Market, Social and Communications Research and Enquiry:

​

• Qualitative and quantitative research methods are designed and implemented using the highest quality research instruments, to do much more than just scratch the surface. We firstly conduct exploratory research to understand the intricacies and idiosyncrasies of human awareness, attitudes, behaviour and behaviour change. Then quantitative techniques are often used to present a reliable and representative picture of the whole. Various segmentation techniques can be utilised to provide a useful shortcut for understanding a given community, to aid the targeting of programs and communications.

​

Program and Policy Evaluation and Strategies:

​

• Various theoretical frameworks are used but generally clients demand a simultaneous evaluation of both process and outcomes. Evaluations can be conducted within an existing evaluation framework or we can work with clients to develop one. Monitoring and evaluation typically includes analysis of program/administrative data, literature reviews, consultation with key stakeholders and primary research with larger stakeholder groups and program participants.

​

Consultation and Engagement with Consumers and Stakeholders:

​

• Many different techniques and approaches in selection, facilitation and engagement are used, catering for different values and aptitudes. We design processes appropriate to your needs, and work with stakeholders and/or the community to build a clearer understanding of issues, concerns, and uncover opportunities and insights that contribute to achieving your objectives.

​

Beyond Research and Evaluation – In Pursuit of Insights and Wisdom:

​

• A huge amount of market and social research and evaluation is undertaken every year, carefully recording what people say they see, hear, feel, know, and believe, and what they have done, are currently doing, and expect to be doing.  Ask questions and obviously you get answers.  However, while the resulting answers are clearly what people say, are they what they really mean?  Indeed, do people always do what they say, or say what they do?  Can everything that counts be counted, and does everything that can be counted, count?  And what role can the wisdom gained from nearly fifty years in research add to the process? 

​

• The answer to these kinds of serious questions is that research is simply not enough by itself anymore. Presenting detailed quantitative or qualitative research findings and writing good reports is only part of the answer.  What you really need are the insights, clues, strategies and directions that a carefully crafted understanding of that information provides.  We actively seek to discover and share those insights, clues, strategies and directions with you.

​

Examples of Research, Evaluation and Engagement in the Canberra Region:

​

• ACT Land Development Agency – Old Yarralumla Brickworks Development – several community studies; Hawker Shops development proposal.

• ACT Public Housing Renewal Taskforce – Proposed redevelopments.

• ActewAGL – Company awareness and support of community; monitoring network safety campaign.

• Aquis Australia – Community attitudes to proposed Canberra Casino renewal.

• Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) – Public perceptions, image and branding considerations.

• Canberra Metro – Monitoring light rail safety campaign.

• Canberra Weekly – Readership research.

• City Renewal Authority – Attitudes to urban renewal proposals and processes.

• Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate – Healthy Living public health communications approaches; international air travel from Canberra region studies one and two; attitudes to proposed Smart City; user attitudes and views on taxi, hire car and rideshare reforms; research developing YourSay Community Panel.

• Community Services Directorate (CSD)– Attitude studies on: whether Canberra is an age-friendly city, women in leadership, acceptance of different cultures, gender equality, seniors and volunteering; Attitude to  the INVOLVE disability commitment; annual evaluation of the National Multicultural Festival.

• Department of Environment and Energy – Many studies over 30 years to do with appliance energy rating labels; mandatory disclosure of home energy efficiency; regulation of emissions from outdoor power equipment and small marine engines.

• Education Directorate (ED) – Attitudes to public education.

• Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate (EPSDD) – Building regulations and standards; choice of travel modes and climate change implications; housing choices community study; housing attitudes and intentions studies one and two; stakeholder views of housing zones and codes; retail centres study; dual occupancy study; updating the Canberra Spatial Plan.

• Evoenergy – Ongoing monitoring of electricity network safety campaign; attitudes and usage study concerning expansion of gas supply; attitudes to migration to hydrogen for vehicles and households; attitudes to electricity supply issues.

• Federal Golf Club – Community attitudes to proposed retirement village.

• Health Directorate (HD) – Healthier Choices Canberra pre- and post-testing and monitoring; Your Health Options communications development; Your Health Options pre- and post-testing; Pill Testing at ACT music festivals; Revising the naming the University of Canberra (Rehab) Hospital; Pre-testing Maternity Access communications.

• Icon Water – Ongoing monitoring of community attitudes; views on water conservation.

• Office of Disability ACT – Ongoing studies since 2009 on inclusion of people with a disability in society.

• National Multicultural Festival -- Annual householder survey since 2020.

• Palerang Council – Regular Annual Satisfaction Surveys; Fit for the Future survey; special rates variation survey; research on proposed amalgamation with Queanbeyan.

• Palliative Care Australia -- evaluating a new Awareness Campaign on ‘What is Palliative Care’.

• Transport Canberra and City Services Directorate (TCCSD)– Several studies for the new bus network; school bus routes; annual measurement of City Services KPIs.

​