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Research and evaluation

Research and evaluation

Research and evaluation are an important part of the work of HLF, providing the evidence base for our strategies and policy making. Our evaluation work spans the very wide range of Government Policy Directions which we have to take into account:

the needs of the national heritage and priorities for addressing them

the need to ensure all parts of the United Kingdom have access to funding

the scope for reducing economic and social deprivation at the same time as creating heritage benefits

the need to promote access, for people from all sections of society, to the UK’s wide ranging heritage

the need to promote knowledge of and interest in the heritage by children and young people

the need to further the objectives of sustainable development

Our research and evaluation covers the full cycle from opinion research and assessing the needs of different heritage sectors, through to evaluation of HLF performance, and then evaluating the environmental, social and economic impacts of HLF programmes and projects.

We involve a range of groups and individuals in a variety of ways through our research agenda which, from time to time, includes asking for your views about the activities and work we undertake.

Types of research undertaken
Opinion research
Public opinion research is one of the methods we use to understand the points-of-view and expectations of a range of its stakeholders and audiences. The use of public opinion research allows us to consult with and engage people in the fields of communications, policies and programme development, as well as in the evaluation of its services.

Needs assessment
The DCMS Policy direction B(i) asks us to take into account “their assessment of the needs of the national heritage and their priorities for the time being for addressing them”. Therefore HLF is committed to working with other sectors on a range of research that investigates the needs of the heritage. We believe that responsibility for defining the needs of the sector should remain with the lead policy bodies. In 2004 and 2005 we worked with a range of sectors to develop a picture of need.

Evaluation of HLF grant-giving operations
We undertake a wide range of evaluations of its grant-giving operations that include customer satisfaction surveys and applicant feedback surveys.

HLF Impact evaluation
We undertake a range of evaluation studies that explore the impact of our funding. These evaluations focus on the impact of our different funding programmes and include investigating the social, economic, environmental and educational benefits.

Best practice and innovation
This research focuses on drawing out lessons from past experience to help applicants, improve our own practice and support the sector as a whole.

Research Programme and Strategy

HLF is committed to research that helps us to deliver our strategic goals, creates an evidence base for our policies and explores the impact and benefits of our funding. We also use the results to inform policy advice, training, responses to government, briefings and dialogue with other organisations.

Research Projects by year

2007/08