The Centre for Applied Research and Development was established in 2002 and undertakes a broad range of research activities which assist and encourage informed decision making within private, public and voluntary sector organisations. Our work also involves providing high quality and objective reports with focussed conclusions and in-depth recommendations to individual educational institutions and government departments. Our reports are produced to publishable standard and are available where a web link follows the individual project outlines.
Externally Funded Projects
Homework Rules
Homework Rules is a web-based practical support tool for parents to enable them to help their children with maths homework and is funded by “Renewing Communities.” The Research Centre was responsible for the Monitoring, Trialling, Focus Groups and User Review Submissions associated with this project over a two year period. The final report was launched in April 2008.
Student Accommodation Survey
In February 2008 the Research Centre carried out an on-line survey across Northern Ireland’s Higher Education sector to establish the level of need for purpose-built student accommodation. This project involved collaboration with RSM Robson Rhodes the consultants overseeing the planning for the new BMC Titanic Campus. The research included more than 2,000 responses from students attending the University of Ulster, Queen’s University Belfast or the Belfast Institute (now BMC). The findings of the research which made recommendation around location, costings, local services and facilities have been used by the BMC Capital Projects Team in planning for the proposed new build in the Titanic Quarter of Belfast. Results were also fed back to the Student Accommodation Officers in the universities.
Management Training Needs Analysis QUB
In November 2006 the Research Centre designed and managed an on-line Training Needs Analysis of 200 staff with management roles in the Queen’s University Belfast. The areas examined included:
Managing Self
Managing Others
Managing Services
Managing Financial Resources
Managing Information
The findings of the research were drawn on to design tailored management development activities as part of the on-going staff training programme.
Preparing for SENDO
In May 05 the Research Centre launched its report reviewing the systems and strategies employed in the Further and Higher Education sectors across Northern Ireland to support students with disabilities. The research involved a needs assessment with recommendations which were used to drive phase II – the training phase of the project commissioned by the Department for Employment and Learning. The research engaged all 16 Further and Higher Education Colleges and the Universities across Northern Ireland. It involved a series of research methods, including Consultations with voluntary sector organisations, and the collection of student and staff opinion via Focus Groups and Surveys. The findings of the research also fed into the Scottish Parliamentary Inquiry “Removing Barriers & Creating Opportunities” November 2006.
Entrepreneurship
The Research Centre was funded by the Executive Programme Fund to research the area of entrepreneurship in schools and colleges across Northern Ireland. This project included a benchmarking survey of the views of more than 120 teachers and lecturers regarding enterprise and labour market issues relating to their pupils and students. It was accompanied by a major study of pupil and student opinion about different types of work and related skill requirements with 2,250 young people contributing. Questionnaires, Semi-structured Interviews & Action Science Sessions were used to collect the data. The final report and recommendations were published in June 04. A range of organisations have made used of the research findings and recommendations including CCEA during the development of Entrepreneurship modules for delivery in post-primary schools.
Ulster Supported Employment Ltd (USEL) Connectability
USEL aims to "expand the choice of paid job opportunities for disabled people and by means of training and development assist with progression". In June 2003 the Centre for Applied Research and Development was commissioned by USEL to identify barriers and opportunities facing disabled people in the labour market and to examine their experiences in seeking and finding employment. This research included a 100% Postal Survey of employers and employees with a disability, who work with USEL, and a series of Semi-structured Interviews to facilitate the generation of Case-studies that helped demonstrate best practice.
Key Skills Support Systems
In June 2002 the Research Centre was commissioned by the Training and Employment Agency (T&EA) to explore the support systems in place to facilitate the achievement of key skills by young people in Training Organisations across Northern Ireland. The sample included 29 of the 100 Training Organisations and the methodology included a Postal Survey, Semi-structured Interviews and Institutional Visits. Following the publication of the report, the Research Manager was involved in consultations with senior managers from DEL and Managers from a range of Training Organisations as well as the then Minister Ms Carmel Hanna which led to a further paper written by the Research Manager at the request of the Minister.
Enrolment Survey
During the month of September each year all full-time and part-time students attending the Belfast Metropolitan College are given the opportunity to evaluate their enrolment experience. This information is used by the Enrolment Review Group as the basis for action planning improvement for the following year.
A summary of the survey findings is available from the Deputy Director for Learner Services from December each year.
Graduate Survey
Annually a postal survey of all Belfast Metropolitan College graduates is carried out by the Research Centre. With more than 300 responses each year the information is used to establish student progress following the achievement of their HE qualification from the College. Case studies are then generated by the Research Marketing team for use in marketing college activities and job opportunities. A comprehensive Graduate Survey of students 4 years after the award of their qualification at BMC (previously Belfast Institute) is planned for this academic year.
Listening to Learners
The Research Manager worked with LSDA staff to generate the initial data collection materials used by LSDA to sample student satisfaction across the sector and has been involved in reviewing and updating the materials on an annual basis. This annual survey takes place in February each year and is co-ordinated within the Belfast Metropolitan College by the Research Manager. The findings are presented to the Directorate and to the Heads of Academic Themes for review and action planning. This survey is an important benchmarking activity for the College.
Subject & Service Specific Reviews
Supported Learning Review
In May 2008 the Research Centre undertook a review of the current college provision for discrete groups of students with learning difficulties. These groups included full-time students which were based in the Millfield building and part-time students which were based in Muckamore Abbey Hospital. The information was collected via small focus groups and the focus was on the course content, student experience on the course and as a student at the College as well as issues which students raised.
Gender Bias in Software Engineering
This project was carried out for the Department of Computing & Administrative Studies and students took part in the research via focus groups. The results were fed back to the Head of Department and Principal Lecturers and contributed to the departmental marketing strategy for HND programmes as well as the Departmental Business Planning Cycle.
Curriculum 2000 in Belfast Institute
Research was carried out by the Research Centre, which examined attendance, retention, achievement, key skills and inclusive learning on Curriculum 2000 programmes within Belfast Institute. This report included the views of current students, students who had withdrawn, course co-ordinators, centre managers and teaching staff. The report informed the strategic and operational plans of the Academic Heads of Department for the delivery of Curriculum 2000 programmes within the Institute.
A copy of the report published in November 2003 is available to staff from Heads of Theme.
School Links Provision
The Research Centre examined the Belfast Institute School Links Provision. All 8 academic departments and all linked schools had an opportunity to contribute to the research. All aspects of provision were examined including benefits to schools and to the College, the mechanism for costing the provision, the quality of provision, the length of modules and outcomes. The report formed the basis of the Institute’s strategy with regard to School Links and contributed to the strategy for the implementation of the Costello Report.
A copy of the report completed in February 2003 is available to staff from the School Links Committee.
Role of the Statutory FE Sector
In January 2003 the Research Manager compiled a report on behalf of the Belfast Institute Stakeholders, in response to the FE Review Consultation Paper circulated by the Department for Employment and Learning. The information was collected following two workshop events to facilitate contributions from stakeholders and the report was submitted to the Department.
