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Academy of Learned Societies for the Social Sciences - represents the social sciences of the United Kingdom and is composed of 278 Academicians and 43 Learned Societies.
Accreditation - website of the United Kingdom Accreditation Service. Accreditation is the recognition by an authoritative body that an organisation is competent to carry out specific tasks of providing certification, testing, inspection and calibration services.
Active Community Unit (Home Office) undertook a cross -cutting review which was tasked with establishing targets and funding requirements for achieving the government's stated aim of securing a step change in public involvement in the community.
Adding It Up [see Evidence and Analysis].
Association for Learning Technology (ALT) - professional and scholarly association which seeks to bring together all those with an interest in the use of learning technology to promote good practice in the use of learning technology in education and industry; represent the members in areas of policy; facilitate collaboration between practitioners, researchers, and policy makers.
Association for Research in the Voluntary and Community Sector (ARVAC) - aims to promote effective community action through research.
Association of Qualitative Research (AQR) - represents the interests of its members, currently some 1,150 individuals, who are directly involved in qualitative research.
British Library Integrated Catalogue - web interface to the main British Library catalogues, describing over 12 million items
BUBL - link to Social Sciences area of BUBL link catalogue of internet resources
C2-SPECTR - Free registry of over 10,000 randomized and possibly randomized trials in education, social work and welfare, and criminal justice. Provides support for individuals doing Campbell systematic reviews, and to anyone who cares about the effects of social and educational programs and practices.
The Campbell Collaboration [C2] aims to help people make well-informed decisions by preparing, maintaining, and promoting access to systematic reviews of studies on the effects of social and educational policies and practices.
The Campbell [C2] Crime & Justice Coordinating Group is an international network of individuals that will prepare, update and rapidly disseminate systematic reviews of high-quality research conducted worldwide, on effective methods to reduce crime and delinquency or improve justice.
The Campbell [C2] Education Coordinating Group is an international network of volunteer professionals who will prepare, update and rapidly disseminate systematic reviews of high-quality educational and training interventions conducted worldwide that are aimed to improve education and learning.
The Campbell [C2] Social Welfare Coordinating Group (SWCG) is an international network of people interested in the effects of social programs, who prepare, update, and disseminate high-quality systematic reviews of research conducted worldwide on effective methods to promote social welfare, health, and social justice.
Centre for Analysis of Risk and Regulation (CARR) examines the organisational and institutional settings of risk management and regulation with an intention to analyse and explain variations in 'risk regulation' practice
Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion (CASE) - The aim of the Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion (CASE) is to understand the dynamic processes at work within its areas of study and to investigate the individual characteristics and social institutions which prevent exclusion, and promote recovery, regeneration and inclusion.
Centre for Business Research (CBR) - The Centre for Business Research (CBR) carries out studies of business competitiveness and performance; corporate governance; and entrepreneurship and small businesses.
Centre for Complex Product Systems (CoPS) - The aim of the Centre for Complex Products Systems (CoPS) is to make a contribution to our understanding of complex industrial products, systems, constructs and networks and to contribute its findings to industrial partners, policy makers and the academic community.
Centre for Economic Learning and Social Evolution (ELSE) - The Centre for Economic Learning and Social Evolution (ELSE) is concerned with the modelling of human behavior in the social sciences and, in particular, the evolutionary foundations of human behaviour, and in learning and imitation processes.
Centre for Economic Performance (CEP) - examines the determinants of economic performance at the level of the company, the nation and the global economy by focusing on the major links between globalisation, technology and institutions (above all the educational system and the labour market).
Centre for Public Scrutiny is an independent not-for-profit limited company incorporated by the Local Government Association, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accounting and the Democratic Health Network and supported by The London Assembly, the Department of Health, the Improvement and Development Agency and Deloitte & Touche.
Centre for Research in Development, Instruction and Training (CREDIT) - The Centre for Research in Development, Instruction and Training (CREDIT) explores fundamental processes of human learning and instruction.
Centre for Research into Elections and Social Trends (CREST) - conducts and analyses social surveys of the general public.
