institute for employment studies

public policy research

Research methods at IES

The Institute has over 35 expertly qualified researchers plus an extensive network of associates and partners, which means it can employ a wide range of research techniques to meet the needs of any particular study, usually including some combination of:

• quantitative surveys (using face-to-face, telephone, postal and electronic methods), often in partnership with major social survey centres
• expert and informant interviews
• case studies
• qualitative interviews (both semi-structured and structured using techniques such as cognitive interviewing and repertory grid)
• focus groups.

We have both a quantitative and qualitative analytical capability, and use a range of statistical and other computer packages to help us analyse the data we collect. In addition, we carry out a range of desk-based research including

• literature reviews (including systematic literature reviews)
• analyses of secondary data sources such as the Labour Force Survey (LFS), UK Census data, or more specialised data sets and clients’ management information.