Research

Our varied portfolio of research informs and influences the nature of services and community support with the aim of promoting inclusive lives. We provide knowledge, evidence and learning to enable us (and our partners) to work towards a society where all people, regardless of age or disability, are valued and able to live the life they choose.

Our approach is outcomes and values-focused and we seek to produce robust, yet actionable and timely research. As with our other work at NDTi, coproduction is central to our approach and we work with a range of stakeholders at all stages, from research design through delivery to dissemination. We work alongside and support the participation of a variety of partners and community members, including autistic people, people with learning disabilities, those with mental health challenges, younger and older people. We refer to these contributors as people with lived experience or Experts by Experience. It is important to us that people who use services and supports have a say as research partners as well as participants, that their voices and experiences are reflected in our work and that the issues and outcomes we capture are meaningful to them.

We conduct a broad range of short- and long-term research projects that includes:

• Evidence and literature reviews
• Qualitative research including interviews, focus groups and observations
• Quantitative surveys and analysis
• Participatory research
• Desk-based research including documentary analysis and secondary data analysis
• Producing and sharing findings in a range of accessible and creative ways