Research & Surveys
Through research we seek understanding of complex social and economic issues. Whatever the initiative, initial research is fundamental because it ensures you proceed from an informed position.
Sound analysis, and an independent viewpoint, go to the very heart of the services that we provide to our clients. Research is both educational and informative. It provides the rationale for intervention and the confidence to proceed. Sometimes its results are the impetus for re-evaluation of an original hypothesis.
At ECOTEC our approach to research is to suggest the best mixture of tools and techniques to suit the demands of each particular piece of work. We take into account the amount and depth of analysis that our clients require as well as other factors such as previous relevant research, budget and time-constraints.
We have experience in a huge range of research techniques. However, we believe that research is an evolving field so we keep up-to-date with new developments and are always open to trying something new.
Our research services include:
- base-line studies
- economic analysis
- bench-marking
- understanding target groups
- mapping provision of services
- supply and demand analysis
- community research
- website evaluation
- citizen's panels
- surveys
- focus groups and depth interviews
- case study research
ECOTEC Survey is our full-service market-research agency. Established in 2000, we offer a range of research services for both consumer and business research, including:
- Door-to-door interviewing
- Street or 'location' interviews
- Telephone interviewing
- Postal and self-completion surveys
- Hall tests
- Mystery shopping
- Customer panels
- Focus Groups
- In-depth interviews
- On-line surveys
You can use our services directly or as a sub-contractor to your projects. We have a total 'fieldforce' of 600 trained survey workers, including interviewers from black and minority ethnic groups, also providing additional language capabilities.
Our specialist topic areas include: housing; regeneration and renewal; transport; employment, skills and training; leisure and entertainment; service provision and satisfaction surveys; local government reorganisation, communication and corporate priorities; baseline and evaluation studies.
For more information on our Research & Survey work in your policy or practice area, visit our themes pages or contact Karl Held.
Service Portfolio: Survey of the Socio-Economic Background of ERASMUS Students
The ERASMUS programme is one of the most visible European initiatives in education and culture, having enabled over 1,000,000 higher education students to undertake a Erasmus study period abroad since its inception 20 years ago. A key concern in relation to the programme is the extent to which it is reaching a wide range of students across all socio-economic backgrounds and aids international student mobility through its grants. When the Directorate General of Education and Culture of the European Commission recently decided to carry out a “Survey of the socio-economic background of ERASMUS students” it commissioned this to ECOTEC. The overall objective of the project was to update a similar survey originally carried out by the European Commission in 1998, to give an overview of the socio-economic situation of students who participated in the ERASMUS programme during the academic year 2004/05.
Over 15,000 responses of students from 30 countries were obtained through the on-line survey. The results showed that the participation in the programme of students from higher socio-economic backgrounds was prevalent, but progress had been made to expand participation to other groups over the last 10 years. ECOTEC's recommendations on how to further widen participation in the programme are currently being subject to debate at European as well as national level.
james.rampton@ecotec.com
+44 121 616 3600
Other projects in this Portfolio
