The Search for Insights

 

An insight is a shrewd evaluation or interpretation of a given understanding, belief, expectation or action that explains the dynamics of that situation in a different light and allows our client to approach and influence the outcome in a different, more enlightened way.

As a ‘new’ discipline, the search for insights may sound a trifle fickle and ‘new age’ to some, whereas the old tradition of research sounds respectable, scientific and knowledgeable.   However, while research addresses and delivers on the aims and objectives set for it, and provides loads of knowledge, the search for insights also strives to turn the knowledge gained through research and enquiry into evidence-based wisdom, recommendations and actions.

Social and Market Research

 

While we say that the search for insights is far more than research, this does not in any way downgrade the value of research. Far from it, for research provides the evidence upon which reliable, well-crafted insights are founded.

 

Social and market research are about measuring, describing, explaining and predicting social, cultural, environmental and economic phenomena.   They often guide the development, implementation and delivery of policies and programs, and assist in the estimation and evaluation of their impacts and outcomes, and play a crucial role in evidence-based policy-making.

 

We have conducted well over 1,200 research projects since 1981. We undertake both qualitative and quantitative research assignments, including social surveys, focus groups, small group sessions, in-depth interviews, case studies, brain-storming workshops and many other techniques.  We have conducted some of the largest and some of the smallest surveys undertaken in this country, and pursue best practice quality standards. 

 

Consultation and Engagement

 

The nature of government, community and not-for-profit organisations at all levels is changing rapidly, including the need to become more accountable in the way they work and the services they provide.  For many organisations this process includes a growing desire to connect more effectively with the communities and stakeholders they serve.

 

There are a great many ways to seek people’s views, including many public consultations approaches and many social and market research techniques, and WSRS has extensive skills and experience in these areas.

 

However, all too often, even with the best intentions, traditional community consultation ends up mainly listening to the ‘squeaky wheels’ and the people immediately involved in or affected by the issues.  While the views of these people are clearly extremely valuable and must be included, it is also essential to ensure that the views and perspectives of the broader community are taken into account.

 

We are firm believers in the role of research-based community consultation, in which as well as inviting the ‘usual suspects’ to their own dedicated workshops, painstaking attempts are also made using rigorous research-derived recruitment processes to screen and recruit from the general population (or target audience, or broad spectrum of potential stakeholders) to ensure the inclusion of a much broader (and much closer to representative) cross-section, including many people who would not normally become involved in consultations.

Program and Policy Evaluation

 

There is clear evidence that the need for independent, evidence-based program evaluations is growing rapidly in Australia and the world, largely in response to calls for greater accountability in the spending of public money, subsidies and grants. 

 

We work closely with our clients to help them understand the needs and priorities of their target audiences and stakeholders.  We also contribute to the development of their programs and evaluate the impact of their work.

 

For an evaluation to be seen to be credible, objective and professionally detached, it is important to commission an independent evaluation team with sound research and evaluation methodologies and experience.