Centre for Research on Innovation and Competition (CRIC) - The aim of the Centre for Research on Innovation and Competition (CRIC) is to contribute to the fundamental understanding of the complex issues that underline and link together innovation and competitiveness.
Centre for Social and Economic Research on the Global Environment (CSERGE) - explores and evaluates novel and legitimate forms of governance across different scales of geographical space and human communication, so that decisions about environmental futures are informed by everyone whose interests are at stake.
Central Research Unit (Scottish Executive) provides a research service principally in relation to social policy but also covering other scientific areas such as certain transport, rural and environmental issues.
Civil Service Diversity website provides civil servants and other public sector workers with a central point of information on all aspects of the diversity agenda. It includes examples of best practice and links to a range of Diversity resources.
Civil Service Network - Whitehall & Westminster World's Civil Service Network aims to provide civil servants with a range of information designed to help you work more effectively. This includes information on professional skills, efficiency and relocation, with information on MPs and Peers, careers advice and top news stories. It also aims to allow users to set the agenda, discuss what matters in "Civil Service Forums", and subscribe to email bulletins:
The Cochrane Collaboration is an international organisation that aims to help people make well-informed decisions about healthcare by preparing, maintaining and promoting the accessibility of systematic reviews of the effects of healthcare interventions
Communications - to truly involve the public in policy development communicators and policy officials need to work together. For more information on how policy and communications can work together visit http://engage.comms.gov.uk/knowledge-bank/strategic-planning/working-with-policy.html
Computer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software (CAQDAS) Networking Project - The Computer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software (CAQDAS) Networking Project aims to provide practical support, training and information in the use of a range of software programs which have been designed to assist qualitative data analysis.
Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP) Economics
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Evaluation Methods Papers
Dissertation Abstracts Online (DISSABS) - Free access the most current two years of citations and abstracts in the Dissertation Abstracts database, and subscription access to a database of more than 1.6 million dissertations.
Economic and Social Data Service (ESDS) - Fre access to a number of specialist services: ESDS Government, supporting users of the large-scale government data series; ESDS Longitudinal supporting the key UK longitudinal data collections; ESDS International, providing access to a range of international data sources; and ESDS Qualidata, enabling access to a range of qualitative data sources. Economic Trends (ONS)
Economics and Statistics Directorate (DEFRA)
Economics, Business and Statistics Division Department for International Development (DFID)
e-democracy.gov.uk Website developed to support the Government's consultation on e-democracy
Employment Market Analysis and Research (EMAR) (DTI) provides advice on employment relations and labour markets supported by an ongoing of evaluation and research.
Equal - Funded through the European Social Fund, Equal is an initiative which tests and promotes new means of combating all forms of discrimination and inequalities in the labour market, both for those in work and for those seeking work, through transnational co-operation.
ERIC - FREE version of a national information system funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences to provide access to education literature and resources.
ESPANet (the Network for European Social Policy Analysis) has been established to facilitate exchange and co-operation among social policy analysts in Europe and to provide a forum and network of communication for the development of European social policy analysis as a field of research and teaching.
European Information Society Group (EURIM) is the all-party, pan-industry 'lobby' where the politics of the Information Society and E-Commerce are discussed across political, organisational and national boundaries prior to public debate. EURIM's objective is to identify consensus not just compromise. EURIM looks for ways forward which will still look reasonable when we look back in five or ten years.
European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA) is primarily concerned with programmes aimed at improving the understanding of EU processes and policies, developing the capacities of the administrations of the Member States to cope with European integration, and assisting the development of cooperation between these administrations
Evaluated Links to resources that encourage and support policy making that is evaluated.
Every Child Matters This Unit has the task of supporting Ministers as they develop, refine and communicate the Government's overarching strategy for children and young people. They are tasked with joining up policy-making across Departments and removing barriers to effective working.
Evidence and Analysis - aims to help Government departments to enhance their store of important evidence used to determine the right policies to meet Government objectives, and to share the most up-to-date information about their evidence base.
