How research can improve local government

Councils are responsible for delivering a wide range of services that affect how we all live, work and play. From ensuring everyone has access to transport and housing, to master planning public realm and shaping neighbourhoods, councils are constantly making important place-shaping decisions to improve their communities.

Research can provide valuable insights to inform decision making. But not all research is equal. Poorly executed surveys can lead to implementation of initiatives, plans or policies that are not fit-for-purpose. Conversely, good quantitative research can provide valuable insights that enable councils to make well-informed, data-driven decisions regarding their current or future projects and initiatives, that benefits their community and ratepayers.

Research can be expensive and labour-intensive to undertake. For example, the cost of quantitative research via surveys can be high due to the need to have large representative sample sizes, the design and distribution of survey instruments, and the processing and analysis of large datasets. Additionally, the time required to plan and design surveys, collect responses, and derive actionable insights can strain limited internal resources.

Finding cost-effective methods for conducting quantitative research is essential for councils aiming to achieve optimal results from research efforts while staying within budget constraints.

Here are some tips on how Councils can optimise their quantitative research:

Identify the purpose

Define the problem/issue

The first step in any research process is to clearly define the problem or issue at hand. In doing so, the exact purpose of the survey can be defined, and no time is wasted on inefficient data collection practices. Whether it’s understanding community satisfaction with public services, evaluating the impact of a new policy, or gauging community sentiment toward a proposed initiative, a well-defined problem sets the stage for effective research.