GSR Communications

As part of the Cross-government GSR Strategy we would like to hear your views on the Government Social Research profession (GSR).

GSR stands for Government Social Research. GSR is the profession under which all Social Researchers in all government departments and agencies work. Where GSR is referred to in the following questions, this should be taken to mean research colleagues in your department.

The answers will help inform plans on how GSR will communicate with the Policy Profession in the future, as well as gaining insight into Policy's current level of awareness of GSR. The survey will only take 5 minutes to complete, and we would greatly appreciate your views. All responses will be used anonymously and presented only at an aggregate level.

If you have any questions regarding the survey please email: [email protected].

Many thanks.

There are a number of different analysts working in Government.

· Economists provide economic advice and analysis, evaluating policy particularly in terms of value for money.

· Statisticians collect, produce and communicate official statistics and statistical analysis.

· Operational researchers support policy-making, strategy and operations by looking closely at complex systems, and developing models that predict the way they behave.
· Social researchers provide evidence to understand, develop, implement, monitor and evaluate government policies and services. Ensuring that government and front line decisions are built on an understanding of, and engagement with, the people and organisations affected by that decision as well as an understanding of the wider social consequences.

During your time in the Civil Service have you received analytical support from any analyst in your department?

Yes

Don't know

Which professions have you sought analytical advice from?

The following questions ask specifically about social research requests you've made.

Please indicate which types of work you have commissioned from social researchers and based on your most recent contact, how useful the input was.

If other, please specify:

If you answered 'not very useful' or 'not at all useful', how could the social researchers have made this work more useful to you?

If you have not previously commissioned social research to help inform your Policy work, why not?

I haven't needed to

I haven't' heard of social research

I'm not sure what it can provide

It takes too long to get results

I'm unsure of how to commission social research

I'm unsure who to approach

I have used other analytical professions instead

Other

How would you approach social researchers for research advice or evidence if required? For example, through colleagues your know, or a generic social research mailbox in your department.