Evidence and Policy - UK journal dedicated to the comprehensive and critical treatment of the relationship between research evidence and the concerns of policy makers and practitioners. Published in association with the ESRC UK Centre for Evidence Based Policy and Practice
Foresight - The Foresight Programme brings together the voices of business, government, science and others to look at what might happen in the future and what we need to do now to secure long-term competitive advantage and enhanced quality of life for all.
Forward Looking - Link to resources that support forward looking policy making.
Future Governance - closed January 2004, consisted of 30 research projects in the social sciences concerned with lesson drawing in public policy and policy transfer.
Government Communication Network
Government Economic Service (GES) - Information on the work of Economists in Government Departments and agencies.
Government Statistical Service (GSS) (Internet) - Information on the work of statisticians in government and recruitment to the Government Statistical Service.
Government Operational Research Service (GORS) - Find out about the work of operational research staff to provide analytical services and help Government make the best possible use of public money, staff and other resources.
HELM - English Heritage's policy website www.helm.org.uk Provides information and training to help local authority decision making in the historic environment.
Henley Centre has developed tools which help government departments and public organisations to take account of social change in their policy making and to build models of the future by developing scenarios that help them understand the impact of change on its stakeholders.
Homelessness Directorate in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister aims to foster sustainable communities by tackling homelessness more effectively and, in particular, delivering the Government's targets to sustain reductions in rough sleeping at one third of 1998 levels, or lower; and end the use of B&B hotels for homeless families with children, except in short-term emergencies
House of Commons Library Research Papers - The House of Commons Library Research Papers provide analyses and background information on topics of current parliamentary interest compiled for Members of Parliament by the staff of the House of Commons Library.
Housing Research (Communities and Local Government)
Housing Statistics (Communities and Local Government)
Human Resources and Social Development Canada. Social Policy includes many useful research and statistical reports.
IdEA knowledge An innovative internet-based hub of best practice, ideas and solutions transferring local government expertise about what works and why.
Impact assessment and appraisal: guidance checklist for policy makers Strategy Unit, 2002 Tips on where to go for guidance on impact assessment and appraisal.
Impact Assessments Cabinet Office, updated 2007 - provides background information on the meaning and purpose of IAs and guidance on how to draft and use them.
Improvement and Development Agency (IdEA)
Improving government's capability to handle risk and uncertainty identifies the ways in which government needs systematically to develop its capacity to handle risk and makes proposals for improving the way government handles and communicates about risk to the public.
Inclusive Links to resources that encourage and support policy making that is inclusive.
Incorporating regional perspectives into policy making toolkit (pdf, 596kb) Cabinet Office, ODPM, 2002. This is intended as a practical resource to help policy makers ensure that their policy making is informed by a proper understanding of regional issues and priorities.
info4local.gov.uk is a gateway for local authorities to get access to local government-related information published on the web sites of central government departments and agencies.
Innovative, Creative and Flexible Links to resources that encourage and support policy making that is innovative, creative and flexible.
Integrated Policy Appraisal - online help for consideration of sustainable development in policy making.
International Comparisons in Policy Making Toolkit CMPS, 2002. The toolkit is intended to provide practical help to policy makers in the use of international comparisons in policy making.
Internet Public Library - a public service
organization and learning/teaching environment at the University of Michigan
School of Information. Among other activities, it provides library services
to Internet users, including finding, evaluating, selecting, organizing,
describing, and creating information resources; and direct assistance to
individuals.
Intute: Social Sciences
- reborn version of SOSIG - the Social Science Information Gateway. FREE
guide to the best of the web for social science. Details of Intute services
in other disciplinary fields can be found at www.intute.ac.uk/development
Joined Up Links to resources that encourage and support policy making that is inclusive.
Laria (Local Authorities Research & Intelligence Association) promotes the role and practice of research within local government as well as providing a supportive network for those conducting or commissioning research.
Learns Lessons Links to resources that support and encourage lesson learning on policy making.
Local Government Association Research is a representative of all local governments in England and Wales promoting better local government and to put local councils at the heart of the drive to improve public services.
The Local Government Information Unit is an independent research and information organisation supported by over 150 councils and the local government trade unions.
