National Centre for Research Methods: impact assessment report 2020-2025

Abstract

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.

This Impact Assessment Report 2025 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.

This report presents this comprehensive and robust body of evidence that demonstrates the breadth, depth and quality of the following impacts. In summary:
1. NCRM is a central provider of inclusive, accessible and affordable training, events and resources on social science research methods in the UK.
2. NCRM is unique in its adaptability and agility in meeting the range of different social science research methods TCB needs across and beyond the UK.
3. NCRM equips and supports researchers from across the career life-course to translate methodological expertise into real-world benefits.
4. NCRM is a cohesive force – taking up a central role and position within the social sciences research methods landscapes, offering training that crosses and bridges methodological divides.
5. NCRM’s role and position provides a strong contribution to institutional, interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral capacity building, innovation and the shaping of future research methods and skills in the UK and beyond, providing also strategic leadership.
6. NCRM’s provision of high-quality, accessible research methods training is a benchmark for excellence and supports the ESRC and UKRI ambition to build world-class research capability.

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Identifiers

ORCID for Rose Lindsey: orcid.org/0000-0001-7271-9186

ORCID for James Hall: orcid.org/0000-0001-8002-0922

ORCID for Gabriele Durrant: orcid.org/0009-0001-3436-1512

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