MRG Education Research
The Market Research Group (MRG) offers cost effective and unbiased educational research services to organisations from the smallest school to the largest university. These services are tailored to meet the particular research intelligence needs of each organisation.
The following summary offers examples of the Education Research available through the Market Research Group.
For Colleges and Universities.
Open Day Surveys -
Open Days offer an excellent chance for colleges and universities to promote themselves and their courses to prospective students. To help make the most of this opportunity, The Market Research Group offers comprehensive performance monitoring, to investigate the effectiveness of college and university Open Days, and to help identify ways in which the experience could be enhanced for future attendees.
Enquiry Handling Assessments -
When deciding upon a college or university, students will contact, and receive information from, a large number of institutions. This minimal contact will help to form the basis of their initial decisions. It is therefore of vital importance that each institution is able to make the most of this window of opportunity, by providing a swift, informative and welcoming response, which stands out from that of others. Using an observational ('mystery shopper') methodology, The Market Research Group is able to investigate the management of external enquiries at various institutions, with a view to enabling the process to be addressed and improved, for the benefit of both the institution and future enquirers.
E-learning Consultations -
E-Learning is the use of electronic and computer technologies in the process of learning, most commonly using network computers and the Internet. In many institutions, this is currently employed in an ad-hoc fashion despite recognition of the widespread benefits for both teaching and study. Through both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, The Market Research Group can investigate the question of future IT usage and application, to inform E-Learning strategy within higher education.
Branding / Image Studies -
In an increasingly competitive market, there is a growing need for colleges and universities to maintain a high level of recognition of both their reputation and umbrella brand. Through the use of both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, The Market Research Group is able to identify key perceptions, and to investigate how educational institutions can best promote themselves as a brand to industry, prospective students, and their advisors.
Website Surveys -
Owing to the substantial expansion of Internet usage in recent years, the website has become a key tool in the marketing and promotion of higher education choices, and in the provision of information and working facilities for all stakeholders. In order to increase efficiency, and to maximise usefulness to visitors, The Market Research Group is able to evaluate website performance and visitor profiles through the use of interactive surveys.
Alumni Surveys -
For Alumni Associations with a limited budget and unlimited membership, the Market Research Group’s surveys provide an excellent means of ensuring best value for both providers and their members. Through assessing the needs of Alumni, these surveys can help ensure that Associations focus on the issues that are most important, and continue to improve their services to members. They also provide an excellent means of updating information, and following the postgraduate progress of former students.
For Schools and Local Education Authorities.
Transition Surveys -
During their school career, a child will make a number of transitions in learning - with particular examples including the move from Foundation to Key Stage One, and from Primary into Secondary schooling. It is important that schools are able to offer effective assistance, to ease this daunting process for all their pupils. To enable future improvements, The Market Research Group's Transition Surveys follow the progress of pupils through the transitional period, offering insight into the preconceptions and retrospective views of both pupils and parents, and the effectiveness of current transition aids.
Special Education Needs -
The provision of support and co-ordination to staff, agencies and parents is vitally important for pupils with complex learning needs. Research and intelligence from The Market Research Group can furnish providers with hard data, concerning user views on activities, facilities and the overall assistance offered, in order to inform future service decisions.
Drugs Education Research -
In recent times, drugs education has become an increasingly important aspect of pastoral care in schools. In order to help tackle these issues, The Market Research Group is able to provide quantitative research into the extent of knowledge and use of drugs by schoolchildren, which can help to identify key areas of concern, and make future drugs strategies more efficient.
Best Value Assessment -
The Market Research Group is able to offer a full and comprehensive Best Value programme for Local Education Authorities. In addition, the Group has experience in the creation, maintenance, and use of Local Authority Youth Panels, for young people of both school and college age.
For Lifelong Learning.
Learner Attitudinal Change -
In addition to gaining qualifications and improving skills, those involved with learning would acknowledge that education can also provide the individual with a number of less tangible outcomes, which are often even more enduring. The Market Research Group can provide qualitative and quantitative research to assess how the experience and processes of learning can affect the everyday lives of those involved.
Community Learning -
To encourage further participation in education throughout the local community, providers need to be aware of local demand for specific services, and the commitment required in terms of local resources. The Market Research Group's Community Learning research can be particularly useful in the development and promotion of local learning provision, through the identification of need and motivation to learn.
Learner Satisfaction Surveys -
Learner Satisfaction Surveys enable organisations to monitor the effectiveness of their tuition, the levels of enjoyment achieved, and an indication of future learning potential. This can be particularly useful for independent adult learning providers, who need to quantify evidence for future funding applications.
While we feel that the unique nature of our organisation gives our research objectivity, we work in close partnership with our clients to provide them with tailored solutions, not just results.
If you would like further information about our Education research please contact John Brackstone Projects Manager Tel: 01202 963871.