Local Government Finance Statistics Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
Local Government National Training Organisation
Local and Regional Government Research Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
Localis commissions and publishes research and other information that is relevant to Local Government in the UK and its relationship to national government
The Magenta Book: Guidance notes on Policy Evaluation Government Chief Social Researcher's Office, 2003 - The Magenta Book is a series of guidance notes on policy evaluation and analysis which are intended to help 'intelligent customers' and 'intelligent providers' determine what constitutes high quality work in the field of policy evaluation and analysis.
Market Research Portal - gives free access to various industry information including research findings, articles written by industry professionals (including market research in general, qualitative research, quantitative research, survey methods, statistics and various others), career and job related information, book lists, up-to-date news etc...
Mr Web - Mr Web is an on-line resource for market research companies and professionals around the world.
National Audit Office is responsible for ensuring that government departments spend resources with economy, efficiency and effectiveness. This includes an analysis of the risks associated with the implementation of new policies.
National Foundation for Educational Research - aims to improve education and training, nationally and internationally, by undertaking research, development and dissemination activities and by providing information services.
Neighbourhood Renewal Unit works across Government and other organisational boundaries to deliver the Government strategy for narrowing the gap between deprived neighbourhoods and the rest of the country, so that within 10 to 20 years, no-one should be seriously disadvantaged by where they live.
New Local Government Network is an independent think tank promoting fresh and innovative thinking about the modernisation agenda for local government.
Nine Features of Policy Making
Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) contains a comprehensive range of official Northern Ireland statistics as well as information about the Census and the General Register Office
OECD Public Governance and Management analyses and develops solutions to the challenges and needs of Government and promotes good practice.
OECD Statistics Portal collects statistical information drawn from statistical agencies and other institutions of its Member countries. This data is used to analyse and project economic and social developments.
Office of Government Commerce (OGC) The OGC is developing programmes to improve the capacity of departmental, Agency and NDPB staff to manage and deliver major projects.
Ourpartnership.org.uk is a community for individuals, networks and organisations interested in learning more about making partnerships work. It includes discussion fora, news and reports about the experience of partnership.
Outward Looking (Links to resources that encourage and support outward looking policy
Pathways to Outcomes - developing US website with information about what works in social programs and policies to improve lives among children and families living in 'tough neighborhoods, including increased rates of children ready for school and higher numbers of economically successful families.
Policy Library includes a wide range of papers from the academic sector and think tanks and includes reviews and syntheses of literature for some policy areas. It attempts to put policy in context, through subjective literature reviews.
Policy Network is an organisation that aims to link and inform those involved in policy making. It has a strong international emphasis and has links with government and policy-makers in more than 25 countries.
Policypointers - an online facility 'created to enable those involved in government, academe and the media to gain rapid access to the research and conclusions of think tanks around the world'.
The Policy Press - specialist UK publisher of social and public policy books, reports, journals and guides aimed at academics, students, researchers, practitioners and policy makers.
Policy Research (Department of Health) provides a knowledge base for health services policy, social services policy and central policies directed at the health of the population as a whole.
Policy Research Initiative is a 'trailblazer' Canadian site that supports the creation, sharing and use of policy research knowledge on issues of concern to Canada.
Prime Minister's Delivery Unit (PMDU) The aim of the PMDU is to ensure that the Government achieves its delivery priorities during this Parliament across the key areas of public service: health, education, crime and asylum, and transport. The Unit's work is carried out by a team of staff with practical experience of delivery, drawn from the public and private sectors.
Public engagement - the Government Communication Group manage a number of programmes to help you engage with the public. These include Charter Mark and the GCN Engage programme.
Public Management and Policy Association (PMPA) is a national membership organisation dedicated to helping managers, policy makers and academics keep in touch with and understand the wider cross-cutting developments in public policy making that affect the governance, general and financial management of public services.
Public Sector Benchmarking Service Developed as a partnership between the Cabinet Office and HM Customs & Excise with the key aim of promoting effective benchmarking and sharing good practices across the public sector.
Public Sector Labour Market (HM Treasury) The review will identify the main trends affecting the size and composition of the public sector workforce over the period 2002 to 2007, and the skills required for the successful delivery of public services, in particular in relation to the NHS, education, the criminal justice system, defence and social services.
