Impact Assessment Report 2020-2024

The National Centre for Research Methods (NCRM) is a key provider in training and capacity building (TCB) in (advanced) research methods in the UK (current funding phase Jan 2020-Dec 2025). Over the last five years, NCRM has been assembling rich evidence of its impact, produced through the collection and analysis of quantitative, qualitative, digital and mixed data, using multiple, creative methods. This evidence gathering work is informed by NCRM’s Impact Strategy Framework - which sets out a theory of change and hypotheses for impact from training and capacity building (TCB) activities - and by its Impact Action Plan - which outlines NCRM’s plans to evidence its impact.

The Impact Assessment Report 2020-2024 provides a summary of this evidence. It demonstrates how NCRM has reached thousands of researchers from different sectors, disciplines and career stages; has promoted, and responded with agility to innovation; and has built a strong brand and reputation as a central provider of high-quality TCB in social science research methods in the UK, demonstrating strategic leadership. This has led to NCRM’s TCB activities generating short- and long-term impacts on individuals, organisations, the research community and the research methods ecosystem.