduce barriers to participation, regional differences and links between social capital and participation in the MLA domains) | Policy & Programme Development, Impact, Reaching targets | | Social, Cultural and Economic Impact of the MLA Sector | – Further development of General Social Outcomes – Ongoing collation and analysis of existing work in this area – Promoting use and development of existing impact evaluation methodologies – In house collation of information on the role the MLA sectors could play in the Sustainable Communities Agenda. – Evaluation of 2007 Bicentennial of abolition of Slave Trade Events | Impact and Policy & Programme Development | | Sector Sustainability | – Research on existing and alternative income sources and business models for the MLA sector | Policy & Programme Development | | Learning | – Longitudinal studies on the impact on attainment of learning interventions by the MLA sector | Impact, Additionality | Tell us what you think If you have any suggestions on research themes we should be pursuing, or any thoughts about this area, please feel free to contact our Head of Research and Evidence: javier.stanziola@mla.gov.uk
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