IPEG is developing new and existing innovative research methodologies, including ‘Design Experiments’. These are a new form of policy evaluation that provide a unique method of dealing with difficult policy into practice issues, and which allows academics and practitioners to work alongside each other when implementing theory into practice with a given problem or situation. For example, design experiments could be applied to initiatives for implementing structures for providing new housing, or carry out effective neighbourhood management schemes.

Peter John and Gerry Stoker have prepared a paper which reviews the existing literature on design experiments, which is based on educational practice; defines the necessary conditions for a design experiment; proposes some modifications to the educational design model to help it apply to conditions outside the classroom; and compares and contrasts design experiments with another ‘real time’ method of evaluation, action research. The paper is available for download here.

IPEG is currently refining its methodologies through a couple of research projects led by Professor Peter John:

Drug Treatment from a Social Perspective: An Experimental Evaluation of Wigan Council's Intervention on the Trees Estate

Wigan MBC is collaborating with IPEG in a design experiment about a new initiative to combat substance misuse on one of its estates, by the alternative approach of building upon community relations. More information on this project can be found here.

Get the Vote Out Campaign

This project has tackled head on the issue of declining voter turn-out in the UK, and what can be done to reverse the trend. This research began by surveying voters in the constituency of Wythenshawe & Sale East just before the 2005 election. This project used a randomised controlled trial to assess the impact of individual-level interventions (door-to-door and telephone canvassing) in increasing voter turnout in the area being surveyed. There are plans to expand this project to incorporate wider areas, different levels of elections, and various types of interventions. More information on the Get Out The Vote campaign can be found here.

IPEG intends to pursue a wider research agenda around the theme of design experiments methodology through the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF) and the North West Improvement Network initiative.