Analysis
The organisations we work with have chosen to make people’s lives better based on information. Our job is to put the information through a series of checks so that we can find out what it is telling us. Below are some of the checks we use.
Economic analysis
| Cost benefit | for example, the return on investment in a service to help unemployed people back into work |
| Data envelopment | how organisations, for example hospitals, compare with each other in terms of their efficiency |
| Unit costing | the cost of a service per person |
| Financial modelling | applying accounting information to practical decisions |
Big Lottery Fund
Economic analysis of Realising Ambition
In 2015-17, in partnership with Dartington Social Research Unit, Aldaba did economic analyses of the 25 projects sponsored by Realising Ambition, a programme that supports vulnerable young people. Read our report
Department for Education
Children’s services: spending and delivery
In 2016-17, working with the Early Intervention Foundation, we did statistical analysis, and interviews to understand spending by children’s services. This was in the context of the spending review. Read our report; check our maps
Rotherham Borough Council
Cost efficiency of youth offending team
In 2017, we analysed the relationship between spending, and outcomes achieved by the youth offending team in Rotherham. This was between 2010-11 and 2014-15. Our findings helped understand value for money. Check our maps
Statistics
| Modelling | for example, to understand what would have happened if a service had not been put in place in an area |
| Segmentation | putting people into groups based on information so that organisations can do their work better |
| Regression | whether the changes in the numbers are the result of the work of the organisations, rather than just chance |
| Multi-level | how settings make a difference to the results organisations can achieve, for example variation across schools |
Action for Children
Children in need
In 2017, we looked into the characteristics of over one million referrals to children’s services that resulted in no further action, including those that got referred multiple times. Read our report; more
Department for Education
Children’s services: spending and delivery
In 2016-17, working with the Early Intervention Foundation, we did statistical analysis, and interviews to understand spending by children’s services. This was in the context of the spending review. Read our report; check our maps
Rotherham Borough Council
Cost efficiency of youth offending team
In 2017, we analysed the relationship between spending, and outcomes achieved by the youth offending team in Rotherham. This was between 2010-11 and 2014-15. Our findings helped understand value for money. Check our maps
Evaluative techniques
| Logic model | whether the way organisations, services and programmes are designed should make people’s lives better |
| Process mapping | how the transactions between those who are part of the process result in changes in people’s lives |
| Impact evaluation | the extent to which organisations actually make most people’s lives better, not just those of a few |
| Cost-benefit analysis | whether you get back more than you put in |
Local Authority
Expanded entitlement to free meals
In 2023-24, we evaluated the process and impact of giving free meals to pupils in secondary schools. This initiative targeted those just above the government’s eligibility threshold.
Department for Education
Strategic School Improvement Fund
In 2017, we evaluated the process for round one of this fund, whose aim was to improve school performance and pupil attainment. We did a document review, a school survey, and interviews with staff. Read our report
College of Policing
Outcome assessment of a police welfare service
In 2018, we assessed the outcomes of an independent welfare service. This included quantitative analysis of wellbeing questionnaires before and after participating in the service, and interviews with service users and staff. Read more
Qualitative techniques
| Synthesis | objective and balanced summary of qualitative information |
| Focus groups | highlighting disagreements and finding out about collective options through discussion |
| Structured interviews | experiences, views, and opinions of those using the services provided by organisations |
College of Policing
Systematic map of vulnerability
In 2016, we reviewed the international evidence on how police officers can get better at spotting signs, and understanding risks in relation to vulnerable people
Department for Education
Call for evidence on changes to sex and relationship education
In 2018, we analysed a random sample of 750 parents and 750 young persons out of over 18,000 online responses to the call. We did this by using content analysis. Our work helped to develop new guidance for schools. Read our report; more
Department for Education
Small rural primary schools
In 2019, we visited over 20 schools in rural England to find out about the challenges and opportunities they face. The focus was on finances, teacher development, and school improvement. Read our report