This conference collection brings together practical tips and advice on reaching different target groups, having productive conversations with your audience and more.

It’s usually not cost-effective or practical to collect and examine all the data available. It is often necessary to draw a sample of information from the whole population to enable the detailed examination required to take place. Sampling provides a means of gaining information about the population without the need to examine the population in ... Read more

US-based arts marketing blogger Chad Bauman reminds us that a combination of market research and data analysis prevent us from having to guess at our marketing strategies.

Katie Anderson, Marketing Director at Warwick Arts Centre gave AMA conference 2013 delegates an outline of what they’ve been doing about bringing research into the day-to-day operation at Warwick Arts Centre over the last couple of years.

How can we develop a deeper understanding of what motivates people to attend or take part in arts and cultural events? Mary Butlin showed AMA conference 2013 delegates how to implement a low-cost research programme to understand audience motivations and shared expertise from a variety of settings for organisations of all sizes.  Helen Jones from ... Read more

This article was first published on Research Access.  It discusses how the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam is using the findings of a deep research exercise to move away from trying to ‘be all things to all people’.  The article makes reference to a presentation made by the Van Gogh Museum and TNS NIPO at ... Read more

Keep up to speed with current industry debate on big data and research with this article by Colin Strong, Managing Director, GfK NOP Business & Technology. This article was first published by In Brief, the magazine of the Association of Qualitative Research.

Tash Walker, Partner and Co-Founder of research agency The Mix, argues in her article A bad case of research myopia that single approach research methodologies are not always the way to go. So, if you’re planning on investing in some primary research, particularly qualitative research, have a read. It might just make you stop and think ... Read more

An essential guide to getting the best out of qualitative research – an alternative approach to the commissioning process.

Helpful advice, resources and pointers for those who a) haven’t got budget to buy in research or evaluation support, b) haven’t any in-house experts or c) haven’t a clue where to start!

A straightforward guide with information and tips to help you make the most of working with external research suppliers, from making the decision to outsource through to closing the project. This guide, by market research consultants Ruthless Research, is designed to help charities and other not-for-profit organisations to commission and manage external research and evaluation ... Read more

In this short article, Ruth Stevenson of Ruthless Research considers whether it is ever acceptable to break the ‘golden rule’ of questionnaire consistency when designing tracking surveys.

Many arts and cultural organisations utilise research and evaluation to enable them to make evidence-based decisions, and this often includes the use of audience or member surveys, or feedback forms, to gather information. In this short article, research consultant Ruth Stevenson discusses the merits of carefully designed, concise questionnaires and the benefits for the researcher and ... Read more

This is a short guide to focus groups and in-depth interviews, the role of the researcher in moderating a discussion or interview and some considerations for qualitative research analysis. This toolkit is the final in a series of seven toolkits designed to provide an introduction to market research – whilst acting as a handy refresher ... Read more

This toolkit offers an ‘at a glance’ guide to the different types of questions you might include in a quantitative questionnaire. This toolkit is the sixth in a series of seven toolkits designed to provide an introduction to market research – whilst acting as a handy refresher for experienced marketers.

Thinking of designing your own survey? This short guide offers tips to ensure you get the most out of your survey, some useful ‘don’ts’ and some tips on question order. This toolkit is the fifth in a series of seven toolkits designed to provide an introduction to market research – whilst acting as a handy ... Read more

This is a short guide to online qualitative research.  It offers a list of the pros and cons of online focus groups and interviews.  This toolkit is the fourth in a series of seven toolkits designed to provide an introduction to market research – whilst acting as a handy refresher for experienced marketers.

This is a short guide to the benefits of online quantitative research, when to use it and tips for getting the most out of online surveys.  This toolkit is the third in a series of seven toolkits designed to provide an introduction to market research – whilst acting as a handy refresher for experienced marketers.

This is a brief guide to help you decide when to use quantitative research and when to use qualitative research.  This toolkit is the second in a series of seven toolkits designed to provide an introduction to market research – whilst acting as a handy refresher for experienced marketers.

This is an ‘at a glance’ overview of the procedures to follow when commissioning market research; a handy checklist to keep by your desk, or on the wall to make the research process simpler.  This toolkit is the first in a series of seven toolkits designed to provide an introduction to market research – whilst ... Read more