Good research starts before any data is collected, it begins with clear planning, justified decision making, understanding of the relative strengths and weaknesses of different approaches.
While we’re experts in delivering research end-to-end, we also know you may want to run the work internally, or commission another provider through a bids and tenders process. Our consultancy and planning support is ideal when you want a clear, credible research plan and brief before anyone starts collecting data.
What is research planning and consultancy?
Research planning and consultancy is aimed at helping you effectively design and plan your project. This service is for organisations and individuals who need to shape a research project properly so it answers the right question, uses the right methods, and produces findings you can actually use. We help you move from “we need to know X” to a clear, workable plan that your team (or another supplier) can carry out.
Sometimes this is a small one-off piece of work. Other times it’s a wider programme, where you need a plan that sets direction for multiple studies over time.
What can research planning and consultancy offer me?
A clear plan you can act on, usually including:
- a refined research question (and what decision it should inform)
- a recommended approach and methods, with a short rationale
- what data you need, where it will come from, and how it will be collected
- roles and responsibilities (what you’ll do internally vs what a supplier would do)
- a realistic timeline and resourcing outline
- a practical route from raw information to usable outputs (reports, briefings, dashboards, learning sessions)
The output can be a short design note, a full project plan, or a supplier-ready brief, depending on what you need.
When should I consider using research planning and consultancy?
You might consider research consultancy and planning when:
- you know you need evidence, but you’re not sure what to ask or how to approach it
- you’re worried about wasting time collecting the wrong information
- you need to justify a proposal to funders, leadership, or partners
- the work involves people, sensitive topics, or any safeguarding considerations
- you’re using a supplier and want to commission well (and compare bids fairly)
- you’ve tried data collection before and ended up with messy results or low response rates
- you’re planning something large and need a joined-up approach across several projects
A bit of upfront design often saves cost and stress later, and it makes the final findings more useful.
Research Planning stages
Our consultancy services can offer support for all aspects of research planning, including:
Clarifying the question and purpose
We help you pin down:
- what you really need to know
- who needs the answer and what decision it supports
- what “good evidence” looks like for your context
Choosing the right approach
We’ll recommend methods that fit your aims, resources, and setting, such as:
- surveys (quick reach, measurable patterns)
- interviews or focus groups (depth and experience)
- analysis of routine data (existing records, service data)
- mixed methods (a blend, when you need both reach and depth)
You don’t need to know research terms. We’ll translate options into plain choices and trade-offs.
Sampling and recruitment planning
Helping you develop a practical plan for:
- who you need to hear from (and who you don’t)
- how many participants makes sense
- how you’ll reach people and reduce drop-off
- inclusion and accessibility considerations
Measures and tools
We can support the selection or design of the materials people will use, for example:
- questionnaire design (clear questions, sensible length, tested wording)
- interview/topic guides that keep conversations focused
- outcome measures (simple and relevant, not over-engineered)
Ethics, consent, safeguarding, approvals
We help you plan safe and appropriate practice, including:
- consent processes and participant information
- managing sensitive topics and signposting support
- safeguarding and escalation routes (where relevant)
- mapping what approvals or governance steps you may need
Data management and GDPR planning
A sensible approach to:
- data storage, access, and retention
- anonymisation and confidentiality
- data sharing and third-party access
- basic documentation you can stand behind if asked
Analysis and reporting plan
We can help you understand what you’re working towards before you start:
- what you’ll look for in the data
- how you’ll compare groups or time points (if relevant)
- how qualitative feedback will be organised and interpreted
- what reporting formats will be most useful (briefings, slides, dashboards, learning summaries)
Supplier brief and procurement support
If you’re commissioning work, we can help you produce:
- a clear specification for suppliers
- questions to ask at tender stage
- an assessment / scoring framework
- a way to judge quality, not just price
If, after planning, you’d rather hand over delivery, we can do that too.
Finding out more
If you’re considering a research project and want to be confident you’re taking the right approach before you invest time or money, get in touch using the form below.
