We develop and carry out bespoke research in the public and voluntary sectors, often as the foundation for an influencing campaign or to help policy makers make decisions about what is best for specific groups.
We work collaboratively with organisations to ensure that the research is ethical and rigorous, as well as useful and timely.
As a committed specialist in the children and young people’s sector, we offer a range of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.
Our evaluations often begin by co-producing a theory of change. We have used this approach for the past 15-years and have found that a shared theory of change helps organisations to be clear from the outset about the outcomes they want to achieve and the milestones they need to reach along the way. This also helps the evaluation measure what really matters to stakeholders.
We often use a mixed method approach, as most organisations need both numbers and stories to demonstrate their impact. However, the exact methods selected depend on the specific context and the type of information required, and having a bespoke evaluation framework helps this process.
Co-produced research involving peer researchers is a powerful way to ensure that diverse perspectives and voices are heard.
Peer researchers have important insights into their own environments, and due to shared knowledge, language, experiences and meaning are well placed to build rapport with other people, which can prove invaluable to data collection and analysis.
We have extensive experience of facilitating peer-led research in a multitude of formats (e.g. online, face-to-face and blended delivery), including longer-term projects over six months, as well as short ‘micro’ projects that can be delivered across two days.
Regardless of duration and format, all training sessions are creative, interactive and participatory, with an emphasis on ‘learning by doing’.
As a learning partner, we can lead a process of ongoing reflection and learning for organisations to reflect on programme strengths, explore challenges and come up with actionable solutions in a supportive space.
We collaborate with organisations to, for example, co-produce a theory of change or their vision statement, facilitate reflection days and carry out stakeholder reviews.
We are highly experienced in engaging children and young people in conversations about issues that matter to them.
We have, for example, developed observational and creative research methods to talk with young children about their food choices, as well as interviewed young survivors about their experiences of disclosing sexual abuse.
The key to always to ensure that children and young people understand the research and are able to give their informed consent before participating in research activities.
Where possible we use creative methods as this can facilitate conversations, stimulate thoughts and break down barriers.
As members of the Social Research Association (SRA), Ludvigsen McMahon adheres to the SRA’s Research Ethics Guidance (PDF, 609kb), and we work hard to ensure that all research activities are carried out to the highest ethical standards to protect participants and their data.
We view safeguarding as fundamental to upholding children’s rights to safety and protection from harm. For each project we undertake, we produce a bespoke ethical protocol, and where needed we have experience of submitting successful applications to research ethic committees (e.g. university & voluntary sector research ethic committees).
Research and evaluation is about partnership, and working alongside our partners we aim to facilitate learning and reflective practice in a collaborative manner, as well as evidence change.
Creativity forms a cornerstone in all our work, and we use creative approaches with children and adults to break down barriers and facilitate conversations. Our ‘toolkit’ of creative methods, includes methods such as object- and photo elicitation, podcasting, diaries, collaging and zine making.
Working inclusively is central to us. We have supported people with a range of lived experiences to participate in (and lead) research and evaluation activities. Working in a flexible manner, offering choice and recognising intersectional experiences are important to us.
We strongly believe that written outputs should be concise, clear and readable – and always produced with the intended audience in mind, whether they are policy makers, young people, funders or frontline workers.
“Thank you so much for all your hard work. We are so pleased with the report, findings and the nurture ethos that flows through it all.”
“Your excellent report has really encouraged everyone so much. Who would have thought that evidencing positive outcomes for young people would be so encouraging… We are so impressed that we are going to carry on evaluating!”
“With the last official day of the project today, I just wanted to thank you for all of your help and advice throughout – it has really been invaluable and shaped everything we were able to carry out in this project.”
Ludvigsen McMahon is a social research consultancy established in 2015 by Dr Anna Ludvigsen offering high quality research and evaluation.
Working with the voluntary sector, we provide bespoke research and independent evaluations across the UK, focusing primarily on children, young people and their families.
Our interdisciplinary team has extensive experience of both qualitative and quantitative methods, with a focus on engaging young participants in research. We have particular expertise in – and passion for – participatory, peer-led and inclusive approaches.
If you would like to know more about what we do, we would love to hear from you.
Get in touch with Anna Ludvigsen on 01273 833 751
or via email hello@ludvigsenmcmahon.com