Public Services Productivity Panel is a small group of senior business people and public sector managers that has been established to identify ways to help improve the productivity of the public sector. The Panel is chaired by Andrew Smith, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury.
Publicnet - daily news and information service for the public sector.
PubMed Free service of the National Library of Medicine. Includes over 14 million citations for biomedical articles back to the 1950's. These citations are from MEDLINE and additional life science journals. PubMed includes links to many sites providing full text articles and other related resources.
Qualidata, Qualitative Data Service - Qualidata, Qualitative Data Service provides a national service for the acquisition, dissemination and re-use of social sciences qualitative research data.
The Question Bank: Social Surveys Online - holds questionnaires for large scale social surveys which have a nationally representative sample.
Regard - The Regard service helps you locate and explore social science research funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). Information is available on research projects (called 'awards'), publications and other outputs, and research findings reports. Both keyword and more advanced search options are available, as is a login facility.
Regeneration Research, conducted within the Urban Policy Unit, looks at a number of programmes aimed at the regeneration of our towns and cities. (Office of the Deputy Prime Minister)
Regional Co-ordination Unit exists to consider Government initiatives with a regional or local dimension (Area Based Initiatives - ABIs) and to promote closer links between Government activity in the regions and the Centre.
Regional Observatories have been set up to support and promote the use of research and information in the policy making of regions and to share knowledge and best practice.
See:
Regulatory Impact Assessment.- Cabinet Office, updated 2007 - see Impact Assessments
Better Regulation Executive (BRE) provides advice on identifying risk in policy initiatives and assessing options to deal with this.
renewal.net is an on-line guide to what works in neighbourhood renewal developed by the Neighbourhood Renewal Unit. Wherever possible, the material is based on evaluated evidence of what actually works - or what doesn't work
Research (HM Revenue & Customs)
Research and Evaluation Evidence. Definitions of what constitutes research and evaluation evidence and links to key sources about evidence and its role in policy and practice. (See also: How Research and evaluation evidence contributes to policy making?)
Research and Statistics Gateway (Department for Education and Skills) helps make the best use of the Internet by easing your path to the DfES facts and figures which are needed to help inform planning and decision-making at national, regional, local and sectoral levels.
Research Development Statistics (Home Office)
The Research Informed Practice Site (TRIPS) - offers easy access to essential research findings for teachers, governors, parents and all those who support them in the education of school age students. The aim is to help ensure that practice and policy in schools, and at a regional and national level, are informed by good and up-to-date evidence. Grouped under themes such as Assessment and Gender, this site provides accessible digests of research.
Research methods for policy evaluation. (Department for Work and Pensions)
Resources for Methods in Evaluation and Social Research - links to free on line books, manuals, articles on how to do social research, including surveys, interviews, observations and more. Also links to research about research methods, free software, and sites on how to present data. This site also has a review of free statistical resources.
Reviewed (Links to resources that support and encourage the appraisal and review of policy)
Royal Academy of Engineering - partly Government-funded organisation, active in policy work. Remit is to bring together the country's most eminent engineers from all disciplines to promote excellence in the science, art and practice of engineering.
Rural-proofing policy makers checklist Countryside Agency, 2002 (Describes 14 characteristic features of rural communities, rural economies and rural environments, which need to be taken into account in achieving more effective policy outcomes).
Scottish Economic Statistics home pages
The Select Committee on Public Administration is a cross-party House of Commons Committee with the remit of examining the workings of Central Government to ensure that public services are managed effectively and fairly and that senior Government Officials are fully accountable
Sustainable Development Research network (SDRN) - website of a Defra funded initiative which seeks to improve the use of research and evidence in policy for sustainable development.
The Service Delivery Agreements (SDAs) explain how the high-level targets set out in the Public Service Agreements will be achieved. This page includes a link to the index of departmental SLAs
SiG-Net - developed for the Government Chief Scientific Adviser's Committee (CSAC). Provides brief outlines and links to science news in government; links to a wide variety of government science websites; links to sites outside government which are of interest to scientists and non-specialists. SiG-Net is currently available on the government secure intranet (GSI) and is being evaluated to decide whether it should be launched on the internet in 2004.
