National Centre for Research Methods 2020-2024

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Social science transforms our understanding of the world, underpins the development and evaluation of public policy and business practice and informs national and international debate on matters of social, economic and political importance. While the quality of empirical research clearly depends on many factors, methodology and methods are critical. The ways in which social scientists collect, analyse and interpret social and economic data need to reflect rapid changes such as the emergence of new types and sources of data, the need for interdisciplinary working, qualitative data being produced and analysed at scale and the emergence of machine learning and Artificial Intelligence as new methodological frameworks. Such diversification and proliferation poses significant challenges to the robustness of our science, as does the pace of change. Hence, training social scientists to a high standard in using appropriate, and sometimes new, research methods is of vital and increasing importance. The proposed National Centre for Research Methods (NCRM) will deliver a comprehensive programme of cutting-edge research methods training across the UK. It will advance methodological understanding and practice across all sectors, disciplines and career stages, and closely engage with key stakeholders, coordinating and enhancing research methods training and capacity building (TCB). The principal aim of the Centre is to increase research methods capability in the social sciences through TCB activities in the application of core and advanced research techniques. It will provide a vehicle for capturing methodological developments from the wider community, both within the social sciences and beyond, and drive them through to capacity building maturity. The NCRM will be delivered by a partnership of three internationally leading centres of methodological excellence: the Universities of Southampton, Manchester and Edinburgh. This partnership will be significantly enhanced and expanded to include strategically selected Centre partner institutions who, through a nominated NCRM senior fellow, will deliver training locally to ensure geographical and subject expertise diversity. The nine institutions are UCL, NatCen, WISERD, Bristol, Exeter, Essex, Leeds, Liverpool and Glasgow. Effective engagement with key stakeholders will be at the core of all activities, including relevant ESRC investments, government departments, third-sector organisations and with business and industry. There will be several mechanisms for delivering this, e.g. to expand the data resource training network, cross-sectoral involvement in capacity building innovation fora, and through the Centre's Advisory Board. Opportunities for further funding streams and sustainable growth will be explored. Building on the successful training programme developed and delivered by NCRM, the new NCRM will introduce innovative developments in the structure, content and delivery of training activities. It will comprise four core activities: 1. A programme of innovative face-to-face, blended and online learning in social science research methods delivered where it is needed. 2. A TCB innovation pipeline: a horizon scanning function which blends training needs analysis, systematic audit, knowledge creation and innovation fora to identify areas of methodological innovation with subsequent targeted training and resource development to build capacity in identified domains. 3. A new online learning portal including online learning content and information resources. The NCRM will provide a range of interactive content with a mixture of standalone instant access materials (including e-books, videos, interactive slide decks) through to whole modules based within a VLE. 4. National leadership in social science methods training; engaging, collaborating and co-ordinating activity and providing fora for other trainers.