Kia ora,
With collaboration almost always in the conversation amongst people working in communities, it'll come as no surprise that we keep wanting to talk about where research fits in.
Liz Weaver, a visitor these shores recently, told us shared measurement is one of five mainstays of the Collective Impact model. You'll find links to more information on Collective Impact in this newsletter, along with links to other resources where collaboration sits at the centre.
Community Research team
Other news and updates
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Unexpected results for circuses
A research project looking into community circuses had some surprising results.
The two primary aims of the research were to begin to quantify the impact of circus programmes, and to identify best practices to help organisations survive and thrive.
Frances Kelliher, who led the project, says she also “found the research a valuable connecting tool”.
Get the community circus research summary report, and read more about the background
Coming soon - evaluation standards for social programmes
The expanded role for the Families Commission will see it’s Social Policy Evaluation and Research Unit (SuPERU) develop standards for good evaluation practice. The scope for the standards extends beyond family policy to wider social policy and social programmes.
Consultation on the standards is due to commence this year with standards due for release in 2014.
"Learning by doing" research chapter, out now
A chapter on research to support community-led development from the "Learning by doing" publication is now available. Inspiring Communities are generously sharing the chapter at no charge, along with their report to the Lottery Grants Board which tells the "back story".
Both documents online at: Inspiring Communities website
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Whānau Ora Research Website update
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Doing research in Pacific communities
Clark Tuagalu shares some of his research in relation to Pacific people and research methods used. And there are summaries of the publications that can help researchers understand the needs and aspirations of disabled Pacific people and their families.
Pasifika resources
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Dates for your diary
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Practical Evaluation Workshops: Ensuring Your Programme Measures Up, 6 centres, October and November
November short courses, NZ Social Statistics Network, 18 to 29 November, Wellington
16 courses on the variety of ways in which social research is conducted, from qualitative methods through to advanced, multivariate quantitative techniques.
ANGOA Community and Voluntary Sector Research Forums
3pm 25 November, Wellington
“Blurring Boundaries, Transcending Barriers”, Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Conference, 27-29 November, Massey University, Albany, Auckland
The Wholeness of Life –Towards a New Practice of Change workshop, led by Allan Kaplan and Sue Davidoff, 6-9 February 2014, Auckland
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Hot topic: reporting for outcomes
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Over the last 10 months tangata whenua, community and voluntary sector organisations in 11 centres have told Community Research about the challenges they face.
A hot topic is reporting for outcomes. Concerns about this fell into four areas: outcomes/ outputs/ contracts; identifying effective meaningful indicators; data collection; and resource implications.
People are looking for more support with setting up systems for reporting on outcomes.
Other key issues raised at 11 community dialogues included: funding, collaboration, relationship with government, and sector capacity knowledge and resilience.
Community Research co-facilitated the dialogues with NZCOSS, Social Development Partners and Volunteering NZ. We visited: Auckland, Hamilton, Whanganui, New Plymouth, Christchurch, Greymouth, Dunedin, Alexandra, Invercargill and Masterton.
If you'd like more details about the results, please get in touch.
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