Six Thinking Hats - a creative thinking technique by Edward de Bono
Small Business Service Statistics (DTI)
Smarter Partnerships Toolkit was developed by the Local Government National Training Organisation (now the Employers' Organisation for Local Government). It encourages joined up working through the promotion of learning and skills which result in more effective collaborative working with partners.
The Social Exclusion Unit exists to help improve Government action to reduce social exclusion by producing 'joined up solutions to joined up problems and typically works on issues that affect a range of Government departments, and does not duplicate work being done elsewhere.
Social Science Information Gateway (SOSIG) - see Intute
Standards establish best practice, increasing efficiency and ensuring the reliability, safety and quality of products and services. They can also support 'lighter touch' regulation and facilitate efficient procurement. British Standards Institution (BSI) is the National Standards Body of the UK. It works with government, businesses and consumers to represent UK interests and facilitate the production of standards.
National Standardization Strategic Framework (NSSF) is led jointly by the DTI, the British Standards Institution (BSI), the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) and aims to promote the use of standards and standardization in order to increase UK competitiveness.
Statbase ® - The National Statistics Encyclopaedia contains data, and information about those data, from government statistical units across the United Kingdom.
Statistics (HM Revenue & Customs)
Statistics (ONS)
Statistics and Surveys (Department of Health)
Successful Delivery Toolkit. Office of Government Commerce, 2002 The Toolkit brings together policy and best practice in a single point of reference; helps you ask the critical questions about capability and project delivery and gives practical advice on how to improve.
Sure Start aims to promote the physical, intellectual and social development of babies and young children - particularly those who are disadvantaged - so that they can flourish at home and when they get to school, and thereby break the cycle of disadvantage for the current generation of young children.
Sustainable Development Research (SDR) DEFRA
Teenage Pregnancy Unit was set up in 1999, and is now located within the Department for Education and Skills to develop a cross-cutting strategy with the aim of reducing teenage pregnancy
Transport Statistics (Department for Transport)
Transport 2010 (Department for Transport)
Tyndall Centre brings together scientists, economists, engineers and social scientists, who together are working to develop sustainable responses to climate change through trans-disciplinary research and dialogue on both a national and international level - not just within the research community, but also with business leaders, policy advisors, the media and the public in general. The site includes details of research programmes under 4 key themes, publications, events etc.
United Kingdom academic sites - United Kingdom academic sites is a clickable map showing all recognised Universities, University Colleges and Higher Education Colleges in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) is the sole national accreditation body recognised by government to accredit, against internationally agreed standards, organisations that provide certification, testing, inspection and calibration services.
United Kingdom Data Archive (UKDA) - FREE resource centre that acquires, disseminates, preserves, and promotes the largest collection of digital data in the social sciences and humanities in the United Kingdom.
Viewfinder (pdf, 209kb) Strategy Unit, 2002. Practical resource to help policy makers at all levels improve policy design through undertaking public involvement initiatives. It introduces policy makers to the issue of public involvement and provides practical advice on principles, planning activities and selecting methods.
Virtual Learning Arcade (VLA) - The Virtual Learning Arcade (VLA) provides interactive online models and simulations for economics and business teachers, lecturers and students.
The way ahead for rural services: a good practice guide for locating rural services (pdf) provides help for policy-makers, service planners and providers in how to assess the rural impact when making decisions that affect the provision of rural services
What is evidence: suggested further reading This reading list is designed to inform the debate about what evidence is and how it should be best used.
Wiring it Up: Whitehall's management of cross-cutting policies and services Performance and Innovation Unit, 2000. This report recommends action to improve the formulation of cross-cutting policies and services.
Women and Equality Unit - exists to ensure that women's priorities tie in closely with the Government's overall agenda. It has overall responsibility for policy on gender equality and co-ordinates policy on sexual orientattion.
World Bank The International Development Goals set targets for reductions in poverty, improvements in health and education, and protection of the environment.