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ISBN 0 7559 2661 7 (Web only publication)

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Introduction

Social researchers in the Finance and Central Services Department's Analytical Services Division ( FCSDASD) manage and undertake research and analysis in the following areas:

• Fresh Talent
• International Links and Promotion of Scotland
• Europe
• Local Government
• Public Services Reform
• Efficient Government

The research is intended to inform policy development and implementation and evaluate the impact of policy. Much of the Department's research is commissioned by way of selective competitive tender. Most often this occurs through the issue of invitations to a selected number of contractors to bid for a contract on the basis of a specification setting out the particular requirement for the work.

The 2005-06 Research Programme sets out those areas that may require externally commissioned research. The exact focus and timing of research is influenced by policy requirements and will be determined in consultation with policy colleagues. New priorities may emerge in the course of the year and, as a result, the Department may withdraw projects and/or include new projects in the Research Programme.

NEW PROJECTS FOR 2005-06

Fresh Talent
Fresh Talent Evaluation

An evaluation of the first two years of the Fresh Talent Initiative, covering all strands of the Initiative including the Relocation Advisory Service; the Working in Scotland Scheme; the Scottish International Scholarship Programme; the Dare to be Digital Programme and the work placement programme co-ordinated by Scottish Networks International. It will seek to assess the impact to date of the FT initiative as a whole - against the high level Executive target "to attract and retain high numbers of people from out with Scotland".

Status: Due to be commissioned in October 2005
Contact: Irene Coll ( Irene.Coll@scotland.gsi.gov.uk)

Monitoring and evaluation of the Pilot Relocation Advisory Service:

Building on a project commissioned in 2004/05, this research will address the second and third year of the pilot RAS. It will build on the Evaluation of the first year of RAS and will take into account developments to the RAS concept and Fresh Talent developments more widely (such as the Working in Scotland Scheme).

Status: Due to be commissioned in September 2005
Contact: Irene Coll ( Irene.Coll@scotland.gsi.gov.uk)

Experience of People Who Relocate to Scotland

To explore the factors that have helped people access employment opportunities and otherwise settle into Scottish life, including understanding the positive experiences and/or barriers encountered in getting work and settling. The research will explore the experience of people who have relocated to Scotland as the FT Initiative develops. For example it will include the experience of those, post summer 2005, who have successfully applied for the Leave to Remain Scheme. The research specification will build on the research proposal scheduled for 2004/05, which has been postponed following unsuitable bids from contractors.

Status: Due to be commissioned in July 2005
Contact: Irene Coll ( Irene.Coll@scotland.gsi.gov.uk)

INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Perceptions of Scotland as a leading small nation

Research to benchmark perceptions of Scotland as a leading small nation with key institutions. The focus will be on institutions with: an international development/aid locus; a European focus; an economic focus. It will explore the impact of specific programmes and initiatives such as Global Friends of Scotland, Fresh Talent; the Scotland and Africa Programme, and the International Branding Strategy.

Status: Due to be commissioned in October 2005
Contact: Kesi Mahendran ( Kesini.Mahendran@scotland.gsi.gov.uk)

EUROPE

Opportunities for Scotland from EU enlargement

An exploration of the prospective outcomes for Scotland in the enlarged Europe. The first stage of the analysis would consider where Scotland might be in Europe by 2010/2012 and what this might mean for Scotland in policy terms. The second stage would look at the scale of opportunities for Scotland across the enlarged Europe of 2010 - both business opportunities and more generically in terms of engagement, promotion, Fresh Talent and would identify where within the wider Europe these opportunities might lie.

Status: Due to be commissioned in October 2005
Contact: Kesi Mahendran ( Kesini.Mahendran@scotland.gsi.gov.uk)

LOCAL GOVERNANCE

Evaluation of Council By-Election Pilots

There is a Ministerial requirement to independently evaluate each election pilot, such as electronic counting, using both public surveys and reviewing local government processes. We propose to establish a framework research contract with a number of contractors to provide flexibility to respond, as and when a by-election occurs.

