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SWO offers a range of training courses, providing cost effective CPD opportunities to those working in research, analysis and evidence. These complement our regular events themed around emerging policy issues.

Scroll down for more information on the types of training covered and register your interest in upcoming events using the form at the bottom of the page. We can also provide bespoke training to help meet your organisation's specific needs which can either be delivered in-house or at our offices in Taunton - please email to let us know.
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RESEARCH & STATISTICS: What's Available?
In conjunction with Plymouth University we now offer various statistical training courses covering:

  • Introductory Statistics,
  • Intermediate Statistics,
  • Introduction to Quantitative Research Design and Method,
  • Introduction to Qualitative Research Design and Method and
  • Detailed Survey Design.

Click on the blue links below to find out more detail on what each course covers.

What this training event covers?

1. Sampling Strategy: Collecting Data and Data Types
2. Descriptive Statistics and Displaying Data (tables and charts)
3. Bivariate Analysis (contingency tables and analyses of groups)
4. Next Steps: Introducing the principles of Inferential Statistics and Confidence Intervals

Cost £99 (VAT not applicable
What this training event covers?

1. Exploring data - a recap on data types and descriptive bivariate analysis
2. Principles of causality and assumptions of hypothesis testing
3. Correlation techniques for assessing relationships (example using SPSS)
4. Comparing groups: Independent Samples T-Tests and ANOVA (example using SPSS)
5. Modelling techniques used to understand and predict (example using SPSS)
6. Simple Linear regression and introduction to principles of multiple linear regression (example using SPSS).

Cost £129 (VAT not applicable)
What this training event covers?

1. Research Design in Quantitative Approaches to Research
2. Who to include in your study? An overview of sampling
3. Measurement tools: The survey method
4. Management and data collection: postal survey, telephone interview, face to face interview,
new technologies
5. Developing Survey Questions including attitudinal measures
6. Preparing data for analysis

Cost
£115 (VAT not applicable)
What this training event covers?

1. Research Design in Qualitative Approaches to Research
2. Data collection methods in Qualitative research: Interviewing, focus groups and observation techniques
3. Starting out: key stages in designing an interview schedule
4. Starting out: key stages in a topic guide
5. Starting out: key stages in structuring observations
6. Managing the data collection process: practical tips

Cost £115 (VAT not applicable)
What this training event covers?

This is a more advanced survey method course that builds upon knowledge acquired in the Introduction to Quantitative Research design and methods course.

1. Quantitative data collection method
2. Sources of error in survey method
3. Developing good survey instruments and survey questions: from concepts to indicators to questions
4. Evaluating questions: pre-testing, piloting and review
5. New technologies: Developing questions for on-line surveys

Cost £115 (VAT not applicable)
Use of Evidence & Analysis: Dr Phil Davies presents on 1 Feb 2012
ANALYSIS & THE USE OF EVIDENCE: What's Available?

Analysis and the use of evidence is a key competency for civil servants through the Professional Skills for Government Framework, and it’s increasingly being recognised as important across all sectors. Tightened budgets call for robust decision-making and policy judgements need to be based on sound evidence more than ever.

Facilitated by Dr Phil Davies, Director at Oxford Evidentia – a research company specialising in making evidence accessible – and former Deputy Director of the Government’s Social Research Unit, this course looks at how individuals might use different types of evidence in their work, what constitutes high quality evidence and what are the best ways promote its use in policy.

Download a previous programme for this training.

Register Your Interest

To register your interest in SWO training courses, or to suggest possible future courses, fill in the form below and click submit. We will be in touch in due course with information on any future training events we think will be of interest. You should receive an automated email when you click submit; if you do not, please email! 

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Training 2013
I'm interested in »
Upcoming Courses
# Introductory Statistics - 27/06/2013
Examples of other training courses organised by SWO
Data Presentation & Visualisation

Customer Insight & Behaviour Change

Economics Demystified
Understanding & Influencing the Legislative Process

Use of data & information (bespoke, provided in-house for South West organisation)
What past participants have said

“Very clear presentation and patience in asking lots of questions”

“Excellent teaching – thank you!”

“Trainer developed a well put together session which was relevant to my current and future roles”