I offer help, if needed, to design your research

Complex research problems require imaginative and innovative research designs. I offer a research design service, if needed, including scoping of literature and proposal development, which will help you work out how to get the answers you require.

Methodological expertise

I have interviewed literally hundreds of people of all ages and backgrounds, with projects typically involving marginalised groups and sensitive subject matter.

My qualitative expertise includes: individual interviews (narrative; depth; semi-structured); focus groups; observation; ethnographic studies; creative methods; co-production/ involvement and building learning alliances; stakeholder and other workshops.

Support with ethics and research governance

I can advise on, or manage, applications to ethics committees, NHS R&D, etc. I have experience of managing applications for complex studies with multiple-phases over many years. This includes successful applications that have used innovative and creative approaches (e.g., ethnography in trials; photo-elicitation, etc). 

Analytic excellence

I have a reputation for excellence in data generation, analysis and writing. The latter is so important in qualitative work for presenting findings in the clearest, most compelling, way possible. My analytic and writing services are frequently requested by teams who have already generated data. I work closely with teams to develop high-quality analysis and outputs. I will carefully code your data, summarise it and develop analysis through writing.

Qualitative research in evaluation

Qualitative research methods can help you gain an in-depth understanding, often from multiple perspectives, of ‘what works, for whom, in what contexts’. I have led the qualitative component of several longitudinal research studies, so I have experience of all stages of evaluation, from design to creating outputs to share findings. Please arrange a chat if I can help you with any stage of your evaluation.

Randomised Controlled & Feasibility Trials

I started evaluating NHS ‘Care as Usual’, against other interventions being developed and/ or tested, in 2009. As an academic I led a number of qualitative studies nested within large-scale trials that aimed to improve Primary Care, Cancer Care, Midwifery, Alcohol and Drug Services and patient wellbeing. As a freelancer I have gained lots of experience of evaluating social care services.

Developing and refining interventions

Qualitative methods can also be used to ‘tweak’ or fine tune a new approach or service, when it is at the early stage of development. I have experience of consulting different stakeholders on their views, which can be used to inform different iterations. This helps to create a service, approach, or technology that is acceptable to people, and the staff delivering them, and works in the context of their everyday lives/ organisation.

Process evaluation

I follow Medical Research Council (MRC) guidance for process evaluation and other best practice guidance for evaluation (e.g., The government’s Green Book and Nesta guidance). I have found observation, used in the context of trials to be particularly useful for picking up often taken-for-granted practices that most do not think to mention in formal interviews.