Status: Due to be commissioned in August 2005.
Contact: Iain MacAllister ( Iain.MacAllister@scotland.gsi.gov.uk)

Attitudes to Councillor Remuneration

A public opinion survey of attitudes towards councillor remuneration, severance pay etc. to inform the work of the Scottish Local Authorities Remuneration Committee ( SLARC). SLARC is a statutory Committee set up under the provisions of the Local Governance (Scotland) Act. Its remit is to provide advice to Ministers on all aspects of councillor remuneration, taking into account legally-binding criteria set by Ministers

Status: Commissioned.
Contact: Iain MacAllister ( Iain.MacAllister@scotland.gsi.gov.uk)

Councillors' Weight of Responsibility Analysis

The analysis, commissioned on behalf of SLARC, will describe, assess and compare the different weight of responsibility required of councillors of varying levels of seniority in successfully discharging their particular responsibilities or duties of office.

Status: Commissioned.
Contact: Iain MacAllister ( Iain.MacAllister@scotland.gsi.gov.uk)

Survey of Scottish Councillors' Workload

The survey, commissioned for SLARC, will gather data on the current (and anticipated future) workload of Scottish councillors of varying levels of seniority and across different local authority types.

Status: Commissioned.
Contact: Iain MacAllister ( Iain.MacAllister@scotland.gsi.gov.uk)

Progress on widening access/remuneration

A review of local authorities' progress in preparing job descriptions, professional guidelines, induction guides etc. for prospective councillors prior to the 2007 election. This information is likely to be gathered through a survey of local authorities (possibly attached to an existing survey), or by means of an information exchange and best practice seminar.

Status: Due to be commissioned in December 2005.
Contact: Iain MacAllister ( Iain.MacAllister@scotland.gsi.gov.uk)

Public Attitudes Towards Local Funding Options

A variety of research and analytical activities (including an opinion survey and deliberative focus groups) to explore public understanding of local funding issues and attitudes towards local taxation options. This research will support the work of the Local Government Finance Review Committee.

Status: Due to be commissioned in July 2005.
Contact: Stephen Sinclair ( Stephen.Sinclair@scotland.gsi.gov.uk)

PUBLIC BODIES

Survey of Public Attitudes Towards Conduct in Public Life: Scottish Boost

FCSD has contributed to a forthcoming survey to be commissioned by the Committee on Standards in Public Life exploring public attitudes towards and priorities regarding the conduct of public bodies' members. The survey will be extended to include public perceptions in Scotland of ethical standards among MSPs and the members of other public organisations. This information will inform the review of the Codes of Conduct in Scotland in 2006.

Status: Commissioned.
Contact: Stephen Sinclair ( Stephen.Sinclair@scotland.gsi.gov.uk)

EFFICIENT GOVERNMENT

Interactive digital TV ( iDTV) Pilot - Review

A number of research activities to evaluate the processes involved in and outcomes of the recent iDTV pilot. The evaluation will analyse partners' experiences and the views of iDTV users, using interviews with partner agencies, take-up data, and customer feedback focus groups. This review will be co-ordinated with a separate analysis of the technical options and platforms available for future developments in iDTV and related media.

Status: Commissioned
Contact: Stephen Sinclair ( Stephen.Sinclair@scotland.gsi.gov.uk)

Assessment Of Modernising Government Fund ( MGF) - Smartcard

The research will provide a national assessment of the extent to which the Smartcard is meeting its expected outcomes. It will examine the reward systems in place and whether (and how) they encourage behaviour change, such as impact on healthy eating, influencing school attendance and library usage. It will report on the impact that the most developed Smartcard applications used by local authorities have on users in their areas.

Status: Due to be commissioned in September 2005.
Contact: Stephen Sinclair ( Stephen.Sinclair@scotland.gsi.gov.uk)

Evaluation Of Modernising Government Fund 2 and MGF/ EGF analysis

A summary of the lessons from the evaluations of the various projects in the second round of the MGF. This will draw together the common themes and other issues raised in the individual project evaluations, developing upon projects' own monitoring and evaluation procedures. This will inform a separate analysis of the third MGF round; together these will underpin the development of an evaluation framework for the new combined MG/ EGF fund.

Status: Due to be commissioned in September 2005.
Contact: Stephen Sinclair ( Stephen.Sinclair@scotland.gsi.gov.uk)

Shared Services Visioning Exercise

A review and think-piece on public sector visions of possible models for the future development of shared services. The work would involve consultancy with the public sector organisations, preceded by analysis drawing upon existing research to identify potential models of shared services, key drivers, potential barriers etc.

