Introduction/Overview
Inclusive social research practice is high on the industry agenda, but it can be hard to separate the theory from tangible and practical action.
This course provides participants with an in-depth introduction to the core principles of designing and conducting inclusive research as well as why research practice needs to evolve before going on to cover how participants can embed inclusive research principles into both qualitative and quantitative methodologies.
It covers the importance of a human-first approach, how to establish trust and work in partnership in order vital to the process of undertaking inclusive research. As well, the course will cover the practical elements of undertaking inclusive research from defining the research problem to disseminating research findings inclusively. We’ll also explore the practical challenges faced by researchers.
Case studies are used throughout to enable participants to apply the learning to live projects, with a deep dive on question design and sampling as two of the most common areas impacted by (a lack of) inclusion.
By the end of the course, participants will gain a good understanding of how to practically embed inclusive research principles into their day-to-day work.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, participants should be able to:
- Explain inclusive research principles for both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies
- Understand the importance of empathy, bias, language and trust-building in the research process
- Account for the contemporary discussion around inclusion feature in research process and how this may help or hinder the research process
- Apply the appropriate techniques to ensure greater inclusion in research practice and outcomes.
Recognise exclusionary research practices and learn how to avoid them in research design and delivery
- Understand the principles and importance of equitable co-creation approaches to research
- Understand specific inclusive tools and techniques to apply in the research process
- Develop an inclusive research plan including research questions and sampling frames; and to design inclusive survey questions that relate to identifying and describing underrepresented communities
Topics
- Inclusive research principles
- Social and cultural bias
- Using inclusive language to define and describe underrepresented communities today, including: disabled communities, LGBTQIA+ communities, religious communities, minoritised ethnic communities, global majority communities and socioeconomically-disadvantaged communities
- Exclusionary and extractive research practices to avoid
- Inclusive practices in the research process to adopt, e.g. when contracting with the client, consent and incentive structures
- Co-creation best practice
- Advocating for inclusive research practice the opportunities and challenges
Who will benefit
You will find this course valuable if you:
- Commission research and want to ensure the approaches are as inclusive as possible
- Are a hands-on qualitative and/or quantitative researcher in a research agency or freelance setting
- Have responsibility for embedding inclusive practice in research environments, e.g. research agencies, in-house insights teams, marcomms agencies, government, charities
Course tutors
Dr Nena Foster is Founder and Director at Circle. Inclusion Consultancy and leads inclusion learning programmes with multinational client partners. She brings over 20 years’ experience in research and evaluation, training and ED&I across commercial, public and academic sectors. She’s published on social inclusion/exclusion in research with underrepresented groups and taught University-level research methods.
Hannah Marcus is a qualitative and cultural researcher at Common-Collective, a social and impact focused research collective which funds the charity Talking Taboos. Hannah is focused on creative and inclusive research design, with experience using digital methodologies to reach hidden voices on taboo topics.
This course contributes 6 hours to the MRS CPD programme
Looking to book for four or more people from your organisation? Contact [email protected] to ask about our in-house courses.