Status: Due to be commissioned in 2005.
Contact: Stephen Sinclair ( Stephen.Sinclair@scotland.gsi.gov.uk)

PUBLICATIONS FROM 2004/05 RESEARCH PROGRAMME

Small Business Rates Relief Scheme
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/finance/eisbrs-00.asp

Comparative Analysis of Cities
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/europe/csc-00.asp

Colinton All-Postal Vote Pilot Scheme
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2005/05/31105315/53167

GUIDANCE FOR POTENTIAL CONTRACTORS

Expressions of Interest

Contractors who wish to be considered for inclusion on tender lists for any of the new projects outlined in this report are invited to complete and submit the attached "Expression of Interest" form for each project. Expressions of Interest should not be submitted for projects that are identified as out to tender, or that have already been awarded.

Expressions of interest will be considered in the process of drawing up a short list, usually of between 3 and 6 names depending on the nature of the project and the extent of expertise amongst potential contractors. Further information is not gathered from potential contractors for the process of drawing up a short list.

As the number of expressions of interest may exceed the number of contractors who will be invited to tender, an expression of interest should not be taken as a guarantee of inclusion in the list. The Department will not inform the contractors who are not invited to tender for a specific project.

Invitations to Tender

An invitation to tender will be accompanied by a specification of the proposed research. The specification will usually set out the background to the requirement, the aims, what contractors are expected to provide in the tender and a date for receipt of tenders. The standard conditions governing the contract are also provided.

Assessment of Tenders

Tenders will be assessed by research managers and policy representatives. Overall assessment will be concerned with value for money taking account of the quality and cost of contractor's proposals. In particular assessment will focus on:

• the contractor's understanding of the Department's requirements and the research brief;
• experience, knowledge and skills in this and related fields;
• capability in all necessary technical aspects of the work;
• the appropriateness of the proposed methodology, output and timetable;
• arrangements for managing the research including quality control mechanisms;
• the proposed costs and distribution of resources.

Awarding of Contracts

The assessment of tenders normally results in the selection of a preferred tender, although the Department is not bound to accept any tender. On occasion, some researchers are invited to make a presentation on their proposals to the Department to assist in the assessment. The successful tenderer then finalises a formal contract with the Department. All tenderers are informed of the outcome in writing.

Publication

An important part of the work associated with the research programme is the dissemination of research findings both internally and externally. Internally, this work is carried out by researchers within the Department who seek to make sure policy colleagues are fully aware of the implications of the research and how it can inform the development of policy and ultimately improve the quality and delivery of services.

While external publication of research is subject to Ministerial decision, there is a presumption that research commissioned by the Scottish Executive will be published with due regard to ethical issues including confidentiality and data protection. The Department seeks to ensure that research results are published in a clear and accessible style and are made available to organisations and individuals outwith the Scottish Executive for whom they may have important policy and practice lessons and more generally to inform the debate on public policy issues related to the work of the Department. Most commissioned research is published in summary and full report formats in the Scottish Executive's Social Research series. These publications are available in paper versions and are freely available in electronic format on the Scottish Executive Social Research website at www.scotland.gov.uk/socialresearch.

Contact Point

Enquiries about projects relating to International links, Europe, Fresh Talent should be addressed to: Irene Coll ( Tel: 0131 244 7109; E-mail: Irene.Coll@scotland.gsi.gov.uk)

Enquiries about projects on local governance, local democracy, public services reform, and Efficient Government and should be addressed to: Stephen Sinclair ( Tel: 0131 244 4943; E-mail: Stephen.Sinclair@scotland.gsi.gov.uk)

Enquiries about the broad scope of the research programme, aspects of commissioning, contract conditions and publications should be addressed to: Stephen Sinclair, Principal Researcher, FCSD Analytical Services Division, 2-J, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ. ( Tel: 0131-244 4943); E-mail: Stephen.Sinclair@scotland.gsi.gov.uk)

Finance and Central Services Department Research Programme 2005-06

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

Expression of Interest Form

Please send completed forms to:

FCSD Analytical Services Division, Scottish Executive, Area 2-J Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ.
Telephone No: 0131-244 4943 Fax: 0131-244 7573.

This form can also be e-mailed to: fcsdresearch@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

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